always wear. I had the sense to keep still and tell Janet what to do, so
the poor child went back unwaked, and Grandmamma's spirit never walked
again for I took care of that."

"Why did you haunt the old lady?" asked Annon, as the laughter ceased.

"I don't know, unless it was that I wanted to ask leave to go home, and
was afraid to do it awake, so tried when asleep. I shall not tell any
story, as I was the heroine of this, but will give my turn to you, Mr.
Annon," said Blanche, with a soft glance, which was quite thrown away,
for the gentleman's eyes were fixed on Octavia, who sat on a low ottoman
at Mrs. Snowdon's feet in the full glow of the firelight.

"I've had very small experience in ghosts, and can only recall a little
fright I once had when a boy at college. I'd been out to a party, got
home tired, couldn't find my matches, and retired in the dark. Toward
morning I woke, and glancing up to see if the dim light was dawn or
moonshine I was horrified to see a coffin standing at the bed's foot. I
rubbed my eyes to be sure I was awake, and looked with all my might.
There it was, a long black coffin, and I saw the white plate in the
dusk, for the moon was setting and my curtain was not drawn. 'It's some
trick of the fellows,' I thought; 'I'll not betray myself, but keep
cool.' Easy to say but hard to do, for it suddenly flashed into my mind
that I might be in the wrong room. I glanced about, but there were the
familiar objects as usual, as far as the indistinct light allowed me to
see, and I made sure by feeling on the wall at the bed's head for my
watchcase. It was there, and mine beyond a doubt, being peculiar in
shape and fabric. Had I been to a college wine party I could have
accounted for the vision, but a quiet evening in a grave professor's
well-conducted family could produce no ill effects. 'It's an optical