The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1908-12-21
The Mysterious Package
rOriginal.I


There was great ado in the STAN
wood home. A package had been de-
livered at the door addressed to Miss
Grace Stanwood, had been received by
the butler, and the bearer had gone
away without stating who sent the
package There was nothing on the
wrapper by which the sender could
be identified The Stanwoods were
enormously rich and feared that some
socialist or anarchist had sent them
an internal machine. Miss Stanwood
looked at the thing-it rested on a
table in the drawing reconstructed the
address, but could not recognize in the
writing the hand of any of her friends.
I'll take off the wrapper, num-"
said the butler, who felt somewhat re-
sponsible for having taken the pack
age in and letting the messenger es-
cape.
The butler cut the string, removed
the wrapper carefully so as not to jar
the contents and laid bare a box with
a sliding cover
There was a ring at the doorbell
1t so happened that Lord Edward
Tallywag, an impecunious London
swell, who had come over the big pond
with view to replenish his exchequer
by means of an American wife, had
been invited to dinner He had pro-
posed for Miss Stanwoods hand, to
say nothing of her fortune-no, this Is
technically incorrect-the settlement
was to be specified in a legal docu-
ment, and the matter was a. good as
settled. The only thing in the way
had been removed-namely, Bob Otis,
to whom the lady had been engaged
and who had been told that in view of
this splendid opportunity he must be
relegated to a position as Lord Tally
wag's best man at the wedding. Bob
had submitted to the sacrifice so nobly
that he had been invited to dine with
instructions as best man.
Where was L? Oh, 1 remember!
There was a ring at the doorbell. The
butler pulled himself together and
opened the door, admitting the guest
of the evening, Lord Tallywag. His
lordship took a view of the situation
through his monocle, surprised to see
the family all on the main floor.
I'm so glad you've come, Lord Tai
lywag," said Mrs. Stanwood excitedly,
ito tell us what to do. Some one has
sent Grace an Internal machine"
Some disappointed lover, suppose
remarked his lordship.
Dear nev' exclaimed Mrs. Stan
wood. 1T couldn't have been Bob Otis
could it?'
"Motherw Miss Stanwood spoke the
word reproachfully.
Another ring at the doorbell This
time Bob Otis himself was admitted.
Speak of Satan." Grace remarked
she's sure to appear. Lord Tallywag
| this is our old friend Mr.. OTIS"
Delighted to meet you," said his
lordship stifiy.
"Glad to know you," replied Bob
bowling formally.
Some one" remarked Mrs. Stan
wood, has sent Grace an Internal ma
chine. Lord Tallywag suggests that il
may have come from a disappointed
lover"
Something in the tone of Mrs. Stan
woods voice caused Mr.. Otis to draw
himself up stiff1y. Then he said coldly
"Since / am well known to have Ions
been an admirer of the lady in ques
ton it is incumbent upon me to prove
my innocence. Where is this inferno
machine?'
I'm the drawing ROOM" Mrs. Stan
wood replied.
Mr.. Otis walked into the drawing
room while the others looked OF
through open doors. Taking the boz
from the table, he scrutinized the ad
dress, shook it, then held it close t,
his ear
You are right" he said to those gap
ing from a distance. ct is indeed al
internal machine l can hear ticking
, Lord Tallywag, If you will come her,
and hold the box to your ear you ma,
hear 1t distinctly"
Good gracious, mani Do you sup
, pose I'm an ass?''
You have seen fit to intimate tina
an American gentleman would sent
AAo SNtctACcilL WIZ ndu u1SCdIuGu
t bomb. 1t becomes me as an Amer
! lean gentleman to relieve Miss Stan
: wood from an unpleasant situation.
shall open the box"
He began to draw the cover Thos
looking on, headed by Lord Tallywae
rushed to the rear of the house
some stopping in the dining room
though his lordship did not pause til
he had gone out at the kitchen doc
into the yard. Some minutes passed
Grace Stanwood went back to tn
/ drawing room and looked through tn
open door On the table stood the box
g the cover removed, while Bob stoo
with an inner box in his hand-a jew
eler's watch case-regarding a lady
watch of gold and enamel, set wit
jewels.
!. "Some one has sent you a weddin
? PRESENT." said Bob
: "Oh, Bobi'' she whispered. 81 feare
! you would be blown to pieces. Your
, brave as a lion"
5 Where is the man who minated
) ''In the cellar, l expect" She burs
: into laugh.
5 LET us go and find him. 1 wish hiI
to see my vindication."
t Lord Tallywag was found in the bac