The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1914-05-01
The Contents
Of a Box
b. EDITH v. ROSS

iii ~ O1lf1 v. MOD II
I was walking on a side street In st.
| Petersburg afternoon when I met
a man with a box on a wheelbarrow.
AS he passed me the wheel dropped
from the sidewalk to the street, a. dis
lance of about twelve inches. From in
side the box came a suppressed groan,
as Of some one who had been hurt or
badly joggled by an unexpected fall.
I knew some one was inside the box,
and by the tone Of the cry l surmised
that it was a woman, a girl or a boy.
The man who pushed the barrow
went ON his way. Whether he had
heard the sound from within I don't
know. think he had, for I saw him
bite his lip as though Displaced with
himself at this ~carelessness. But he
pretended that nothing was amiss and
did not notice me proceeding with at
fected unconcern. 1 walked on a short
distance, then turned and, curious for
an explanation Of the mystery. follow
ed him.
On reaching a building containing
government Offices he opened a base
ment door and pushed his load inside,
closing the door behind him. This shut
me of SO far as that means of entrance
was concerned, but the building being
a public one l could go in through the
main door on the floor above. This l
did, and after. giving the man time to
set down his burden l went down into
the basement by an interior staircase.
I saw the wheelbarrow pusher showing
his barrow out of the door through
which he had entered. In the base
ment, standing against the wall, was
the box that had been left there.
1 stood some distance from it con-
sidering what I should do. I was born
with a full measure of curiosity and
desired to see the mystery unfold It.
self. To go. to the box and tell who
ever was inside that I had the. secret
Of his or her being there would arrest
the matter where it was, for the de-
sign, whatever it might be, would
doubtless be thus forestalled. The only
way 1 could hope to observe its devel.
opment would be to hide in the base
ment overnight. Which of these two
plans should I adopt?
Shortly after 9 I heard some one
come down the stairs and lock up.
Then, turning out all the lights except
one in the hall, which he left burning
low, he mounted the stairs. and l
heard his, footsteps die away above.
Nothing but the prospect OF an nd
venture would have induced me TO- be
thus locked up for al night. Az II
was I did not regret my, action for q
moment. I was ure that some One-1
believed q woman-was in that. box
and during the night she would do
unusual. While waiting l
tried to conjure up something she
might do. But I confess ! could think
of nothing whatever.
l expected to have to wait till mid
night or morning before a den0uement.
but when u clock outside struck in
deep tones the hour Of Q the play be-
gan. 1 heard the squeak OF turning
screws. Either some u beside the
person In the box was in the basement
a part Of the box had been screwed
ON from the inside. When the. screw
turning stopped l heard the removal
Of wood. Whoever moved from the
box must pass near me. l heard no
step. but a figure fitted before me.
and as 1t passed into the hall where
the light was burning. I saw that 1t
a young woman.
Enthusiastically adied spice tosthe adj
venture. Emerging from my, hiding
place, I followed on tiptoe. Az l.
reached the hall I saw the figure turn
from the topmost step into the upper
hall. Still following. l tracked the
woman through a corridor till she
stopped before an office door with Il
glass panel. through which shOne a
light. I. being in darkness. was
abled to steal up near tn tile figure. l
saw her look through the glass into the
office.
She raised her arm above her head.
The light struck something in her
hand. Her other hand was OH the door.
knob. dashed forward. but without
sound. running on my toe tips, and
caught her wrist just. as she turned
the doorknob and pulled. the. door
slightly ajar. SURPRISING a cry. she
stood without motion except to turn
her head and fix her eyes on me. We
both stood silent, motionless. Through
the glass / saw a man with his back
to. US working at a desk. The girl
closed the door softly. and. still holding
her wrist, 1 drew her to the main hall,
,.,I,ov +horo woe a lt1ht hurnin1 @