The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1908-09-07
A MYSTERIOUS PACKAGE

ny the Duuef, anu Ine Doafef uhu
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 thine--itt
rested on a table in the drawing
room-studied the address, but could
not recognize in the writing the hahd
of any of her friends. .ttF'
"Pll take off the wrapper num-
said the butler, who felt somewhat
responsible for having taken the
package in and letting the messengeg
escape.
The butler cut the string. removed
the wrapper carefully 80 as not to jar
the contents and laid bare a box
with a sliding cover
There was ring at the doorbell b.
1t so happened that Lord Edward
Tallywag. an impecunious London ;,
swell, who had come over the big
pond with a view to replenish his
exohequer by means of an American
wife, had been invited to dinner he
had proposed for Miss Stsnwoods
hand. to say nothing of her fortune
no, this is technically incorrect--
the settlement was TO be specified in
legal document 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 gple1-
did opportunity he must be relegated
to a position as Lord Tallywags best
man at the wedding. Bob had sub
mitted to the sacrifice SO nobly that
he had been invited 10 dine with his
lordship with a view to getting his
instructions as best man.
Where was /? Oh. / 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
I'm so glad you've come, Lord
Tallywag,' said Mrs. Stanwood ex-
cltedly, ito tell us what to do. Some
one has sent Grace an Internal ma
chine"
Some disappointed lover, sup
pose" remarked his lordship
Dear mel" 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 admitted.
Speak OF Satan" Grace remarked.
hes sure to appear. Lord Tallywag,
this Is our old friend Mr.. Otis.
Delighted to meet you,' said his
lordship stifily.
Glad to know YOU" replied Bob,
bowing formally.
Some one" remarked Mrs. Stan
wood, has sent Grace an Internal
machine. Lord Tallywag suggests
that il may have come from a disap-
pointed lover"
Stanwood's voice caused MIR. Otis TO
draw himself up stiftly. Then he said
coldly:
Since ! am well known TO have
long been an admirer OF the lady In
c"....u g. .H .a.I.-t,'t ugun me 10
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.
You are right" he said TO those
gaping from distance. 1t Is in
deed an Internal machine. | can hear
a ticking. Lord Tallywag, II you will
come here and hold the box 10 your
ear you may hear 1t distinctly"
Good gracious, mani Do you sup
pose I'm an ass?"
You have seen At TO intimate that
an American gentleman would send
his sweetheart who had discarded
him a bomb. 1t becomes me as an
American gentleman to relieve Miss
Stanwood from an unpleasant sltua-
'lOH' hHall open lue pOA'
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 jewelers.
watch case-regarding a lady's watch
OF gold and enamel, set with jewels
Some one has sent you a wedding
PRESENT." said Bob
"Oh, Bob!" she whispered, 81 fear
ed you would be blown to pieces.
You're brave as a lion"
Where is the man who intimat>
ed
In the cellar, / expect" she burst
into laugh.
/. Let us 60 and find him, wish
him to see my vindication."
Lord Tallywag was found In the
oh