Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-01-26
MR.. CALvERTs FRAILTY.
CHAPTER I.

CHAPTER i.
The attention which Mr.. Calvert paid to Mary
Faber when he met her at Eastbourne was to a
certain extent excusable; because, though
nothing had resulted from their acquaintance
excepta Irritation. his intentions had originally
been of a serious kind. 1t was only after he
had pondered over the question often and anx-
iously that he had come to the conclusion that
marriage was impossible. He had no private
means, and il he relinquished his fellowship
his income derived from tuition would not suf-
fee to maintain a wife in comfort. It is true
that by devoting more time to lecturing and
private pupils he might materially have in
creased his earnings; but Mr.. Calvert had
scarcely contemplated this STEP as he could not
give up those studies which now occupied his
| leisure, and which were to crown his brilliant
scholarship. If the young lady had only had
! little money of her own all would have been
| right; but Colonel Faber. who wore his heart
| upon his sleeve. and was too honest for this
world, as soon as he noticed Mr. Calverts par
tialIty for his daughter, contrived to let him
know that she would have no dowry.
So after having been inmates of the same
boarding establishment for several weeks they
Dade each other farewell. The parting seemed
commonplace enough. vet Mr.. Calvert felt
much detected, and there was a slight tremor
| IN the girls voice as she said goodbye.
Mary taber could scarcely be called pretty.
but she had bright, sympathetic expression.
winch was very attractive. She was twenty,
but being rather small she looked year
younger; She was very intelligent, and but for
somewhat school-girlish manner might have
| been termed Intellectual
Mr.. Calvert, on leaving Eastbourne, had re-
solved to forget her, but ne did not find this
| process so easy as he had supposed Many a
| in no n IF 10
studies, the last tremulous accents of her voice
required to the scholar and filed him with
self-upbraidings; and sometimes. in moments
OF loneliness or detection. his thoughts were
frightened by the memory of her tender eyes.
| CHAPTER H.
Among the means of emoument open to the
young fellow of Merton was to work as exam
! lner. He was one of the moderators in the
Honor school, and had recently been appointed
classical examiner at St. Margarets college,
Manchester. This institution had just been
founded by the munifcent donations of the
| merchants and manufacturers of Lancashire
| Tor the higher education of women. It was the
| end OF the first academical year that Mr.. Cal
vert was to enter upon his duties, and for this
| purpose he left Oxford for the north one day
| in the beginning of May. 1t was only in Latin
that he was to examine the students of St.
Margarets, as the directors had only been feel
| ing their way for the first year, and had not
| included Greek in the curriculum, although it
inquired conspicuously in the prospectus which
had been issued for the following year.
Mr.. Calvert was glad that the examination
was to be conducted by paper work only, and
| that there was no viva voce, as he would have
shrunk from testing separately hundred young
| ladies in classical lore.
On the evening of his arrival in Manchester
Mr.. Calvert was seated in private room of the
| chief hotel IN the suburb where st. Margarets
| was situated He had dned. and was Just
about to begin some important writing. on
| account of which he had secured his retire.
ment. He had scarcely put pen to paper, how
ever. ere he was interrupted. A servant en-
| tered to tell him lady had called who wished
to see him if he were disengaged.
'There must be a mistake" said Mr. Calvert
with some impatlence; Il am not the person
| she DESIRES"
''she is young lady, sir" said the man in a
| smooth tone
"Then that settles the question" responded
MIR. Calvert energetically, las know no young
| ladies here, and there is no young lady whom 1
know who would call on me at hotel"
- am sorry have made mistake, SIR" re-
| piled the man, although he felt confident that
he had made no mistake. But as he had sup
posed that the young lady had called by ap-
| pointment, he had omitted to ask for her name,
and he went off for that purpose. Presently
| he returned bearing small tray. At this sec
ond interruption Mr.. Calvert was about to utter
an angry exclamation, when the servant said:
The lady has sent her card, sir, and would
like, If possible, to see you alone"
Mr.. Calverts brow contracted and his lips
frightened as he took the card; but on glancing
at 1t his features suddenly relaxed, becoming
| first red and then pale. He rose and placed
one of his hands on the back of a chair, as
though he needed some support.
"Shall l show the lady up, sir p asked the
man confidently.
Mr.. Calvert gave assent in scarcely audible
voice, and remained motionless, as though in a
dream, while he read again and again the name,
| Miss MARY FABER."
While he stood lost in wonder suddenly he
became conscious OF a presence that thrilled
| him, and, looking up, he saw girl entering
the room. He knew it was Mary, and advance
ing mechanically, he took her hand, but,
| owing to her dress he almost failed to recog-
nize her at first. She had very school-girlish
appearance. She had on a thick jacket, which
seemed to lessen her height, and en- old-fash-
Toned. Quaker-like bonnet, instead of making
her look older, had an opposite effect. She
was 5lushing painfully, and was evidently
! nervous and excited.
Miss Faber!" exclaimed Mr.. Calvert in a
tone that expressed his establishment, II am
very pleased to see you. Is there anything
am able to do for you?'
''Oh yes. great DEAL" was the quickly
spoken reply:
pray, sit down, Miss Faber."
"Oh, no." replied the girl, II mustn't stay,
and do hope you'll forgive me for coming.
as know that what am doing and am going
to ask you is wrong, dreadfully wrong Moth,
ing, believe me, Mr.. Calvert but necessity
would have brought me here can't explain
| everything, but if you only knew Will you
please help me?''
'If it lies in my power to benefit you in any
way you may rely on my assistance"
"1ou promise?" Since she had entered the
room the old tender expression that had
haunted Mr.. Calvert SO often during the winter
had come into her eyes, and now at his kindly
spoken words they were filled with tears As
he looked at her he fervently hoped that he
should be able to do her the service which she
had come to seek.
Il promise" he answered emphatically, II
shall aid you in whatever way lies in my
power"
Then" rejoined Mary. eagerly, 81 wish you
to pass me-"
TO do what?" asked Mr. Calvert, in consid-
cradle bewilderment
ITO pass me-" repeated the girl, and then
she quickly proceeded to explain II am
student at ST. Margaret's, and have known for
some time that you were to examine in Latin
1t is the only subject of which am afraid as l
have not been studying it so long as the other
subjects, and much depends on my getting
through in all So, having accidentally heard
tonight where you were staying, it suddenly
occurred to me to come to you and ask this
favor"
Mr.. Calvert remained for some time gazing
at her in astonishment. 1t took him a little
while to rightly comprehend her meaning. At
length he said:
lis it possible that you fully realize the ma
ture OF the request you are making?"