Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1908-07-30
The Mysterious ! 2dchago
LOriginal.l l

Ifvered 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 he 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 q HHe 1n the drawing room-studied the address. but could not recognize in the writing the hand of any of her friends.
 9TH 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 box With a sliding cover.
 There was q ring at the doorbell.
 It so happened that Lord Edward Tallywag, an impecunious London swell, who had come over the big pond with d view to replenish his exchequer by means of an American wife, had been invited to dinner. He had pfo- posed for Miss Stanwoods hand, 10 say nothing of her fortunc-no, this is technically incorreet-the settlement was to be specified in a legal doeu-. ment and the matter was as 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 q position as Lord Tally wag.s best man at the wedding. Bob had submitted to the sacrifice so noby that he had been invited to dine with his lordship with l view to getting his instructions as best man
 Where was |: Oh. 1 remember. There was q ring at the doorbell. The butler pulled himself together and opened the door, admitting the stest of the evening, Lord Tallywag. His lordship took q view of the situation through his monoce, surprised to see the family all on the main floor
 I'm so glad you've come, Lord Tai. Iywag," said Mrs. Stanwood excitedly. "to tell Us what to do Some one has sent Grace an informal machine"
 sSome disappointed lover, suppose" remarked his loilship.
 sDear ine," exclaimed Mrs. Stan wood .sl couldn't have been Bob Otis could it?,'
 Il {t,., word responsibility.
 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
 ''Delishted 10 meet you said his lordship stitHy.
 H'Glad to know you" replied Bot, lowing formally.
 "Some o4e," remarked Mrs Stan wood, ..has sent Grace all internal ma chine. Lord Tallywa@ suggests that it may hay come from disappointed lover"
 Something in the tone of Mrs. Stan woods voice caused Ali Otis to draw himself up stifiiy. Then he said cold!y:
 'SSince am well known to have long been an aumirer of the lady in ques- tion il is incumbent upon me 10 proEa my innocence Where Is this infernaI machne:
 Tn the drawing room," Mrs. Stan. wood replied
 Mr. Otis walked into the dla wing room while the others looked en through open doors. Taking the box fcom the table, Ae scrutinized the aa dress, shook it, then held it coss. to his ear
 ',You ale right he said to those gap. ing from distance. "It is indeed an internal maetline. can hear |, ticking Lord TallyWag, if you will come here and hold the box 10 your ear you may hear it distinctly"
 Good gracious. man, Do you sup pose I'm an ass:'
 ou have seen fit to intimate that an American gentleman would send his sweetheart who had discarded him bomb. It becomes ne as an Amer lean gentleman to relieve Miss Stan wood from an unpleasant situation. shall open the box"
 He began to draw the cover. Those looking on, headed by Lord Tallywag, rushed to the rear of the house, some stopping in the dining room, though his lordship did not pause till he had gone out at the kitchen door into the yard. Some minutes passed. Grace Stanwood went back to the drawing room and looked through the open door. On the table stood the box, the cover removed, while Bob stood With an inner box in his hand-a jew elers watch case-regarding a lady's watch of gold and enamel. set with Jewels
 Some one has sent you wedding present." said Bob.
 Oh, Bobt' she whispered "I feared