Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1909-03-19
The Mysterious Package
lOriginal.1

table 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
a sliding cover.
There was a ring at the doorbell
It 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 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 L? Oh, l rememberl
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 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,
''to tell us what to do. Some one has
sent Grace an Internal machine"
"Some disappointed lover, suppose"
remarked his lordship.
"Dear meT exclaimed Mrs. Stan
wood at couldn't have been Bob Otis.
could it?''
"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 his
lordship stif1ly.
"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 stif1ly. Then he said coldly:
"Since l am well known, to have long
been an admirer of the lady in cues
ton it is incumbent upon me to prove
my innocence. Where is this Internal
machire:"
In the drawing reom," Mrs Stan
wood replied
MIR. Otis walked into the dia living
soom while the others looked on
through ope.l doors Taking the box
from the table, he scrutini&e,l the adj
dress, shook Ii, then held it close t.
his ear
You are right he said to those gap
ing fro;l Il distance. 1T is indeed an
Internal machine. can hear q ticking
Lord TailyWag If you will come here
hear it distinctly"
Good gracious, man. 30 you sup
pose I'm al ASST
'You have seen fit to intimate that
an American gentleman would send
bis sweetheart who had discarded him
q bomb 1t becomes Inc as an Amer
lean gentleman to relieve Miss Stan
wood from an. unpleasant situation. 1
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 banda jew
eler's watch regarding lady's
watch of gold and enamel, set with
Jewels.
"Some one has sent you wedding
PRESENT." said Bob.
"Oh, Bobr' she whispered 81 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 a 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
internal machine.
FLORENCE NORTON!
in Strange Land.
Two beiated disciples of Hacehus