The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1908-09-01
The Mysterious Package



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
III 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 doorbel.
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 Stanwood's hand, to
say nothing of her fortune-no, this is
technically incorrect-the settlement
was to be specified in legal docu-
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 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
his lordship with a view to getting his
Instructions as best man.
Where was /? Oh. l 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 mer exclaimed Mrs. Stan |
wood. 1T couldn't have been Bob Otis. |
could it?''
Mother 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 stif1y.
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 stifiiy. Then he said coldly:
Since / am well known to have long
been an admirer of the lady in ques-
ton it is incumbent upon me to prove
my innocence. Where is this Internal
machine?"
In the drawing ROOM" Mrs. Stan
wood replied.
Mr.. Otis walked into the drawing
room while the others looked on
through open doors. Taking the box
from the table, he scrutinized the ad-
dress, shook it, then held it close to
his ear.
you are right" he said to those gap.
ing from a distance. 1T is indeed an
Internal machine. / can hear a ticking.
Lord Tallywag, if you will come here
and hold the box to your ear you may
hear it 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
a Domb. 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. 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 Iady's
watch of gold and enamel, set with 1
Jewels. ,
Some one has sent you wedding
presentY' said Bob. r.
"Oh, Bob!' she whispered 81 feared
you would be blown to pieces. You're
brave as lion"