Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1903-03-05

the bridegroom, began to act queerly, |
but did not think his actions were Of
much Importance. They retired as
usual, after a particularly merry evens
ing, but he previously distributed some
money among the crew, who had done
many little things for the pair which
were not in their line Of duty. About
midnight, while was reading in my
cabin, woman's piercing scream came
from the bridal couples stateroom, a
pistol shot then followed. I rushed
upon deck just in time to see the bride. ]
groom throw his brides body over
board, and himself following it into
the sea. Well, the night was intensely
dark, so, while stopped the ship and
lowered a boat, could find no trsrsa
Of either of them, and proceeded on
my way. Their cabin presented no un-
usual appearance, save for small pool
Of blood which was upon the floor.
The revolver could not be found, and
it must have accompanied the mur-
derer to his watery grave. OF course
the tragedy, unexplainable as it
seemed, created a sensation through
out the ship, and still greater SEN
sation when we reached port and re-
ported it to the authorities. It then
transpired that the couple had wealthy
connections in an Eastern State. But
the extra ordinary fact was also
learned that about six months previous
the father of the bridegroom became
suddenly insane and shot his wife. He
then carried her body to a nearby lake
and jumped with it into the water
The two bodies, with his arms en-
twined around her form, were found
on the following day, and coroner's
jury returned the verdict of murder
and suicide committed by the husband
while in sudden insane frenzy. When
the coroner's jury, who considered the
| case of the bridal couple, heard all
! the evidence, they returned a similar
verdict. On the anniversary of the
| tragedy the transparent form of the
brides bust and head appears, accom-
| panied by the three knocks. Yester-
day completed the tenth year since the
occurrence of the tragedy.
| GAS for the three knocks. Well, I
!
happened at supper on the fatal night.
While we were engaged in general con-
versation three distinct knocks, as if
| made on the underside Of the table,
startled us all. Inquiry proved that
no one present had knocked, not even
in joking spirit. But the bride
| groom's face blanched plainly, and I
was the only one who noticed it. At
the inquest it was learned that ser.
| wants Of the parents had heard three
knocks, precisely the same as We heard
at the supper table, and you heard last
night. The servant, who was with tire
old couple at the time, said that the
fathers face turned deadly pale. That
night he sent his wife and himself out
Of the world. What q coincidence.
you may say. Aye, it's mystery that
don't pretend to understand. I leave
such things to people cleverer than
can ever be- Well, I have told you the
| strange story Of this stateroom.
guess. I hear the mate calling fol
me-
.'With that last remark he left me
, to ponder over what I had heard.
/ knew that that apparition appeared be
, cause I saw it. 1t left an impression
, upon my mind that will never be eff
, faced. I don't attempt to explain it
, strong disbellever in the supernatural
that I am There exist phenomena
that battle all investigation, that defy
!, ! the brightest minds to offer a solution
that seem to be not part of, and We
E must be, it cannot apparently be other
} wise, part of the natural. We ar
: cropping in the dark. Perhaps, some
day we shall see the light and we shall
) be surprised at the simplicity of th'
5 solution. AL the workings of nature
/ ! are simple when we understand them
2 It is our ignorance that nystifes u.s.
/ I glanced at my watch. I still hat
: time to keep an appointment. So bid
ding my friend good night, left hin
! to the companionship Of his reminis
onnonc