The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-01-20
\ GRAND JUROR,

The day Mary Hammond accepted Joyce
her mother handed her a thOusand-dollar
bond, her share Of her fathers life insur-
sBee. She thought OF pretty gOwns-to be
worn as q bride. Then she sobersd up.
David would think her silly, be was so prac-
tical. She was sorry for David.
About month after the engagement John
Alloy was made postmaster at Garrett. he
was young, quick and clever, and hand
some.
Joyce was busy at the store. so Mary
often went TO the social gatherings with
out him. be calling for her later on In the
evening" He did not dance; Alroy did.
It gradually dawned upon him that Mary
danced a good deal with the postmaster.
He also found that the postmaster often
met Mary by chance when she took sunny
walks.
In April he made bis usual spring trip to
buy goods. Ee had been away a week
when be received letter from Mary. She
asked to be absolved from her engagement
with him. He was stunned and fastened
home. The calmness with which Mary met
him told him his doom.
1T is AlrOy, OF !" be said.
alt may seem to you that / treat you
badly" she returned, "but l never knew
what love was till l met him." and Joyce
went away.
Throughout the summer he saw little Of
the happy pair invented business excuses
taking him much from home. Winter came
and the store claimed him. April loOmed
up-the anniversary of his shattered hopes
and he heard that Mary would be married
IN June. In June the marriage was put off
till autumn.
This was the reason: The postofice at
Garrett was third class. Out of his salary
the postmaster was expected to defray all
Office expenses. In O second-class Office
clerk hire and other liabilities were met by
the Government, while the salary of the
master was considerably increased. Alrov
proposed to raise his salary to second-elass,
80 as to be in position TO marry. To do
this he must prove that the business of his
office had Increased for year to such an
extent that it eQualled existing second-class
efflcess Late in the summer he said that
this wks so. In September an expert dis
covered that while the sale of stamps for a
year eQualed that of an Office of the higher
grade 1t did not represent corresponding
increase in mailed matter. Alroy was ac-
cused OF fraud.
In January Joyce was summoned to act
as grand juror on February 20. In the city,
more than 100 miles away.
The afternoon Of the 18th brought Gar
Tett binding snowst0rm; the streets
were deserted. business was at a standstill.
About o'clock and nearly dark, lady
entered JOyce's private room at the store.
1t was Mary. Hammond.
Il have heard" she said at once. shat
you are grand juror In the February
term. The postmaster's case comes up be-
fore YOU"
JOyee's heart gave bound. he had not
thought of that
THE grand jury, / am informed" she
went on, decide IL there is sufficient
ground % make out case to go before the
court You will have voice in deciding
whether or not there is case against the
postmaster"
Joyco's eyes were like Goals Of fire.
IF il were in your power, you would con-
Wet the postmaster" she said.
Joycs found his voice.
'If knew him to be guilty, yes" he said.
HE is guilty" she weat on. 1.-THE stamps
were bought by me with the 81 600 of nv
father'b insurance. l proposed the fraud.
Love Cor him made NE do as have done
love for me made him do the rest"
Without another word she went from the
room ont into the snowstorm.
Joycs trembled in every limb. The insult
drove him wild. She knew that he still
loved her, and she called upon that love to
save Alroy even at the cost of honor. The
outrage of i'll Alroy was guilty, and there
was bet one thing to do Love and honor
contended-hopeless love, inalienable honor.
There could be no question as TO which
would win.
The following day. the outrage-the in
suIt-EnawIng at him, he went on the 100
mile burney. On the morning OF the 10Th
he tOek oath that he would do his duty as
good and loyal man in the matters to be
places before the Grand Jury. In lew
minutes more he was sitting with twenty
three ether men around long table listen
ing to detectives aud Others testifying
against unseen people.
Hoa many cases were disposed OF ne
hardly knew. when he heard the name he
had waited for. Joyce raised his head.
Nov you'd come his revenge for all the