Wandering Ghosts

ay, for the weather was warm and sultry, and the motion of the steamer produced a refreshing breeze. Everybody knows what the first day a

out the weather, until the ship is fairly off Fire Island. The tables are crowded at first, and then suddenly thinned. Pale-faced people spring from their seats and precipitate themsel

ful moment of the day on board an ocean steamer is when we have taken our last turn on deck, have smoked our last cigar, and having succeeded in tiring ourselves, feel at liberty to turn in with a clear conscience. On that first night of the voyage I felt particularly lazy, and went to bed in 105 rather earlier than I usually do. As I turn

Café Anglais, who always seems to be alone and who drinks champagne; you might meet him on a racecourse, but he would never appear to be doing anything there either. A little over-dressed-a little odd. There are three or four of his kind on every ocean steamer. I made up my mind that I did not care to make his acquaintance, and I went to sleep saying to myself that

opened almost immediately, and then I heard his footsteps as he ran at full speed down the passage, leaving the door open behind him. The ship was rolling a little, and I expected to hear him stumble or fall, but he ran as though he were r

self up as well as I could and dozed off again, framing complaints to be made the next day, and selecting the most powerful epithets in the language. I could hear my room-mate turn over in the upper berth. He had

audibly. Then I got up and shut it. As I turned back I glanced at the upper berth. The curtains were drawn close together; my companion had probably felt cold as well as I. It struck me that I had slept enough. The state-room was uncomfortable, though, strange to say, I could not smell the dampness which had annoyed me in the night. My room-mate was still asleep-excellent opportunity for avoiding him, so I dressed at once

remarked, by way

interest, "it's a fine morning and it's not a fi

s not so very

all fuggly weather,

n I looked about, I found that the porthole was wide open. I had no

he. "Whereabo

ndred a

octor started visibl

he matter?

verybody has complained of that st

d. "It has certainly not been

he doctor. "I believe there is something-well,

replied. "I can stand any amount of damp. If

igar, which he took and

rked. "However, I dare say you will g

bolts out in the middle of the

riously at me. Then he lit

back?" he ask

him moving. Then I felt cold and went to sleep

t care a rap for her reputation. I tell you what I will do. I have a good-size

agine why he should take such a sudden interest in my welfar

believe even now the cabin could be aired, or cleaned

ant to prejudice you, and I don't want to frighten you, but if you will take my advice you will move in here.

ious! Why?

e people who have slept there actually h

who slept in that particular state-room went overboard. He did not say much, but looked as grave as ever, and hinted that, before we got across, I should probably reconsider his proposal. In the course of time we went to breakfast, at which only an inconsiderable number of passenger

the captain wanted to see me, and then scuttled away down the passage as if very anxious

"I want to ask a

I would do anyth

s known to have turned in early last night. Did

nfirmation of the fears the doctor had exp

say he has gone o

as," answere

t extraordinary

" he

plained, without mentioning the doctor, that I had heard the story concerning 105. He seeme

is really lost. The steward, who is a superstitious fellow, perhaps, and expected something to go wrong, went to look for him this morning, and found his berth empty, but his clothes lying about, just as he had left them. The steward was the only man on board who knew him by sight, and he has been searching everywhere for him. He has disap

d rather not move. If the steward will take out that unfortunate man's things, I would as lief stay where I am

. I do not know whether I acted foolishly, but if I had taken his advice I should have had nothing more to tell. There would have remai

about the state-room, I said. It was rather damp. The porthole had been left open last night. My room-mate might have been ill when he came on board, and he might have become delirious after he went to bed. He might even now

ease," he replied, rather petulantly; "but I wish you would

rance of my companion. The latter had had no acquaintances on board, and was not missed in the course of the d

fore long," he sa