Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1903-03-05
The MYSTERY OF
THE BRIDAL STATERCCM.
BY Edward Dobson.''

SAOA SAOAC AOSC AL LILY OCASA SAA0
reached toward the foot as if to touch
the form, but it suddenly disappeared
and left tie stateroom in utter dark
ness. I thought that would see it no
more and again attempted to sleep.
'I must have been doing for half
hour when l heard three slow, sharp
raps underneath me. I was immedi-
transparent light was reappearing at
the foot Of my berth. The same beau
tiful face confronted my gaze. A
calm look pervaded the features; in
fact, the calm seemed to be that of
death. Nothing more than the bust
form appeared, and it apparently rest
ed On the wooden end Of the berth.
agining all kinds Of plausible and i'm
possible explanations for it, the three
raps which I had previously heard
were repeated. Then the transparent
figure gradually disappeared, followed
by another three raps, the sound OF
| which always coming from underneath
me.
| terested in the nocturnal disturbances,
as had given up all hope of any
| sleep that night. The gale had in
creased in intensity, and the plunging
| of the ship gave me any but pleasant
sensations. got up, groped around
| for a match, and struck a light. I
examined everything in the room, tried
the door, which found to be securely
| locked, looked under the berth and
| found nothing, as only foot space in
| tervened between its bottom and the
floor; investigated all around the foot
Of the berth, and there everything was
as serene as when retired. I gave
up in despair Of finding any clue to the
mysterious occurrences, blew out the
light, and then once more tried to sleep.
The apparition, accompanied by the
three knocks, appeared several times,
and it was with feeling Of thankful
ness that welcomed the dawning of
another day, as I was then able to
secure several hours Of refreshing
sluInber before I got up
when I got on deck the gale was
pretty we'll spent, but heavy sea was
still running. The ships rudder had
been broken, however, which was the
extent Of the injury which the vessel
had sustained. However, some tenn.
porary arrangement was effected
which permitted the ship to proceed
slowly. After breakfast, as we were
near port, I went into my stateroom te
write few letters to my folks which
I wanted to post upon landing. While
writing the three knocks again sound
ed, and kept repeating for about five
minutes. An examination revealed
nothing, and I called the Captain, 6
} bluff, genial, stout old gentleman, int
the room, but the knocks, in order tt
be provoking, would not perform fol
him. [ told him my nights expert
ences, however, and quiet smile il
Illuminated his features when I hal
concluded. / then suspected that he
was not ignorant upon the matter
and, after a further talk, persuaded
him to let me into the secret of tn.
) stateroom.
Well, let me see: what was thu
| date of yesterdayy he said ref1eefively
Il informed him.
"Ah, that apparition was due t,
appear last night
"'Due?' I exclaimed. Does it fre
quently perform for the amusemen
of those who occupy this berth?
Only once year. You see, abou
ten years ago a young couple who hat
just married, sailed on this ship fo
l a wedding trip in the South. I wa.
then the Captain, and I interested my
I self i'll the newly-wcdded pair, as
!. love romance. You wouldn't believe
it, sir, to look at me. but romance i.
? the soul Of my existence.) The couple
: appeared to be ideal lovers, and they
' also came to be the life Of the shil
: while they were aboard.
} "'Well, Just as We were a days dis