The national leader., 1889-02-23
The MYSTERIOUS PACKAGE.

was only schoolboy when my
aunt, kind-hearted maiden lady OF
middle age, at my urgent request for a
story, told me of the following remark
able occurrence.
The time was midwinter, and the
roaring winds shook the easements and
moaned dismally as we two sat before
a blazing fire.
''As you know" began Aunt Betsey,
my early years were spent in England,
where was born. was about sixteen
when was invited to go and stay with
some relatives in Sussex, whom | had
never seen. My life had been some-
what monotonOus, and, wild with de-
light at the prospect of change OF
scene, looked anXiously for my par
ents' permission to accept the invita-
tion.
AFTER some del;beration, the desir-
ed permission was given; SO, early one
morning, accompanied by my father, |
set out I'D high spirits for my destln-
alton, arriving there in the pleasant
twilight OF an autumn evening.
Our friends gave us cordial re-
ceptlOn. Squire and Mrs. Oldham
were staid, good-tempered, rather elder
ly people, and their two daughters
girls Of eighteen and twenty-as merry
and wild as | could possibly desire.
Their names were Mildred ana Janet.
''Tbe house, standing in its own
grounds and surrounded by lofty trees,
was old and spacious, with many long
corridors and passages, and plenty Of
ron Nf All -.st inti
can recall so well the great entrance
hall. 1t was Of immense AZe and
gloomy, and from it ascended wide
staircase, which led to an open gallery
above. Many happy, merry evenings |
have spent in that old hall.
During my stay with my Sussex
friends, MIR. and Mrs. Oldham went to
spend a few days at gentleman's
house a few miles distant from their
own, and it was while they were absent
that the alarming occurrence | am
about to relate to YOU took place.
''The household consisted of a butler
and four maidservants. The coach
man, who lived in cottage in the
grounds about quarter of mile dis
tant, was now absent with his master
and mistress. The butler was pom
pous, stately, middle-aged man, given
somewhat to patroniZing, though al
ways respectful in his manners to us
young people; he evidently considered
the safety of the house at his peculiar
charge, and was very particular in the
extinguishing of fires, and in looking
after the safety Of the faStenings of
doors and windows.
1--WE had heard of one or two rob-.
berries being committed in the neighbor-
hood; but we did not feel nervous, and
my cousins placed great dependence on
huge black dog which always slept at
night in the hall.
Zone evening" believe it was the
third after Mr.. and Mrs. Oldman's de-
parture-my cousins and were sitting
chatting merrily round the fire in a
large room which opened from the hall
Il think it was about seven o'clock
when there came pull at the 'front.'
door bell, and. after short delay, the
butler answered ii. Presently, hear
ing a somewhat prolonged parley out
side, we opened our room door and
peeped out
ssTwo men, apparently much exhaust
ed. stood at the lower end Of tho hall,
while on the ground at their feet lay a
large. long package, something like
these carried by country peddlers. OPP
nosite TO them stood the butler and one
IF the maid-seIvants, and stormy dis
cussion seemed going on between them.
Mildred. my elder cousin. after few
moments pause, walked forward and
requested an explanation. One of the
fol hi 10 -tno
yiduaI, I thought, advanced toward
her. aud, making a low bow, began to
:. Madam. he said, we have brough:
this bale Of goods to your house by
mistake; we were to have taken 1t TO
M Needham's,' mentioning gentle
n,an,s house about five miles distant,
.hut have carried it here instead. We
80 mnch exhausted, for we have walk
ad far and the night is tempestuous,
ond we feel that we can take it no far
sher will you kindly allow us to leave
Il here till morning?"
t.M,ldred looked at the butler inquir-
;nclv before she answered. The old
sa.nt shook his head with a doubt
Ell and suspicious air. whereupOn the
aan who had Just spoken observed,
A ...we do not ask for lodging for our
solves. madam; we shall make our way
to tia nearest public house: 1t Is only
tHs ~ N mack that we wish to leave. It is
vary heavy. and we will call for it in
rocI time tomorrow. We throw our
selyes on YOUR compassion.
.ssIet the poor men leave their large
package. Mildred said Janet, my
Younger cousin, 'and have it put in the
anfe-roorn until tomorrow.
mildred assented, and. in disregard
Of the frowns and ominous looks of the
butler ordered the pack to be carried
into a little room near the entrance.
This Was done, and glad and thank
full was I to see the. door bolte1 and bar
red behind the formidable strangers. 1t
seemed to me dangerous FISK, in our
thinly peopled household, to admit two
strangers at that time Of the evening.
| had noticed, too, that they glanced
about the hall In surreptitlous man
4er. and especially eyed the dog, which