Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1909-03-05
The Mysterious Package
1Original.l

package There was nothing on the |
wrapper by which the sender could
be identified. The StanwoodS were |
socialist or anarchist had sent them
an internal machine. Miss Stanwood |
looked at the thing-it rested on a |
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, 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 |
sliding cover.
There was ring at the doorbell.
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-
DOStu LUZ hlSS OtdA w OOu AdAO, "
say nothing Of her fortune this is
technically incorrect-the settlement
was to be specified in a 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 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 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 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 1 suppose"
remarked his lordship.
Dear me.' exclaimed Mrs. Stan
wood. at couldn't have been Bob Otis.
could it?'
"Mothery' 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 his
lordship stiffly.
"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 disappointed
lover"
Something in the tone of Mrs. Stan
woods voice caused Mr.. Otis to draw
himself up stiffiy. 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?'
GIN 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 adj
dress, shook it, then held it close to
his ear
"You are right" he said to those gap
ing from a distance. at is indeed an
Internal machine. l can hear ticking.
Lord Tallywag, if you will come here
and hold the box to your ear you may
hear it distinctly"
"Good gracious, mani 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
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
eler's watch case-regarding a lady's
watch of gold and enamel, set with
Jewels.
"Some one has sent you wedding
PRESENT." said Bob.
ooh, Bobr' she whispered. Il feared
you would be blown to pieces. You're
brave as lion.'
"Where is the man who intimated''-
'In the cellar, expect" She burst
into laugh.
Let us go and find him. wish him
to see my vindication.'
Lord Tallywag was'found in the back
yard and shown the contents of the
box. Then Bob Otis excused himself
from dining with one who had charged
him with intent to do a cowardly muir
der and departed.
The episode overbalanced Miss Stan.
woods desire for a title. She shipped
his lordship and married Bob Otis. 1t
was not till after they were married
that Bob confessed he had sent the