The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1882-12-28
The Majors Vindication.

"Miss Marble, l wish to speak with
you moment before you 60"
Katharine Marble-or rather Kit
ty," as every one had called her for
the last twenty years, the term of her
eXistence-paused as she was in the
act of leaving the postoflice, of which
she was the sole clerical force, and
turned toward her superior officer to
meet the smile which always made at
tractive the face of Major Wynne
when he spoke to any one, friend or
foe, though in truth the latter were
few.
The girl, plump, pretty brunette,
had been assistant postmaster in
the village postoffice for three years,
though the affable major had held his
position but few months, since the
death of the former incumbent, a man
well burdened with years, who had
presided over the distribution of let
ters and papers for nearly two score
of years.
The noontime shadows had crept
closely up beside the buildings as if to
avoid the heat of the bright summer
day, as Kitty turned with question
ing look. Major Wynne's smile was
as bland as ever, but his voice had an
uncertain sound as he continued trife
deprecatingly;
"The fact is, Miss Marble, ! feel
compelled to state that the increasing
duties of this office require that /
should employ, not more efficient help,
for that'-and his smile grew more
bland, if possible-"would be impossi-
BILE to find, but some one who could
assume the responsibility of the office
to an extent hardly within the province
of lady assistant"
Major Wynne's smile grew almost
imperceptible as he met the amazed
look which flashed from the black
eyes of the girl before him, though her
ripe, red lips uttered no sound.
81 know this comes rather uneX-
pectedly," he continued, finding that
she made no reply, "and places me in a
very disagreeable position. The office,
as you know, will admit of but one as
sistant, and there are various other
things you could do equally remunera-
tive. You might teach school the
coming fall and winter in district No.
8, if you wished"
The girl fairly shivered, spite of the
warmth of the day, as she thought of
the dingy schoolhouse perched on the
bleak hill, of the rows of tow-headed
urchins and unmanageable girls, sharp
voiced, critical parents and the dull
life of country farmhouses compared
with her busy, pleasant life in the
village, and her face mirrored her
Thoughts as she at length answered:
"Of course, Mr.. Wynne, l can find
mo fault with your desire for other
assistance than mine, and as it is quite
necessary for me to earn a living at
something l shall be thankful for any
kindness toward enabling me to help
myself"
Her measured, even tones were
totally unlike her usually quick, alert
mode of speaking, and the color was
gone from her cheeks.
"Who will succeed me?" she asked, !
after "a moments uncomfortable |
silence.
"Mr. Rawley's clerk, young Gray; he
is a smart, capable fellow, and will do
his best to please the public. 1 am
veSy sorry that"
"Please say nomore on this subject"
she interrupted. hastily. "When does
my term of service expire?"
"Well, 1 thought months notice
would be sufficient. Mr.. Gray will
come katS, the office Immediately, and
by thas Gime will have become familiar
with the details of the work"
She went out into the sunshine,
scarcely needing its brightness, for
this dismissal was severe blow to
her. She had taken pride in her work;
what would have been dull routine to
some, she performed with pleasure;
had the same kindly manners for
young or old, rich or poor, and had
come to seem part and parcel of the
otherwise somewhat dingy and unat-
tractive postofice.
She walked slowly over the uneven
plank sidewalk, her eyes cast down,
looking neither to the right nor left.
She took no notice of those she met,
till a young man raised his hat and
spoke pleasantly to her. Then she
looked up. A tall, fair young man, only
a year or so her senior, stood smilingly
Iefore her.