Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-01-26


the time when he had tied them up
after glancing at them and seeing how
bad they were. He remembered noticing them
when he was packing the box, and he now felt
through, and discover the extent 70 which he
had been culpable. He forthwith unlocked the
box, and taking out the little roll, he placed his
candle in convenient position on his dressing
table and sat down to read Mary's papers. Soon
his brow contracted. for the errors were nu-
merous, and the conviction was forced upon
him that she had failed badly. But as he went
on his expression gradually became less gloomy.
till at astt the cloud almost passed from his face.
The mistakes had become less frequent, and il
was clear that at first the writer had been
nervous and excited. Still the papers were
far from being good, and when he
reached the end Mr.. Calvert was in
some doubt whether, according to the
standard that had been fixed for the examine
ton, she would have passed or not. In some
excitement he took pencil and began to read
again, assigning the just marks as he went on.
Then, breathing quickly, he added up the re-
suits, and found that she had actually passed
though only by few marks. He gave sigh
OF relief, and with radiant look he laid the
papers down. The consciousness that after all
no injustice had been done gave him a feeling
OF intense satisfaction. There was naturally
reaction from his former unhappiness, and he
was greatly elated. He was now ready 70 ex-
cuse Mary entirely for her indiscreet conduct,
about her father, as she had said Then. poor
girl, she had actually held a better opinion
about himself than he deserved. believing him
incapable of failing in the discharge of duty.
God bless herr calculated Mr.. Calvert
How quickly time had passed while he sat
bordering over the past and the future! 1t
was only little after 10 when he entered his
room, and on looking at his watch he found IL
was o'clock. But sleep was out Of the ques-
ton. After his candle had burned out he
drew up his blind for the darkness was fast
disappearing. He looked out and watched the
widening dawn of the day which he knew
must prove the most momentous of his life. 1t
happens to few men of Mr.. Calverts age to
achieve the honors and success that had fallen
to his lot; but at the present moment he felt
that there was no event in his past life but was
Insignificant when compared with the crisis
which was at hand and which was filling him
with JOY and fear.
When Mr. Calvert went out of the house in
the morning no one was up, and although he
walked in the direction in which Colonel Faber
had told him he lived he did not intend to dis
turb him at that early hour. He purposed
walking past the house into the country and to
call on his return. But as he drew near the
little cottage he noticed Mary in the garden,
and without hesitation he opened the
gate and went toward her. As he drew
near her he was started by the paleness
OF her face, and 1t was easy for HIM TO see
that, like himself. she had not slept Her look
was so sad that if she felt any surprise or
pleasure at bis appearance il was not manifest
in her face. Mr.. Calvert felt so much distress
at her sorrowful face that after he had taken
her hand and hidden her good-morning be
stood silently looking at her. 1t was Mary who
spoke first.
Ever since we parted last night" she said.
Il have been thinking of what you told me,
and have resolved that. so far as lies in my
power, shall make reparation for the wrong
that caused TO be done. / intend to give back
the money of the scholarship. / have not got
SO much; but by selling all we possess think
l shall be able to make up the sum. and / know
that my father will support me in irving to do
what is right. l shall also resign my situation
which obtained owing to the result of the ex-
animation for 1 will not continue longer to be
an impostor."
II am come" replied Mr.. Calvert, ''to tell
you that no injustice has been DONE For the
first time last night / read over your papers,
and found that. had done my duty as examiner
as you believed would. / must certainly have
included your name among the successful can
dldates on your own merits" She looked at
him without speaking. for her trembling lips
were incapable of forming words: but he could
see by her trustful eyes that she did not doubt
the truth of what he told her.
I'VE shall go over the papers togetherr'
continued Mr.. Calvert land YOU will see that
you underestmated your knowledge, as think
had you been less nervous while YOU wrote
them you could have done much better But
though you were undoubtedly entitled TO your
distinguished place in the class list. it is never
theless true that you caused me TO err griev-
ously, and think you owe me some repara-
ton"
She did not speak, but continued to gaze at
him mutely.
II have not divulged to any one till now"
said Mr.. Calvert, 1.-The fact that received NV
recent appointment on the understanding that
should marry. You are the only person in
the world who can help me to follow out my
career, because, since seeing you last night, /
have resolved that if you refuse to become my
wife L must resign the post"
Mary's pent-up feelings had found vent at
last, for, with her head leaning upon his breast,
she was sobbing convulsively.
The boys of Canonbury have a tradition
which will be religiously handed down to each
successive generation, and which owes its
origin to their discovery that the Doctor"
was examiner in Latin in the year when his
accomplished wife headed the list at ST. Mar
garets. Their story. which is devoutly be-
heved, is that when DR.. Calvert came to his
wifes papers, he was SO struck by the excel
lence of her Latin that he made a vow that the
girl who had written these papers should be-
come his wife.
But if the boys knew the true history of the
courtship, from the time of the Irritation at
Eastbourne, they would understand that in
this case at least the fact is more romantic than
the hction.-Fronl BeLgrdcid.