The daily Alaskan., 1908-09-30
The Mysterious Package
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[Orlgina, ]

lOrlgina,l
 There was a great ado In the Stan. wood home. A package haI 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 thc package. There was nothing on the wrapper by which the sender could be Identified. The S,aINoods were enormously rich and feared that some socialist or anarchist had sent theI an internal machine. Miss Stauwood looked at the thlnG-it rested on q table in the drawing room-StudiCl the address, but could not recognize in the writing the hand of any or her friends.
 "I'n take off the wrapper mum" said the butler. who felt somewhat re- Sponsiblc 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 sliding cover.
 There was ring at the doorbcll.
 It so happened that Lord Edward Tallywag, an Impccuaious London swell. who had come over the big pond with a view to replenish his cXchcQucr by means of an American wife. had been invited to dinner. IIc had pro- posed for Miss S,a@wood's hand, to say nothing of her rorUuc-uo, this Is technically lucorrcct-thc sc,,ewcu, was to be specified lN legal docu ment. and the matter was as good a. settled. The only thing in tho way had been removed namely, Bob Cti# to whom the lady had Eoca cngngc~ and who had been told that in view e. this splendid opportunity hc mus, ln relegated to a position as Lord Tally wag'S best man at the wedding. Eol had submitted to the sacrifice so no3N that he had been invited to dine with his lordShip with a view to getting hiF instructions as best man.
 Where was |? Oh. remember. There was a ring at the Goorbel, The butler pulled himself together and opened the door. admitting the guos; of the evening. Lord Tallywag. His lordshlp took a view of the situation through his monorlc, surprised to see the family all on the main floor.
 I'm so glad you've come, Lord Tal lywag," said Mrs. Stanwood CXcitcdly, to tell us what to do Some one has sent Grace an internal machine
 Some disappointed lover, suppose ,' remarked his lordship.
 Dear me" exclaimed Mrs. Stan wood. Tt couldn't have been Bob Otis. could it:"
 Mother" Miss Stanwood spoke the 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 TolIywag, this Is our old friend Mr. Otis"
 "Delightcd to meet yOu," said his lordship stlnly.
 Glad to know you" replied Bob lowing formally.
 Some one" remarked Mrs. Stan wood. has sent Grace an internal ma- chine. Lord TOllywag suggests that it may have come from a disappointed lover"
 Something in the tone of Mrs, Stan woods voice caused MT. Otis to draw himself up Stifly. Then he said coldly:
 Since l am well known to have long been an admirer of the lady in qucs ton 1t Is incumbent upon me to prove my innocence Where Is this internal machine:"
 Tn the drawing room" Mrs. Stan wood replied.
 Mir. Otis walked into the drawing room while the others looked on through open doors. Taking the box from the table. he scruunizcd the ud- dress, shook 1t, then held 1t close to his ear.
 You are right" he said 10 those gap ing from a distance. Tt is indeed an internal machine. can hear a ticking Lord Tallywag, If you will come here and hold the box 10 your ear you may hear 1t distinctly"
 Good gracious, man. Do you sup. pose I'm an ass?"
 You have seen fit to Intimate that an American gentleman would send his sweetheart who had discarded him bomb. It becomes me as an Amer lean gentleman to relieve Miss Stan wood from an unpleasant situation. l shall open the box"
 He began to draw the cover, Those looking on, headed by Lord T0llywag, 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-regardlng q lady's watch of gold and enamel, set with jewels.
 Some one has sent you a wedding