The Brass Bound Box

The chief events of its quiet days were the morning and evening arrivals and departures of the mail-

s in its own unchanging attitude toward modern ways and methods. So, whenever Reuben Smith's trumpet was heard, the villagers knew it was time to leave their

, nobody went to and fro save those who "belonged," as the storekeeper, the milliner, and Squire Pettijohn, the lawyer; and it had been ten years, at least, since Reuben's four-in-hand was brought to a halt befor

not prevent the good woman from being foremost at the gate to learn the cause of this salute, thus rudely anticipating her mistress's rights in the case

my Aunt

eturned the widow, almost as much alarmed by the appearance o

ertly, and surveying the other with amused and critica

suit-case, a parcel of books, and a dog-basket; and the stranger at once occupied herself in rel

dog's so humbl

who was waiting to receive his fare, yet in such terror of the pug's snapping jaws that he was stepp

ain't enj'yed the trip no more'n what he has, hearin' him yelp that continual, an' I must say I didn't expect, at my t

ed' it, but quite the reverse!" returned Punc

utting his horn to his lips, and thereby drowning any furt

rveyed the house beyond the gate, her heart far heavier with homes

re scarlet, while behind the low roof rose maples in the full glory of their autumn reds and yellows. The long front yard was green and well kept, and the borders beside the path were gay with chrysanthemums, though between

ic, "but so lonesome it gives me the hypo! And that-that, I suppos

d motionless, but keenly obs

ein's me an' my fam'ly has lived cheek by jowl with them an' their fam'ly since

y, leaving her luggage on the sidewalk outside, Susann

ry for such a strappin' girl as that? Well, n

ion, and followed Kate. She wouldn't have missed the interview between that young person and her enforced hostess "for a farm," and yet she was ex

Aunt Eunic

tionship, you are a Maitland, I am sure, and I am very glad to see you in Marsden. Come in, come in at once. The wind is chill, and you have had a long rid

who snapped at the hand, and caused its owner to withdraw it

't do that. He has been so tenderly brought up, and is so sensi

here a wood fire was burning on the hearth, and the furnishings were of the sort in vogue a hundred years ago. Even the disturbed young visitor thought she had never seen anything so charming as that simple i

eresting! How unlike any

sion was overdone, and resented its seemingly patronizing insincerity. Placing a chair directly in the glow

ng behind an added flippancy, as she tossed her palms outward, in a manner wholly natural t

iss Eunice, quietl

you won't be half as unwilling to accept me as I am to be lef

ught a second frown to Miss Maitland's fi

ild, who you are, and

est through which Reuben had driven his coach lay an apparently deserted little cabin, which had attracted her by its overgrowth of woodbine-that hereabout seemed to envelop everything upon which it could clasp its tendrils-and whose memory now returned to her invitingly. Exiled from her own home, an alien here, such a spot as tha

left me, a wild little lad who found the old home too dull. He was not as close of kin as some others I have reare

e Widow Sprigg, thus disclosing the fact t

, with an emphasis that said as clearly as words that her mistress might go on and talk, and things might happen enough to turn a body's head, for all she, Susanna Sprigg, cared or noticed, so ther

her! I never want to see or hear of her again. And I won't stay. I see you

tle girl. This is from no 'her,

ed the listener more than the words, and she

the dead? What

it and

ths before, when the knowledge of his own approaching death had c

e habit of our correspondence lapsed. But you may not know that two years ago I married again, a widow with four little sons; and though she has been the best of wives to me, she and my darling Katharine have not been happy together. Kate is a passionate, self-willed, but great-hearted child, so full of rom

thing in the world to bequeath my treasure to my friend. If, for any reason unknown to me, you cannot accept my legacy I have made oth

for the benefit of the schools in this city. At the end of that time, if these two well-meaning but uncongenial people decide that it is wisest to part, 'Kitty Quixote' will be sent to you, to do

by your care, and in firm reliance upon your frie

h that accuracy of detail so characteristic of the "second Mrs. John." That lady's handwriting upon the envelope had helped her to this impression, yet so honest was she that she had not once though

be good. So folks, his folks, or-or anybody could stand it to live with me! But I can't. I've tried. I've t

years and her city training. Also, recalling with a thrill of pride that she herself, at fourteen years, had been the head of he

ell me, my dear, of your life. Especially, what ca

y real brothers. And there I was trying to be, only she didn't understand. Then, another day, not long before, I coaxed some big boys who have a naphtha-launch to give the 'Balls a sail on it down the bay. The thing happened to explode, and, though nobody was hurt, she went on just terrible because I'd taken the children without asking her. How could I ask her when she was off shopping, or somewhere, just at the very moment the idea popped into my head?

e accustomed to speak of your

ertainly. Everybody amongst father's artist friends called her either

ost disre

stared, exclaiming: "Why, you're a

ppose so?" returned M

ry agreeable, and most of the really agree

hari

other thing I've done, except being kind to the little Snowballs. But-h

rl thither at a bound, while Miss Eunice hastily fol