The sun., 1901-01-07
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!. A Poof Of 5aft Walter
. a 6hosI STORY.
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A Ghost Story.


lock. '.It's been shut up for long time
and will be bit musty."
With this she threw open the stout
oaken door, and we entered square
apartment, darkened by closed shutters
aud heavy with strong, pungent odor.
As our guide raised window and open
ed the blinds there was a rustling all
about us of the fight of pigeons. This
was caused by the fluttering of quanti-
ties of dry seaweed which were festooned
upon the walls and over the doors and
windows.
THAT'S nothing but common seaweed,"
said the good woman, noticing our inter-
ested glances. Its used only as an or
nament and to give character TO the room.
All the choice varieties are in these glass
cases and pressed in this pile Of scrap
books, with notes and explanations under
EN-"
Ibid Professor Linwood collect these
specimens himself" l asked.
Il suppose SO. He used to go on long
voyages to the tropics and come home
laden with new varieties, and then he'd
spend months classifying and arranging
them. He was a diver in his younger
days and after that made contracts for
lifting snnken vessels or exploring old
hulks that had money or merchandise on
board. He'd put on his diving suit and
go down with his men, I've heard tell,
and many's the strange adventures he's
had in ships at the bottom of the ocean,
so he told me one day when he felt chat
ty. That's how he first took to collecting
seaweeds. He ransacked the bottom of
the sea to get specimens. But after his
marriage he never seemed to care for it
any more. But perhaps all this don't in
terest you. It's the seaweed you want.
You can examine it as much as you like"
We did SO and fingered long. held by
the charm of this strange room, that
was redolent with the mysteries Of the
great deep. We sat on u couch, talking
in low tones and listening TO the rustling
seaweeds over our heads, our feet rest
ing on some OF the same material which
had been fashioned into a rude mat that
covered the floor and also the divan on
which we were seated. The whole apart
ment was full OF 1t in all forms and
phases. A wreath of it surrounded the
only portrait in the room-that of a
young girl, with frank, pleasing eyes
| and sweet mouth.
The housekecper. who had excused
| herself for few moments, now return
| ed with tea and biscuits. As she pour
| ed the fragrant beverage into little fat
cups we ventured to inquire who the
| original of the picture was.
| "Mrs. Liawood. the professors wife,
replied the woman, giving a quick, ap-
prehensive look at it over her shoulder.
"Then," replied my companion, ''it's
no wonder the professor took no more
voyages after his marriage"
II said he collected no more seaweed
sir" responded the housckccper. HE
made one voyage directly after his mar.
riage and took his bride with him. The
vessel was. wrecked in terrific storm
and only few Of the passengers were
saved. Mrs. Linwood was among the
| lost"
THAT was an odd coincidence-that
she should he lost and he be saved"
said half questioningly.
"Well, sir, that leads up 10 the most
peculiar story you ever heard. As long
as the professor lived never dareC
breathe il, but now he's gone might
relate strange circumstance in connec
tion with this room"
We encouraged her so much that thu
good woman began Immediately.
1T was not until the professor wa:
nearly GO that he thought of taking ,
wife. Then he was very foolish, if
may be allowed to say it, for he fell il
love with little girl only Is, and, he be
ing rich, her parents favored the match
though she was much attached to sec
ond cousin Of hers, younger fellow II
an importing house, poor, but with goot
prospects, and as luck would have i
this cousin was on the same steame
that took the professor and his bride t.
China, he going there Oh business fo
his firm.
at must have been hard for the tw,
poor young things to be doomed to such
long voyage under such circumstances
especially as the professor was of an in
tensely jealous disposition and forbad
his wife to speak to her cousin.
But, as | said, the vessel ran agroun,
in a storm and sank almost Immediately
Mrs. Linwoodl was drowned, and her hus
band came back a changed man, broke
in mind and body. He had even lost hi
interest in his particular fad, and hay
seen him shudder at the sight of n piec
of seawced. He locked up his room, an
| never saw him enter it again except o
one notable OCCASION"
"What was that?" inquired my CON
panion.
well, you see, not having his scientifi
; studies TO take up his mind, the poo
man became very lonesome and morbit
He never wanted to be alone and mus
needs have al houseful of company th
whole time. This was easy, for he had
great many nephews and nieces, an
. they, with their friends, kept US in
: state of commotion, especially during th
holidays and in summer vacations.
"Ohe Christmas eve his favorite nepl
: ew, Jack Newton, came late in the evei
ing, and to save my soul didn't kno
where TO pu, him to sleep. He was
merry, rollcking lad of II, and he sal
he'd sleep in the attic-anywhere SO thi
he got chance at the dinner next day
always thinking of his stomach, like an
J healthy boy.
"'rhr attic was out Of the question
suddenly q thought came to me, and
asked him If he'd mind sleeping in Il
seaweed room.
, !" Just the thing-awfully jolly sa
the boy, giving me squeeze that near
broke my neck.
Then not word to your uncle
said as soon as I could speak.
NUNS the word said the boy, wit
wink.
so ! fixed him up bed on this 'e
couch we're a-sitting on and as it W!
bitter cold started a bit of fire in Il
CRATE. Then locked him in and carrie
away the key, so that if by some stranl
chance the professor should stray |
e there late in the evening he would fiji
the key gone and probably think it hs
been mislaid, for it usually hung on ms
beside the door.
! "If I'd knawn tho nnaar tricks of til