The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1908-09-04
The Mysterious Package


lOrisinall
There was a great ado In the stan
wood home. A package had been q,
iiycrcd at the door addressed 90 Mis-
Grace Stanwood had been received b.
the butler. and the bearer had gon
away without stating who sent an
package. There was nothing on th
wrapper 10y which the sender coul,
be identified. The Stauwools wer
enormously rich and feared that Som'
socialist or anarchist had sent then
an Internal machine. Miss Stanwoot
looked at the thing 20 rested ON ,
table Do the drawing room studied %,
address but could not recognize In the
writing the hand OF any of her friends
an take OF the wrapper, num-
said the butler who felt somewhat To-
sponsiule for having taken the pack
age iu aud letting the messenger es
cape.
The butler cut the string, removed
the wrapper carefully So as not 20 jan
the contents and laid bare box witt
sliding cover
There was ring no the d0orheil
20 So happened That lord Edward
Taiiywag. au mpccm.ous London
sw.l who had come over the big ponl
with view 10 rcpleuish his cychcquei
ly means of an American wife, had
been invited TO dinner lie bad pro
posed FOR Miss Stanwoods hand. &C.
say nothing OF her fortune no. this is
technically Incorrect the settlement
was TO be specified in q legal docu
meut. and the matter was as good as
settled The only thing in tho way
had been removed namely. Bob OTIS
20 whom the lady had been engaged
and who had been told that in view of
this splendid opportunity De must De
relegated to n position as Lord Tally
wags best man at the wedding Bot
had submitted 10 the sacrifice so nOhly
that be had been invited TO dine with
his lorlship with a view to getting bis
instructions as best man.
Where was !? oh. remember
There was ring az the doorben The
butler pulled himself together and
opened the door, admitting the guest
Of the evening, Lord Tallyvag. His
lordship took view Of the situation
through his monocle, surprised 10 see
the family all on the main floor.
I'm SO glad you've come. Lord Tai |
lywag." said Mrs. Stanwood excitedly |
TO tell us what to do Some one has |
sent Grace an Internal machine"
Some disappointed lover, l suppose"
remarked his lordshlp.
Dear me!' exclaimed Mrs Stan
wood. 1T couldn't have been Bob Otis
could itT'
"Motherw Miss Stanwood spoke the
word reproachfully.
Another ring at the doorbell. This
time Bob Otis himself was admitted.
Speak Of Satan." Grace remarked.
"he's sure to appear. Lord Tallywag
this is our old friend Mr.. Otis"
Delighted TO meet you.' said his
lordship stlmy.
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 it
may have come from a disappointed
lover"
Something in the tone Of Mrs. Stan.
woods voice caused Mr.. Otis to draw
himself up stifly. Then he said coldly.
"Since am well known to have long
been an admirer Of the lady in ques-
ion it IS incumbent upon me to prove
my innocence. Where is this Internal
nachineT7
In the drawing ROOM" Mrs. Stan
wood replied
Mr. Otis walked into the drawing
Dom while the others looked on
through open doors. Taking the box
rom the table, he scrutlnlzed the ad-
lress, shook 1t. then held it close to
lis ear.
you are right" he said 10 those gap
ng from a distance 1T is indeed an
nfernal machine. l can hear ticking.
ord Tallywag, If you will come here
nd hold she box to your ear you may
ear IL distinctly"
Good gracious, man. DO you sup.
Ose I'm an assT
you have seen fit 10 intimate that
"A American gentleman would send
is sweetheart who had discarded him
bomb. II becomes me as an Amer
an gentleman to relieve Miss Stan
God from an unpleasant situation. / O.
hall open the box" D.
He began 10 draw the cover. Those
oking on, headed by Lord Tallywag. r
ished TO the rear Of the house. ~
,me stopping in the dining room. tC
Tough his lordship did not pause till NJ
2 had gene out at the kitchen door .,
to the yard. Some minutes passed '
race StanwoOd went back 10 the m
'awing room and looked through the IL
zen door On the table stood the box, ,
10 cover removed, while Bob stood ~
It'll an Inner box In his banda Jew Ia
ers watch case-regarding q lady's M
atch Of gold and enamel, set with
wells. 10
Some one has sent you a wedding W
esentf" said Bob.
'Oh, Bobr she whispered Il feared -
n would be blown to pieces You're X
ave as lion"
Where IS the man who intimated"- -
In the cellar, l expect" She burst
10 laugh
Let US go aud find him. wish him
see my yindicatiOn."
Lord Tallywag was found IN the back
I'd and shown the contents OF the
K. Then Bob Otis excused himself
IN dining with one who had charged
N with Intent TO do a cowardly muir
r and departed.
The episode overbalanced Miss Stan
'od's desire for a title. She shippe'
lordship and married Bob Otis. II
IS not tn after they were married
II Bob confessed he had sent the
ernal machine