The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1906-07-11
What the Green
Box Contained
By INA WRIGHT HANSON
Copyright, 1905, by Ruby Douglas
This is the letter that 1 wrote:

This is the letter that wrote:
| Dear Mrs. Hynes-After you had left my
| brothers office went to the corner table
| (over which hangs a mirror) to get my
| hat. Near the hat found a nickel, which
was not there when laid my hat down.
Therefore 1 conclude it is your property
and am Enclosing it's 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 careless
ness, 1 feel that no more than cents Is
my due, and 1 return herewith one stamp.
| Again thanking you, l am yours sincerely,
| l. NJ. HYNES.
had several times from my studio
observed Mrs. Hynes enter my broth
er's law office. The rather sad brown
eyes, shining rolls of dark hair and an
unusual grace Of carriage attracted me.
| So, on the morning Of the letters, hap
pened to be in the Office when she came.
l was presented and allowed to remain.
Back in my studio again, was in
possession Of these facts concerning
her: Left penniless by an invalid hus-
band, Mrs. Hynes was about to seek
some employment when her only rela-
tive, an uncle, died. There seemed to
be no will, so she had come here from
distant town to reside in her uncle's
handsome home and enjoy his ample
fortune. Then she had discovered the
inh ~
Harry Armstrong, whose father had
been a friend Of the deceased. She had
laid the matter before my brother, bid
ding him search for Armstrong. My
brother censured her for her exagger-
ated sense Of honor, but to me there
was something splendid about it. Then
followed the answer to my letter, which
showed that under her serious de-
meanOr there ran a vein Of fun.
Soon came a happy evening, when l
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 delicate green gown-frail,
but charming. l had been wondering
what her name was, and did not like
to ask Jim.
'Her name Is Lillian" l thought
WAS ever name so fitting"
Then as she and my brother discussed
their business affairs took In the sur
roundings. We were In the library,
furnished in green, with daring dashes
Of crimson. The mantel pleased me
especially. 1t held but two articles-a
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 l observed the box more close
ly. 1t bore a paddock about as big as
the width of my knife blade
You would like to see the contents?"
queried Mrs. Hynes. "Some time, 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 l visited Mrs. Hynes alone, and
each time l went away determined
that at the next visit l would disclose
to her the state of my feelings. Each
time l was deferred by circumstances.
As with breath, my heritage had been
blown away, and at something more
than thirty was beginning life anew.
l was prospecting, but should no Harry
Armstrong turn up Mrs. Hynes was q
rich woman. On the other hand, If
did appear and took her
wealth away from her her proud ma
ture would refuse my advances, think
ing that l rendered them through sym
pathy; consequently I was not entirely
happy.
One evening as l waited in her libra
ry, turning the matter over again in
my mind and gazing at the green box,
I suddenly discovered of what it re-
minded me, and at the same time l
knew whom Mrs. Hynes herself was
like.
"Ive found out about the green box"
l observed, when she was seated near
me.
Into her face flashed a startled ex-
preston. you opened itv' she ex.
I looked at her reproachfully. "Do
you think am without honor?" 1 ask
ed. Besides, 1 had no key"
There was strange note In her soft |
laughter.
when 1 was a boy" 1 began, 81 |
went to school at Glenbrook, where nv |
parents lived, not many miles from |
here. We moved away from the place
when l was fourteen and my chosen
playmate, Ludema Sears, was twelve.
Your eyes are exactly as remember
hers to have been, except yours look |
the experiences Of none too happy
She had the palest yellow
hair ever saw. One day she brought
TO school little green box. This one
ooks like 1t. though If we had the other
)ne to compare with this there would
possibly be quite difference. Well,
The opened her box when the teachers
back was turned, and I saw inside two
mall but very red apples. OF course
supposed one was for me, but at
'ecess she gave it to Willie Henderson.
feel quite angry and reckless now
when think of it,
The freight was bringing a most
'ecoming flush to Mrs. Hynes' rather
'ale cheeks.
"And what happened then?' she ask
d softly.
''Willie Henderson got licked, and
he teacher settled with me quite abun-
Iantly later" added
what became of Ludema?'
'She has been dead a good many
ears"
''Shall we try that new duet now?"
sne asked, springing up. do you know
I'm glad you licked Willie Henderson"
Next day was Sunday, and over q
'ery late breakfast my brother impart.
ID to me some news which sent me into ,
ne street, walking rapidly, but with
10 thought Of my destination till l 1
anne to the power house. A car was I
ust pulling out for Glenbrook, and a I
vhim possessed me to get aboard and