lass, and the stuff on the floor. But there was nobody
there. So I put out the match, and came out and shut the door and
turned the key. Now, what I am telling you is the truth. When I
had turned the key, I heard footsteps walking away from the door
inside the room. Then I felt queer for a minute, and when I went
downstairs I looked behind me, as the men at the wheel used to
look behind them on board the _Helen B._

Jack was already outside on the steps, smoking. I have an idea
that he didn't like to stay inside alone.

"Well?" he asked, trying to seem careless.

"I didn't find anybody," I answered, "but I heard somebody moving
about." "I told you it was the wind," said Jack, contemptuously.
"I ought to know, for I live here, and I hear it often."

There was nothing to be said to that, so we began to walk down
toward the beach. Jack said there wasn't any hurry, as it would
take Miss Mamie some time to dress for the wedding. So we
strolled along, and the sun was setting through the fog, and the
tide was coming in. I knew the moon was full, and that when she
rose the fog would roll away from the land, as it does sometimes.
I felt that Jack didn't like my having heard that noise, so I
talked of other things, and asked him about his prospects, and
before long we were chatting as pleasantly as possible.

I haven't been at many weddings in my life, and I don't suppose
you have, but that one seemed to me to be all right until it was
pretty near over; and then, I don't know whether it was part of
the ceremony or not, but Jack put out his hand and took Mamie's
and held it a minute, and looked at her, while the parson was
still speaking.

Mamie turned as white as a sheet and screamed. It wasn't a loud
scream, but just a sort of stifled little shriek, as if she were
half frightened to death; and the parson stopped, and asked her
what was the matter, and the family gathered round.

"Your hand's like ice," said Mamie to Jack, "and it's all wet!"

She kept looking at it, as she got hold of herself again.

"It don't feel cold to me," said Jack, and he held the back of
his hand against his cheek. "Try it again."

Mamie held out hers, and touched the back of his hand, timidly at
first, and then took hold of it.

"Why, that's funny," she said.

"She's been as nervous as a witch all day," said Mrs. Brewster,
severely.

"It is natural," said the parson, "that young Mrs. Benton should
experience a little agitation at such