The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1899-02-10
PHANTOM SHIP
The Flying Dutchman.
.S1-gY MARRYAT.

Coy CAPTAIN MARRYAT.

I
poured down. | felt unusual fear-I
knew not why. rose from the couch,
and dipped my finger in the blessed
water, and crossed myself A violent
gust of wind roared round the house,
and alarmed me still more. had a
painful, horrible foreboding; when, Of
a sudden, the windows and window
shutters were blown in, the light was
extinguished and l was left in utter
darkness. l screamed with fright; but
at last l recovered myself, and was
proceeding toward the window that l
might reclose it, when whom should 1
behold, slowly entering at the case
ment, but-your father-Philip! Yes,
Philip, it was your father!"
"Merciful God!" muttered Philip in
low tone almost subdued to whis-
per-
II knew not what to think-he was
in the room; and although the dark
ness was intense, his form and fea-
lures were as clear and as defined as if
it were MONDAY Fear would have in
clined me to recoil from-his loved
presence to fly toward him. remain
ed on that spot where l was, choked
with agonizing sensations. When he
had entered the room, the windows and
shutters closed Of themselves, and the
candle was relighted-then l thought
it was his apparition, and l tainted on
the floor.
when | recovered l found myself
on the couch, and perceived that a cold
oh, how cold!-and dripping hand
was clasped in mine. This treasured
me, and l forgot the supernatural
signs which accompanied his appear
ance. l imagined that he had been I'M
fortunate, and had returned home. I
opened my eyes, and beheld my loved
husband, and threw myself into his
arms. His clothes were saturated with
rain; felt as if | had embraced ice
but nothing can check the warmth of
womans love, Philip. He received my
caresses, but he caressed not again; he
spoke not, but looked thoughtfully and
unhappy. 'William-William," cried l;
speak, Vanderdecken; speak to your
dear Catherine
al WILL replied he, solemnly, for
my time is short
"'No, no, you must not go to sea
again; you have lost your vessel; but
you are safe. Have l not you again.?
"'Alas, no-be not alarmed, but lis
ten, for my time is short. l have not
lost my vessel, Catherine, but I have
lost Make no reply, but listol. ]
am not dead, nor yet am l alive. l
hover between this world and the
world of spirits. Mark me.
"For nine weeks did l try to force
my passage against the elements round
the stormy Cape, but without success;
and l swore terribly. For nine weeks
more did l carry sail against the ad-
verse winds and currents, and yet
could gain no ground; and then I
terribly blasphemed.
Yet still persevered. The crew, worn
out with long fatigue, would have had
me return to the Table Bay but l re-
fused; nay more, became murderer
.unintentionally, it is true, but still
q murderer The pilot opposed me,
and persuaded the men to bind me, and
in the excess of my fury, when he took
me by the collar, l struck at him; he
reeled; and with the sudden lurch Of
~ -,o.,o1 he Foil OvarhOord opd conk
Even this fearful death did not re-
strain me; and 1 swore by the frag-
ment of the Holy Cross, preserved in
that relic now hanging round your
neck, that l would gain my point in
defiance of storm and seas, of light
ming, of Heaven, or of hell, even If l
should beat about until the Day of
Judgment
"'My oath was registered in thun-
der. and in streams of sulphurous fire.
The hurricane burst upon the ship, the
canvas flew away in ribbons; noun
tains of seas swept over us, and in the
center of a deep overhanging cloud,
which shrouded all in utter darkness,
were written in letters of livid flame,
these words Until the Day of Judg
ment.
"'Listen to me, Catherine, my time
Is short. One hope alone remains, and
for this I am permitted to come here.
Take this letter. He put a sealed
paper on the table. Read it, Catherine
dear, and try if you can assist me.
Read it. and now farewell-my time
is come
again the window and window
shutters burst open-again the light
was extinguished, and the form of my
husband was, as it were. waited in the
dark expanse. 1 started up and fol-
lowed him with outstretched arms and
frantic screams as he sailed through
the window; my glaring eyes beheld
his form borne away like lightning on
the wings Of the wild gale till it was
lost as a speck of light, and then it
Again the windows
closed, the light burned, and was left
alone!
Heaven have mercy! My brain!-
my brain! Philip!-Philip!" shrieked
the poor woman; don't leave me
don't-don't-pray don'ti"
During these exclamations the fran
tice widow had raised herself from the