The Brass Bound Box

he most amazing of all. It seemed that at the sound of "Pettijohn" the hay had opened and swallowed him. There

mebody he liked or he wouldn't have hurried so. Anyway, I don't mind being here a little while by m

"nest" in the sweet-scented hay, laid her head back and fixed her gaze upon the clou

he hay about her blew here and there, clinging to her clothing and lodging among her short curls. Montgomery h

ering just where that ladder was; and if I don't find it-what shall I do? Yet how silly to be afraid of things, a big girl like me; and how impolite of that boy to go away and forget me. No matter how much he likes

w as she dared, and shouted: "Montgomery! Mont

she slipped over her head, its elastic band clasping her throat, and the eggs she stored within her blouse. They were heavy and made it

! Mont-

shiver of fear crept over her. Then she rallied, growing angry, which, under the circumstances, was the best thing that could

ove the hay, almost to the roof in one place. I'd better get on my stomach and ju

wned it, yet she recognized that Punch had traced and followed her. She had always loved him, but never had he bee

istress is up here. She's coming! Wa

eeded comforting. Since his arrival at Marsden, life had not been all chop-bones for him any more than it had been all catni

over that precipice of hay into the bay below, which now seemed a gulf of unfathomable depth. Inch by inch, with greater prudence than

on and-dear me! How far it is between steps. Why don't people put their rounds closer together, so they wouldn't

retched it to her utmost, and all at once everything seemed to give way and she fell backwards. Fortunately, the distance was so slight and the bay so carpeted with hay that no serious harm r

ving about on the barn floor, the opening and shutting of feed-boxes and stalls, the swish of fodder forked

frame even was so far above her head that she could only touch it by stretching her arms to their utmost. She had thought it a big ju

why folks build barns such ways. Why don't they have just regular straight floors and things? Wait, pet. Don't rub against my ankles so hard, you nearly k

hen there came the sound of a heavy door slammed forcibly against the wind, the rasp of a bolt in its lock, an

was a person of fierce temper and a propensity for managing his neighbors' affairs, especially the affairs of his youthful neighbors. Report said that his wealth equalled his temper, and that the two together made most of the vi

been excited even by the news of Moses' accident and pluck, but the tidings of treasure-finding,

covered a gold mine on her property;" "Monty Sturtevant has dug up buried treasure in Eunice's woods;" "'Johnny' Maitland'

same thing,-Marsden would now become famous. So that more than ever Squire Pettijohn felt it good to be a great man in the r

consumed it in a silence which his observant wife knew betokened affairs of unusual weight.

ound upon her premises, and she needs me. Deny

troll in and out of inviting dooryards. Yet when he came to the wider yard before the stone house something of his complaisance left him. "He and Eunice Maitland had never hitched." She was always perfectly courteous, and never failed to attend the sewing-meeting

any visitor; and it seemed to the worried Widow Sprigg as if that "plaguey knocker had done

it now heralded the arrival of the Squire, who was for passing at once i

you present my card to her and say th

usekeeper, remembering him rather as "little Jimmy Pettijohn," whom her own mother

ous! I would like to see your mistress. Please anno

loved "friend" with whom she dwelt, and whom it was her privilege to openly call by the

no men folks, anyway. We've been overrun with them, a'ready, just 'cause Moses has broke his leg and a few his ribs. Accidents h

y services in regard to this-er-gold mine whi

in utter amazement. Had the

ealth has been unearthed in the old Maitland woods. Of course, Eunice being unused to the management of large affairs and

face evinced her incredulity. As it was, she stood for a brief time, staring over her

g he built, on his own piece of woodland 'j'inin' hers, and she buyin' it off me soon's he departed. The prettiest little house in the hull township, 'tis, too, an' where I 'xpect to end my days if I outlive her, which I hope I won't. An' her needin' business 'advice,' indeed! When there ain't a man in Marsden, let alone all the women, can hold a candle to her for gumption an' clear-headedness. An' her sayin' to me then, 'Susanna, it will do you more good to sell

e decent tenant and get some benefit of it. Upon second thoughts, I would advise you to sell it. Now that this treasure has been found you might

p to fabulous height if the rumor that gold had been discovered there proved true. But he did not intend to offer much for the "deserted cabin," convenient though it might be to the possible mine, upon the strength

uld not force an entrance, even though he kept his foot firmly in the aperture. The woman still regarded him with a pitying amuseme

ou such a y

e time out of my busy life to call upon them; and no one person in especial told me.

spring full-fledged out the ground, I know. Who-started the ridic'lous business?

membered that she had not intended to admit him. In any case, she instantly reflected h

ed at the half-way landing, to observe who was this latest visitor of the many who had called to ask

d not encouraged inquirers to remain. Privacy had never seemed so desirable to her as on that fateful morning

ake a bit of difference, and she makes you feel, without saying a word, that your room is better than y

ations!" cried Squire Pettijohn, pushing eagerly forward

nd, Mr. Jones. I am glad to tell you that the doctor says he will do very well, but sorry

a "hired man's" misfortunes, Aunt Eunice walked with her visitor toward the door. She was puzzled by his presence, but did not enjoy it, and was herself going just then to read the Weekly Jou

much touched and gratified by the good-will of his neighbors, and has had many calls alre

t one side, keenly observant of the other two, and s

us? Not none of Moses' troubles, but to hear about the 'gold mine'

d such an idea would be," answered Aunt

ed and started to follow, then apparently thought better of it, for

nfusion. It is true I did mention 'gold mine,' but I also mentioned a hidden box of tre

bull story? Must have had a b

sible for this strange rumor, then she would promptly interview that person and cross-examine him a

nd the little girl who's staying here were the discoverers.

a little spell ago, an' I hain't seen 'em come out. Katy, she don't know you-an' so ain't afraid of ye. She ain't afraid of anythin

of the hay-mow and sent up the summons which