The Mystery of the Lost Box

Written by Hannah L Andrews

Chapter I
“When are you going to get it?” Alice Gladden asked excitedly.

“Dad said we’re going to try to tomorrow morning!” Jill Malek answered with equal excitement.
“Tomorrow?” Ashlyn Trey said, enthusiastically clapping her hands together.

The three friends sat on the porch swing, talking about the horse Jill was going to get.

“Have you told Olivia Martin?” Alice asked, her eyes glowing.

“No. I was hoping that we could surprise her by riding to her house on my horse!”

“That would be grand!” Ashlyn grinned.

“So it would,” Alice said.

“Do you know what you’re going to name it?” Ashlyn asked.

Jill shook his head. “I might name it after it looks, or its personality, or something like that, and I don’t know what it looks like, except that it has a star on its forehead.”

“You might name it Star,” Ashlyn said, with a girlish giggle.

“How did I know you would say that?” Jill asked, elbowing her friend playfully on the arm. “It’s too common a horse name. That name really irks me.”

Ashlyn shrugged. “Fine. Have it your way. But I think it’s a pretty name,” she said.

“Personally, I agree with Jill. I’m sick of that name,” Alice said. “Say, Jill. What do you think of the name Amanda?”

“Ohhh, I like it!” Ashlyn said.

“Me too!” Jill said. “I think I’ll name it that, unless, of course, you think up a better name.”

“That’s swell!”

“Hey, why don’t you two come with me to town with dad to pick up my horse?” Jill asked.

“That’s an amazing idea, Jill. We’d love it. I’d have to ask dad or mom, but I doubt they’ll care,” Alice said.

“Yeah, it is. I’ll ask dad, then phone you and tell me what he says,” Ashlyn said.

“Well, I suppose I ought to get home,” Alice said, glancing down at her watch. “Mom wants me to be home by dinner. Goodbye, Ashlyn, bye Jill!”

“So long, Alice!” Jill and Ashlyn chorused as Alice rode on her bike home.

Alice turned around for a moment to wave at her two friends.

“Hi, mom!” Alice said, as she parked her bike on the sidewalk, and walked over to Mrs. Mandy Gladden, who was checking the mail

“Hi, Alice,” Mrs. Gladden said, smiling.

“Um, mom, is dad home?”

“No, dear. He went off to a meeting for his job.”

“Oh. Mom?” Alice asked. “Well, I told you Jill’s getting a horse, right? Well, she’s getting it tomorrow, and she was wondering if I could go with her to pick it up tomorrow! Ashlyn might even be there. Please, mom?”

“I don’t see why not, dear. But I won’t be able to tai you over to her house tomorrow, because I’ll be busy. Call them and ask her if her parents can,” Mrs. Gladden said.

Alice ran into the house, and picking up the phone, she dialed her friends phone number. “Hello?” Alice heard Mrs. Malek, Jills mother, say.

“Hi, Mrs. Malek. This is Alice. May I speak to Jill?”

“One moment, Alice,” Mrs. Malek said. She could hear Jills mother calling to Jill, and then Jills muffled response. A minute later, Jill said, “hi, Alice! Do you get to go?”

“That’s what I’m calling about,” Alice replied. “You see, mom’s too busy to take me, so she said I can go if your parents will pick me up.” Alice crossed her fingers as Jill called, “mother?

Alice says she can go if you’ll pick her up, because her mom can’t. Can you?”

Alice waited impatiently, then a moment later Jill said, “mom says she doesn’t see why not.”

“So she’s going to pick me up?” Alice asked, a broad grin covering her face.

“Um-hm!” Jill said.

“Oh, good! Does Ashlyn get to go? Has she asked her parents?”

“She does! Oh, won’t it be so much fun, Alice, to ride all the way from town on my new horse, and to Olivia’s? She’ll get a real kick out of that!”

“It will! Alright, Jill, I have to go! But it was fun talking to you, and I’m glad I get to go! Goodbye.”

“Bye, Jill!"