The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1889-06-29
VOL. XXIV.-NO. 34.

During the evening on which he cam
she made no allusion to the matter whicl
was occupying so much of her thoughts
but on the following day she told him tina
she knew of lady who could not fail tt
make him an excellent wife. She added
for his information that the young lady
in question belonged to good family, bu
that her father had been unfortunate in
money matters and was now wholly depend
ent on his daughter, who was one of the
chief mistresses in the local High School
! for Girls
This description did not sound very
promising to Mr.. Calvert, whose face as he
listened assumed doubtful expression
which was not dispelled even when bis
sister exclaimed enthusiastically that the
young lady in question was dear, sweet,
unselish girl, who could not fail to make
a devoted wife, while her accomplishments
left nothing to be desired. Finally, his
sister informed Mr. Calvert that she had
invited the young lady and her father to
dinner that evening in order to meet him,
On hearing this intelligence, Mr.. Cal
vert sighed somewhat YEARLY, and began
to think that he had made mistake in
supposing that his sister could aid him in
carrying out his matrimonial projects
In the evening the two guests arrived
before Mr. Calvert had quite finished
dressing, and as he entered the drawing
room he heard gentleman talking whose
voice seemed familiar to him, though he
could not remember to whom it belonged.
He did not remain long in doubt, as on
passing a screen that at first had obseured
his view, he saw to his astonishment Colo
mel Faber standing talking to the Rector,
while seated on a couch by his sisters side
was Mary, looking, in plain white dress,
more attractive than ever.
The hostess was genuinely surprised to
find that her guests were acquainted with
her brother, and as she looked keeHly at
Mary Faber while her brother was taking
the young lady's hand, beam of honest
pleasure passed over the matronly features
of the Rectors wife.
At dinner Colonel Faber, with his usual
righteousness, told Mr.. Calvert that shortly
after he had met him he had been per-
suaded to embark his small capital in trade
and had soon lost all he had. The Colo
uel added, not without a touch of pride,
that he was now solely dependent on his
little girl, who was able to earn a good
income, aud he told Mr.. Calvert that if he
could find time to call at their little cottage
it would give him much pleasure to see
him there.
During dinner only few commonplace
observations passed between Mary Faber
and Mr. Calvert He did not smoke, and
while the Rector and Colonel were enjoy
ing cigar in the library after dinner he
joined the ladies in the drawing-room.
Very soon afterward he found himself
alone with Miss Faber
1T was a pleasant surpEise for me,
said Mr. Calvert, ito meet you here to-
night Although knew my sister expected
a lady to dinner, had no idea she would
prove to be YOU
And as | had never heard her maiden
name, when she told me | should meet
her brother tonight, of course had not
any expectation of seeing you.
Mr. Calvert might be said TO possess u
dual nature, as in some respects he was
very natural and human in his thoughts,
feelings, ami actions, but occasionally he
became formal and pedantic. The one
side of Mr.. CalveFt's character had been
revealed by his Irritation with Miss Faber
at Eas,bourne, aud the other side was
manifested in the terribly severe view
which he had taken of poor Marys fault
His manner and tone were altogether
scholastic now, as he said
"It was under very different circum-
stances, Miss Faber, you and last met. y
The girls face crimsoned, her eyes fell,
aud her quicker breathing also betrayed
her emotion Presently, however, she
looked up at Mr.. Calvert with a steadiast
but iimid glance, and said in an eager tone:
Il cannot tell you how often | have
wished that this opportunity might come,
when | should be able TO explain my
motives for doing what you must have
considered both strange and blameworthy.
II was Just at the time when father met
with his misfortunes, aud he seemed so
broken down and dispirited that felt he
must for the future be dependent on my
exertions. knew that If | took n high
place at the college examination | should
have no difficulty in obtaining good stu
alton And, on the other hand, if | failed,
knew how difficult my struggle would be.
With the exception of Latin | had no fear
for any of the other subjects, as | had al
ways done well in them in our classes, but
by the regulations then in force it was ne
cessary TO pass in Latin in order to obtain
place on the honor list Hence the fears
that distracted me, and when | came to
YOU that night, Mr.. Calvert, to ask your
aid, was acting thoughtlessly, without
deliberatiou, urged by sudden impulse
which was prompted by the dread Of my
fathers destitution.
While he listened Mr.. Calvert's expires
sion had grown softer; il was the natural
element in him that was being manifested
now. After brief pause Mary began
again, speaking quickly:
oNo sooner had | returned home than
| began to understand how foolish and
wicked the request was that | had made
to you. When, on pondering over the
matter, became aware of the full signifi-
canee of my dishonest petition, | was
heartily ashamed of myself. OF course L
knew then that you would never do what
| had asked"
'sWhat !" exclaimed Mr. Calvert, in a
startled voice.
II knew" continued Mary, with look
aud tone of candor, ''that although you had
said YOU would do as | wished, in order to
humor me, or, perhaps, to get rid of me,
you would not fail in your duty as exam
iner, but would act with perfect impartial
ity. | was convinced that you were too
honorable to be influenced in the very least
by what had said. And had [ thought
otherwise then, when had recovered from
my excitement | assure you, Mr. Calvert,
that | would have returned, and would
have implored you to forget every thought
less word | had spoken"
II wish you had, said Mr.. Calvert.
Il thought it needless; but l hoped that
sooner or later might have this opportu-
nifty of making an explanation and apology
Unfortunately it is too late. "
"Why?' asked the young lady, in a
tone of suspense for she could tell by Mr..
Calvert's look that something serious was
troubling him.