The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1901-03-29
; A Po0f Of Salt Wafer
A Ghost Story.
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"This is the seaweed ROOM" announced
the housekeeper, putting a key into the
lock. Its been shut up for long time
and will be bit musty."
With this she threw open the stout
oaken door, and we entered q square
apartment, darkened by closed shutters
and heavy with a 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 futtering 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 chara cter to the room
ALI the choice varieties are in these glass
cases and pressed In this pile of scrap
books, with notes and explanations under
EN-"
"Did Professor Lnwood collect these
specimens himselfr' asked.
II 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 sunken 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 sesweed you want
You can examine 1t 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 a 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 q 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 1t surrounded the
only portrait in the room-that of
young girl, with frank, pleasing eyes
and q sweet mouth.
The housekeeper, who had excused
herself for a 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. Linwood. the professors wife"
replied the woman, giving a quick. aD-
prehensive look at it over her shoulder.
"Then," replied my companion. its
no wonder the professor took no more
voyages after his marriage"
81 said he collected no more seaweed,
SIR" responded the housekeeper. HE
made one voyage directly after his mar
rage and took his bride with him. The
vessel was wrecked In a terrific storm,
and only a few of the passengers were
saved. Mrs. Linwood was among the
lost"
THAT was an odd coincidence-that
she should be lost and he be saved" ]
said half questioningly.
"Well, sir, that leads up to the most
peculiar story you ever heard. AS long
as the professor lived ] never dared
breathe it, but now he's gone might
relate q strange circumstance In connec-
ton with this ROOM"
We encouraged her so much that the
good woman began Immediately.
"It was not until the professor was
nearly 60 that he thought of taking a
wife. Then he was very foolish. If !
may be allowed to say It, for he fell In
love with little girl only Is, and. he be-
ing rich. her parents favored the match.
though she was much attached to a sec
-,,I ,ctr aR hnr a fnIInw
an importing house, poor, but with good
prospects, and as luck would have 1t
this cousin was on the same steamer
that took the professor and his bride to
China, he going there on business for
his firm.
at must have been hard for the two
Door young things to be doomed to such a
long voyage under such circumstances,
especially as the professor was Of an IN
tensely Jealous disposition and forbade
his wife to speak to her cousin.
"But, as l said, the vessel ran aground
In a storm and sank almost Immediately.
Mrs. Linwood was drowned, and her hus-
band came back q changed man. broken
in mind and body. He had even lost his
interest in his particular fad, and l have
seen him shudder at the sight of piece
of seaweed He locked up his room. and
/ never saw him enter 1t again except on
one notable occasion"
what was thatr' inquired my COM
panion.
"Well, you see. not having his scientific
studies to take up his mind. the poor
man became very lonesome and morbid.
He never wanted to be alone and must
needs have a houseful of company the
whole time. This was easy, for he had
great many nephews and nieces, and
they, with their friends, kept US IN a
state Of commotion. especially during the
holidays and in summer vacations.
"One Christmas eve Sis favorite neph-
ew, Jack Newton, came late In the even
ing, and to save my soul ! didn't know
where to put him to sleep. He was q
merry, rollicking lad of II, and he said
he'd sleep In the attic-anywhere SO that
he got a chance at the dinner next day
always thinking of his stomach. like any
healthy boy.
1.-THE attic was. ont Of the nuestion:
suddenly q thought came to me, and
asked him IL he'd mind sleeping In the
seaweed room.
"Just the thing-awfully jolly said
the boy, giving me q squeeze that nearly
broke my neck.
"'Then not q word to your uncle
said as soon as could speak.
"'Mum's the word said the boy, with
q wink.
$50 l fixed him M n bed on this ERE
couch we're a-sitting on and as 1t was
bitter cold started hit of fire In the
crate. Then locked him in and carried
away the key. 30 that if Ivy some strange
chance the professor should stray up
there late In the evening he would find
the key gone and probably think 1t had