Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1889-03-08
MR.. CALVERTS FRAILTE


Thou hast borne thy part right nobly,
Thou shalt win the Master praise.
1r1demB
Mr.. CAV VERT",S FRAILTI
a story in six Chapters.
CHAPTER l.
The attention which Mr.. Calvert paid to
Mary Taber when he met her at Eastbourne
was to a certain extent excusable because,
though nothing had resulted from their ac-
duaintance except Irritation, his attentions
had originally been of a serious kind. 1t
was only after he had pondered over the
question often aud anxiousy that he had
come to the conclusion that marriage was
impossible tie had no private means, aud
if he relinquished his fellowship his income
derived from tuition would not suffice to
maintain wife in comfort 1t is true
that bv devoting more time to ecturing aud
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 Occu
pied his leisure and which were to crown
hi, brilliant scholarship If the young la
ly had only had little more money Of her
own all would have been right but Col.
Faber who wore his heart upon his sleeve,
aud was too honest for this world, "a soon
as he noticed Mr.. Calvert's partiality for
his daughter. coutrIved to let him know
that she would have no dowry.
So, after having been inmates Of the
same boarding establishment for several
weeks. they babe each other farew ell. The
parting seemed commonplace enough, yet
Mr. Calvert felt much detected. and there
was a slight tremor in the girls voice as
she said good bve
Mary Faber could scarcely be called pret
ty, but she had a bright, sympathetic ex-
preston, which was very attractive. She
was twenty, but being rather small she
looked year younger She was very in
telligent. and but for a somewhat school
girlish manner might have been termed in
tellectual
Mr.. Calvert. on leaving EaStbourne, had
resolved to forget her, but he did not find
this process so easy as he ha supposed Many
a time that winter even IN the midst OF his
studies. the last tremulous accents of her
voice recurred to the scholar and filled him
self -upbraidings and sometimes, in mo
ments of loneliness or detection, his thoughts
were frightened by the memory of her ten
der eyes.
CHAPTER II.
Among the means Of emolument open to
the Young fellow of Merton was to work as
examiner. He was one of the moderators
in the Honor school, and had recently been
appointed classical examiner at St Mar
garet's college Manchester This institu-
ton had lust been founded by the munif-
cent donations Of the merchants and manu-
fucturers of Lancashire for the higher ed
ucatiun Of women. 1t was the end of the
first academical year that Mr.. Calvert vas
to enter upon his duties, and for this pur-
r. H.. l. \. Loo
in the beginning of May. 1t was only in
Latin that he was to examine the students
Of st Margarets. as the directors had on
Is been feeling their way for the first year,
and had not included Greek in the currcu
lum, although it figured conspicuously in
the prospectus which had been issued for
the following year.
Mr.. Calvert was glad that the eXamina-
ton was to he conducted by paper work
only, and that there was no ricd rOce, as he
would have shrunk from testing separately
a hundred young ladies in classical lore.
On the evening of his arrival in Man
chester, Mr.. Calvert was seated in prl
vate room of the chief hotel in the suburb
where st. Margarets was situated. lie had
dned, and was Just about tn begin some
= important writing, ON account of which ht
e had secured his retirement. He had scarce
" ~ put pen 10 paper llbN cNti SIS iN 40 ~
! terrupted servant entered to tell him a
r. lady had called, who wished to see him il
+ he were disengaged.
: There must be mistake" said Mr.
y Calvert, with some impatlence; 81 am MOI
u the person she desires.
e She is young lady, sir, said the maj
i in a smooth tone.
b Then that settles the question. respond
d ed Mr. Calvert energetically, 'as | know
= no young ladies here, and there is no younl
Is lady whom | know who would call ON III
at a hotel
IT II am sorry have made mistake, sir,
d replied the man. although he felt coniiden
that he had made no mistake But as h
4 had supposed that the young lady had cal
a ed bv appointment, he had omitted to as
At for her name, and he went of for that pun
c pose. Presently he returned bearing
ul small tray. At this second interruptio
1 Mr. Calvert was about to utter an angr
n exclamation, when the servant said
It. The lady has sent her card sir, an
Il, would like, if possible, to see you alone.
tn Mr.. Calvert's brow contracted and h
e lips frightened as he took the card but q
IN giancing at it his features suddenly rela'
ed becoming first red and then pale. i
rose and placed one of his hands ON Il
re back of a chair, as though he needed son
ld support,
mt ''Shall show the lady up, sir = ask
,r- the man confidently,
N Mr.. Calvert gave assent in a scarceI
N. audible voice and remained motionless,
IN though in a dream, while he read aga
we and again the name
lp- "MIss MARY FABER.'
cy While he stood lost in wonder, sudden
he he became conscious of presence tn
al 4 l. h... a tr
re. entering the room He knew it was Mar
all and advancing mechanically, he took h
nd hand, but owing 10 her dress he almost ia
apt ed to recognize her at first. She had
I'VE very school girlish appearance. She h
'dy on a thick jacket, which seemed 10 less
w her height, and an old fashioned, Quak,
like bonnet, instead of making her 10
al older, had an opposite effect. She "
or blushing painfully, and was evidently mel
no Gus and excited
ly. Miss Faber ~ exclaimed Mr.. Calvert
are a tone that expressed his as constituent,
OF am very pleased to see you. Is there al
in thing am able to do for you ("
tu- "Oh, yes, IA great deal, was the quicl
'as spoken reply.
en- Pray sit down, Miss Faber'
Of "Oh, no, - replied the girl, Il must
tes stay and | do hope you'll forgive me
bu- coming, as | know that what l am do
ms and am going TO ask you is wrong, DIRE
the fully wrong Nothing, believe me, Mr.. {
'res vert, but necessity would have brought
mt, here | cant explain everything bu
all you only knew-Will you please help m
ate "lf il lies in my power to benefit you
.ue' any way you may rely on my assistance
You promise = Since she had eute
the room the old tender expression that
the haunted Mr. Calvert 50 during the win
sat had come into her eyes, and now at
A'eS kindly spoken words they were filled "
tell tears As he looked at her he feryel
was hnued that he shOuld be able 70 do her
Dr. -, ,,I;nb ~. III ,,,,,,, IN s,..l
ola scr Ni'o "hi'h Sno ""' '''''
II PROMISE he answered emphatica
IL shall aid you in whatever way lies
the my power
s'Grs ,l Then, reioined Mary eagerly 81 y
you TO pass me