The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1899-03-09
THE STRANGE STORY
OF A BOX - ~ - y
By Constance c. Halkett

WAS sitting by my library fire one
evening, smoking, when my man
servant informed me that large box
had arrived l suddenly remembered
that it was my birthday. and that |
had casually mentioned the fact TO my
friend Brindle.
Now Brindle was much addicted to
the playing of practical jokes (this to
me was flaw in an otherwise delight
full character), and perhaps on this
occasion | might be the victim. so | told
the man to help me carry it into the L.
,brary and then he might go.
The box, which was a long and
rather narrow one, was noticed. per-
forated in every direction. 1t was fas-
tened with paddock, in which I found
the key.
l opened it and started back in
amazement. for inside it lay one Of the
most beautiful women it has ever been
my lot to see, and she was either
asleep or dead.
She was dressed in a long. trailing
robe of violet velvet-what woman
would, think describe as a ''teagown:"
The train of it made a sort of cushion for
her head, and over it strayed long
strands of golden hair.
| fetched a mirror and held it to her
lips; faint cloud spread over it at
once.
She was not dead then, but sleeping.
1et-who sent her here? And why in
such a plight?
l had no women folk to apply to in
my dilemma; besides, ones women
folk are apt to look askance at
strangers" of their own sex, especially
if these are very beautiful.
| decided hurriedly to call my man
Burns, very excellent servant. who
had been with me for years. And he APP
Peared with such CELEBRITY that a sus-
picion crossed my mind-but no. sure
ly he was above spying through key
holes!
pointed to the girl, and asked him
helplessly what l should do.
"Do, sir? Why, send for the nearest
doctor, and for a detective from Scot
land Yard
"Of course!" I cl4sd. "Why didn't
think Of that myself? Take a cab and
do both errands-I will stay here in case
she awakes."
He went off at once He had hardly
been gone ten minutes when the door
bell rang. | opened it myself and adj
mitted tall. thin man, who announced
that policeman had asked him to call
at my house, and that his name was DR..
Smith, of Nj street.
"A policeman-you meant my serv-
ant"
no, l don't. l mean a policeman"
he said testify. where is the patient?
am busy man, sir and can't afford
TO waste time"
Rather bewildered, led the way to
the library-and in a few words told
him my story, and showed him the
white figure lying so still and beautiful
in those regal velvet robes.
He crossed the room to look closer.
Good heavens!" he said. 1T is Mile.
Sophie Seslagin, Russian lady and a
patient of my own. What can this
mean?" He proceeded to investigate
what would be the cause of her strange
trance-like sleep.
''She has been drugged," he said. 81
once studied in Russia, and there they
use curiously smelling herb, for such
purposes, difficult to detect unless one
is used to dealing with it,
"All that is very interesting-toy YOU"
said impatiently. But what am to
do?"
Il will send you a nurse at once" he
said. Have you spare room? Good!
The nurse is a sensible woman and will !
put the lady to bed and ask no oues-
tions except of a professional descrip-
ton.
Nov, you must excuse me; am
watching a very interesting case. | !
will call again in the morning; mean
while l can do nothing. No drug known |
acts on a patient under the influence of |
the onel | mentioned; she will wake |
naturally in about ~ hours time"
And with that the doctor hurried away. |
The next person to arrive was the de-
.tective (his name was Holiness, to
whom | repeated my story.
He listened attentively, looked at Mile. |
Seslagin, but made no remark worth |
relating, and presently went away,
after giving me strict injunctions to |
allow no one access to my strange guest |
but the nurse and the doctor. | prom
Used to attend to his warning and |
showed him out myself to find on the !