The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-02-02
TIE EVENING STOR Y
What the Green Box Contained.
fBy Ina. Wright E4anson-1

by Ina Wright Hanson.1
This is the letter that I wrote:
Dear Mrs. Hynes-After you had left
my brothers office ] went to the corner
table lover which hangs a mirror 70
get my hat. Near the hat I found
nickel, which was not there when laid
my hat down. Therefore, I conclude it
IS your property, and am inclOsing its
equivalent in stamps
Yours most faithfully,
WILLIAM BEATTY.
This is the letter that she wrote:
Dear Mr.. Beatty-The nickel as you
surmised, belonged to me; and thank
you for your thoughtfulness. But, as
its loss was the result of my own care
lessness, I feel that no more than three
cents is my due, and I return herewith
one stamp. Again thanking you, am
yours Sincerely,
IL NJ. HYNES.
I had several times, from my studio.
observed Mrs Hynes enter my brother s
law office. The rather sad brown eyes,
shining rolls of dark hair, and an un-
usual grace of carriage attracted me
So, on the morning of the letters, I hap
pened to be in the office when she came.
I was presented, and kindly allowed TO
remain.
Back III my studio again, was in
possession of these facts concerning hef:
Left penniless by an invalid husband,
Mrs. Hynes was about to seek some
employment when her only relative, an
uncle, died. There seemed to be no viii,
so She had come here from a distant
town to reside in her uncle's handsome
home and enjoy his ample fortune. Then
she had discovered the will which gave
everything to one Harry Armstrong,
whose father had been a friend OF the
deceased. She had laid the matter be-
fore my brother, bidding him search for
Armstrong. My brother censured her
for her exaggerated sense of honor; but
to me there was something splendld
about it. Then followed the answer 10
my letter. which showed that under her
serious deneanor, there ran vein Of
fun.
Soon came q. happy evening. when /
was invited to call upon her with my
brother, who had something to report
concerning the unknown heir.
We found Mrs. Hynes looking rather
frail in a delicate green gown-frall' put
charming. 1 had been wondering what
her name was, and 1 did not like TO ask
Jim.
Her name is Lillian" 1 thought;
twas ever name so htting2"
Then as she and my brother discussed
their business affairs. took in the sur
rouudings. We were in the library, fur
nished in green, with daring dashes OF
crimson The mante1 pleased me espe-
cially. It held but two articles vase
of autumn leaves and a small green
box The latter seemed familiar to me
somehow As we were bidding her good
night, after a. very pleasant evening, 1
observed the box more closely 1t bore
a paddock almost as big as the width Of
my knife blade
You would like to see the contents 2"
oueried Mrs. Hynes. Sometime, per-
haps; but if you would see them Alright,
your eyes must be anointed with the
salve OF fancy
There were other evenings after that
when 1 visited Mrs. Hynes alone; and
7 ef that
at the next visit I would disclose to her
the state of my feelings. Each time /
was deferred by circumstances As with
a breath, my heritage had been blown
away, and at something more tnan
thirty I was beginning life anew
was prospecting, but should no Harry
Armstrong turn up, Mrs. Hynes was a
rich woman. On the other hang, II
Armstrong did appear and took ber
wealth away from her, her proud nature
would refuse my advances, thinking
that I rendered them through sympathy
Consequently, I was not entirely happy.
One evening as waited in her library,
turning the matter over again in my
mind, and gazing at the green box. l
suddenly discovered of what it reminded
me- and at the same time I knew whom
Mrs. Hynes herself was like.
i've found out about the green box, .
observed, when she was seated near
me.
preston You opened it," she ex-
claimed.
I looked at her reproachfuIly. DO
you think I am without hOnor?" I asked.
Besides. 1 had no key"
There was a strange note in her soft
When was a boy" I began. 1T went
to school at Glenbrook- where my par
We moved away from the place when I
was fourteen and my chosen playmate,
Ludema Sears, was twelve; your eyes
| are exactly as I remember hers TO nave
been. except from yours look the ex-
periences of a none too happy maturity
She had the palest yellow hair I ever
saw One day she brought to school a
little green box This one looks like It,
though if we had the other one to com
pare with this. there would possibly be
quite n difference. Well she opened her
box when the teachers back was turned
apples OF course, I supposed one was
for me- but at recess she gave It to
Willie Henderson. 1 feel quite angry
and reckless now when think OF It.
The freight was bringing most be
coming flush to Mrs. Hynes' rather pale
'And what happened them" she asked
Willie Henderson got licked. and the
teacher settled with me quite abundantiy
what became Of Lsudema?''
"She has been dead good many
"shan we try that new duet now?..' she
asked springing up. do you know
I'm glad you licked Willie Henderson.
Next day was Sunday, and over a very
late breakfast my brother impaired to
me some news which sent me into the
street walking rapidly, but with no
thought of my destination till 7 came to
the poWerhouse A car was just pull
ing out for Glenbrook, and whim pos
sessed me to get aboard and visit the
scene of my school days, / must get
through an Unfortunately long day some
how till ] could see Mrs Hynes again
sauntered through the once familiar
streets till 7 came to the grove of pines
where I had enticed Willie Henderson
and drubbed him. I was smiling at the
one was in the grove. As I hesitated, the
figure turned. and I saw Mrs. Hynes!
ssyVhv Ifliianv' J exclaimed. Fastening
forward. How came you here2"
over the whiteness of her face rolled
wave of cardinal; from the brown