Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1909-01-01
The Mysterious PaCkage
IOriginal.l

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
able In the drawing reconstructed the
address, but could not recognize In the
writing the hand of any of her friends.
"I'll take off the wrapper, mum,
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
O sliding cover.
There was a ring at the doorbell.
1t so happened that Lord Edward
Tallywag, an impecunious London
swell, who had come over the big pond
with a 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, TINS Is
technically incorrect-the settlement
was to be specified in legal docu-
ment. and the matter was as gocd as
settled. The only thing in the way
| had been removed-namely. Bob Otis,
+1,o JoI hod hhoJ rcd
| and who had been told that in view OF
| this splendid opportunity he must be
| relegated to a position as Lord Tally
| ways best man at the wedding Bob
/ had submitted to the sacrifice so nobly
that he had been invited to dine with
his lordship with view to getting his
Instructions as best man.
Where was |? Oh. l remember!
| There was 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 monocie. surprised to see
he family all on the main floor.
, I'm so glad you've come, Lord Tai
Ilywag." 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. at couldn't have been Bob Otis
could it?''
i "Motherr' Miss Stanwood spoke the
| word reproachfully.
] Another ring at the doorbell. This
time Bob Otis himself was admitted.
Speak of Satan" Grace remarked
hes sure to appear. Lord Tallywag
this is our old friend Mr.. OTIS
Delighted to meet you,' said hi
i ordship stiff1y.
"Glad to know you," replied Boil
l bowling formally.
"Some one" remarked Mrs. Star
/ wood. ''has sent Grace an Internal ma
] chine. Lord Tallywag suggests that
Ttmay have come from a disappolnte
lover"
Something in the tone of Mrs. Star
uwood's voice caused Mr.. Otis to dra'
himself up stiffiy. Then he said coldl1
"Since 1 am well known to have lon
been an admirer of the lady in que
ton it is incumbent upon me to prov
my innocence. Where is this inferno
machine?"
SIN the drawing ROOM" Mrs. Stal
wood replied.
Mr.. Otis walked into the draw1r
room while the others looked
through open doors Taking the be
from the table, he scrutinized the a
dress, shook it, then held it close
his ear.
Il "You are right" he. said to those ga
ing from a distance. ut is indeed
internal machine. l can hear uckin
- Lord Tallywag. if you will come he
n land hold the box to your ear you M
- hear it distinctly"
"Good gracious, man! Do you su
pose I'm an asst?
"You have seen fit to intimate tn
Ian American gentleman would SCI
his sweetheart who had discarded HI
a bomb. 1t becomes me as an Ann
lean gentleman to relieve Miss Sta
IWOOQ IrOu Ill uLplCaSohI
shall open the box"
He began to draw the cover Tho
looking on, headed by Lord Tallyw'
rusbed to the rear of the hou
( some stopping in the dining roo
though his lordship did not pause
he had gone out at the kitchen d.
into the yard. Some minutes pass
Grace Stanwood went back to
drawing room and looked through
omen door On the table stood the b
the cover removed, while Bob ST.
with an inner box in his hand-a j
eIer's watch caSe-regard1ng lac
watch Of gold and enamel, set W
Jewels.
"Some one has sent you wedd
= present" said Bob
ooh. Bobr' she whispered. Il fea
IL YOU would be blown to pieces. Yo'
IN, brave as lion."
"Where is the man who intlmatee
"In the cellar, I expect" She b'
into laugh.
LET us go and find him. 1 wish
to see my vindication.'
,oLo Lord Tallywag was found In the
''0"' ward and shown the contents OF
box. Then Bob Otis excused him
from dining with one who had char
him with intent to do cowardly
der and departed.
The episode overbalanced Miss 5
woods desire for title. She shlE
his lordship and married Bob Otis
was rot till after they We're mar
that Bob confessed he had sent
Internal machine.
FLORENCE NORTO