The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1889-06-29
Select gtOrg,
CALVERT'S FRAILTY.
From Belgravia.
CHAPTER |.

UG dlttullOI WHICH -ils NdiNNAA paw W
| Mary Faber when he met her at Eastbourne
was to a certain extent excusable; because,
though nothing had resulted from their
acquaintance except Irritation, his inten-
tions had originally been of serious kind.
1t was only after he had pondered over the
question often and anxiously that he had
come to the conclusion that marriage was
impossible. He had no private means, and
if he relinduished his fellowship his income
/ derived from tuition would not suffice to
maintain a wife In comfort. 1t is true
that by devoting more time to lecturing
and private pupils he might materially have
increased his earnings, but Mr.. Calvert had
scarcely contemplated this step, as he could
not give up those studies which now occu-
pied his leisure. and which were to crown
his brilliant scholarship If the young
lady had My had little money of her
own all would have been right; but Colonel
Faber. who wore his heart upon his sleeve,
and who was too honest for this world, as
soon as he noticed Mr. Calvert's partiality
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 bade each other farewell. The part
ing seemed commonplace enough, yet Mr.,
Calvert felt much detected, and there was
slight tremor in the girls voice as she
said goodbye
Mary Faber could scarcely be called
pretty, but she had a bright, sympathetic
expression, which was very attractive She
was twenty, but being rather small she
looked year younger She was very III
telligeut, and but for a somewhat school
girlish manner might have been termed
intellectual
MIR. Calvert, on leaving Rastbourue, had
resolved to forget her, but he did not find
this process 50 easy as he bad supposed.
Many a time that winter, even in the midst
Of his studies, the last tremulous accents of
her voice occurred To the scholar aud filed
him with self-upbraidings, aud sometimes,
in moments of loneliness OF objection, his
thoughts were frightened by the memory
Of her tender eyes
CHAPTER H.
Among the means Of emolumeut open TO
the Young fellow Of Merton was work as
an examiner He was one Of the mode
ra,ors in the hoBoT school, aud bad recently
been appointed classical examiner Al 81.
Marrarcs College, Manchester. This in
stitatioa had just been founded by the mu-
ni6ceui donations Of the merchants and
manufacturers If Lancashire for the higher
education Of women. |, was the cnd Of
the irst acadcmiesl year that Mr.. Calvert
was 10 enter upon his duties, aud for tbs
purpose he lefi Oxford for the North one
day 10 ihe beginning Of May, Il was only
in Latin that he was 10 examine the stu
deu,s of $, Margare, 5, as the directors had
only been feeling their way for the Srsi
year. aad bad not included Greek IN the
curriculum, although j, figured coasPicu-
oasly in the prospectus which had been
issued for the Following year.
Mr.. Calvert was glad that the exsuiss
lion vas to bc conducted by paper work
only. and ths, there vas no rfus rocs, as
he would have shrunk from testing scpa-
rately hundred young ladies in classical
lore,
Ga The oyeaing Of his arrival tn Man
chester Mr. Calvert was seated IN private
room in the chief hotel IN the suburb
where 81. Margaret was situated. lie bad
dined, and was just about 10 begin some
important writing, on account Of which he
had secured his retirement He bad
scarcely put pen 10 paper, howeyer, ere he
was interrupted. A servant catered 10
tell him thst lady had called who wished
to see him II be we're dissngaged.
There must be mistake, said MF-
Calvert, with some impaIience, 4 am not
the person she desires
-She Is a young lady, sir- said the man
in smooth tone
Then that settles the question, ne
spoBded Mr.. Calvert, energe'ieally, 'aS l
kuow DO young ladies here, and there IS no
Young lady whom | know Who would call
on me az a hotel
4 am sorry | have made mistake, sir,
replied the man. although he tels confident
that he had made no mistake But as he
had supposed that the young lady had
called by appointment, be had omitted 70
ask for her name, and he went OF for that
purpose. Presently be returned bearing 4
small tray. Az this second interruption
Mr.. Calvert was about 90 utter an angry
exclamation, when the servant said
The lady has sent her card, sir. and
would Ike If possible TO see yon alone.
Mr. Calycrts brow contracted aud his
lirs tightened as he took the card, but on
giaacing nj il his features suddenly relaxed,
becoming first red and then pale. He
arose aud placed one of his hands on the
back Of chair as though he needed some
support. ,
.iShall shoS the lady up, sir r asked
the man confidently.
Mr. Calvert gave assent 10 scarcely
audible voice, and remained motionless, as
though 10 a dream, while he read again
and again the name
Miss MARY FABER"
While he stood lost in wonder, sudden
ly he became conscious of presence that
thrilled him, and, looking up, he saw a
Girl entering the room. He knew it was
Mary, and, advancing mechanically, he
took her hand, but, owing to her dress, he
almost failed to recognize her at first She
had very school giriish appearance. She
had on a thick jacket, which seemed to
lessen her height, aud an old fashioned
Quaker ike bonnet, Instead of making her
look older had an opposite effect. She
was blushiug painfully, and was evidently
nervous and excited.
Miss Faber r exclaimed Mr.. Calvert IN
a tone that expressed his astOnishment, u
am very pleased to see you. Is there any
thing am able to do for your
"0h, yes, a great deal, was the quick,
ly spoken reply.
"Pray, sit down, Miss Faber "
"Oh, no, replied the girl, 81 mustn I
stay. and 1 do hope you'll forgive me FOL
coming, as | know that what | am doing
and am going to ask you is wrong, dread
fully wrong. Nothing, believe me, Mr.
Calvert, but necessity would have brought
me here. can't exp plain everything, but
if you only knew Will you please
help me p
IF it lies in my power to benefit yor
in any way you may rely on my assist
ance"
"You promise Since she had en-
tered the room the old tender expression
that had haunted Mr.. Calvert so Otter