Rensselaer Republican, Volume 14, Number 24, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 March 1882 — THE INVISIBLE GIRL. [ARTICLE]

THE INVISIBLE GIRL.

Having decided to finish the year in Italy, 1 looked around me for a dwelling, to lie had upon reasonable terms. I louud what I wanted in the outskirts of the ancient, city of Lucca, one of the loveliest spots, on the peninsula The house was quite new, and in every way desirable, while the rent asked for it was absurdly low. I questioned the agent in regard to this circumstance Having my money safe, he could afford to be truthful. “There is nothing against the house itself, but the grounds have the reputation of being haunted. Strange sounds are said to be heard near the ledge of rock in the park yonder. We Italians are superstitious, signor,” he added, with a bow, “but I presume to an American a ghost is no objection.” “So little,” I replied, laughing, “that I am obliged to you for the opportunity of making the acquaintance of this one.” Such superstitions are common in Italy, and the agent's story made very little impression upon me. During a tour of inspection around the premises, I came upon the rock in question. It consisted of two wails of granite, perhaps twenty feet in height, meeting at an ob’ique angle, covered aver their greater extent with wild vines. It struck me as au exceedingly beautiful nook, and appropriate for my hours or outdoor lounging. On the following morning, provided with a book and a cigar, I wejt thither and disposed myself very comfortably in the shade of an olive. I had become absorbed in the volume, when I was startled oy the sound of a voice near me. It was’ evidently that of a woman, soft and sweet, singing one of the ballads of the country. I could distinguish the words as perfectly as if spoken at arms length from me. I started up in amazement. 1 had no visitors, and my only servant was an old man. . .Nevertheless, I made a thorough exploration of the neighborhood, and satisfied myself that there was no one in the grounds. The oniy public road was half a mile distant. Tne nearest dwelling was directly opposite, across a{levei plain—in sight, but tar out of ear shot. In a word, I could make nothing of it. I observed that when I left my original position under the olive, the voice became instantly sjlent. It was only within the circumference of a circle of about two yards in diameter that it was audible at ail. It appeared to proceed from the angle between tne two wails ot rock. Tne minutest examination failed to reveal anything but the bare rock. Yet it was out of this bare rock that the voice issued. I returned to my former station in downright bewilderment. 'The agent’s story occurred to me, but even uow I attached no weight to it. lam a practical man, and was firmly convinced that there must be some rational explanation of the mystery, if I could but discover it. The voice was centaiuly that of a young girl. But where w r as she? Was the pld fable of the wood nymph a truth after all? Had I discovered a dryad embosomed in the rock? I smiled scornfully even as these fancies ran through my head. For more than half au hour the singing continued. Theu it ceased, aud, though I waited patiently for its renewal, I heard no more of it that day. When I returned to the house I made no mention of the matter, resolving to keep it to myself until I had solved the mystery. The next morning at an early hour I returned to the spot. After a tedious interval the singing began again. It w ? ent softly and dreamily through one verse of song, then ceased. Presently I heard a deep sigh, aud then in a slow throughtful tone, the voice said: ~ ' “Oh, how lonesome it is! Am I to pass my whole life in this dreary place?” T There was no answer- Evidently the person was only soliloquizing. Could she hear me if I spoke, as I heard her? supposiug her to be a living being at all. I determined to hazard the experiment. “Who is it that is speaking?” I asked. i'or some minutes there was no reply; theu in a low, frightened whisper, the voice said: “What was it? I heard a voice!” “Yes,” I answered; “you heard mine. I spoke to you,”

“Who are you?” asked the voice, tremulously; “are you spirit?” “I am a living man,” I returned. “Can you not see me?” ( ‘No.” answered the voicefT can only hear you. Oh, where are you? Pray do not frighten me. Come out of your concealment and let me see you.” * “Indeed. I don’t wish to alarjnyou,” I replied. “I am not hidden. I am standing directly in front of the spot whence your voice seems to come.” “You are invisible,” was the trembling anewer. “Your voice comes to me out of the air. Holy Virgin! yop must be a spirit. What’have I done to deserve this?” i “Have no fear of me, I entreat you,” I said earnestly. “It is as much of a mystery to me as it is to you. I hear you spe*ak, but you are otherwise invisible.” “Are you a real living beiug?” asked the voice doubtfully, “Then why do I not see you? Come to me. I wiil sit here. I will not fly.” “Tell me where lam to come,” I said. “Here in my garden in the arbor.” “There is no arbor here,” I retuned, “only a solid rock, out ot which you setm to be -peaking.” “Hainesprotect me,” answered the voice. It is too awful. I dare not stay here longer. Spirit or man, farewell.” “But you will come again,” I pleaded. “Let me hear you speak once more. Wili you not come here at the same hour?” I dare not—but yet your voice souuds-as if you woulddo me no harm. Yes, I will come.” Theu there was utter silence—the myslerious speaker had gone. I returned home in a state of stupid winder, questioning myself if I had lost my senses, and if the whole occurence was not a delusion. I was faithful co my appointment with the voice on the following morning, however. I had waited but a few minutes, when the soft, trembliug acceuts broke the silence saying: “I am here.” “And I too,” I answered; “I am grateful to you f r coming.’ “I have not slept the whole night,” said the voice, “I was so terrified. Am i doing wrong to coma?” “Are you still afraid of me?” “Not exactly, but it is so strange.” “Will you tell me your uame?” “I dou’t know—Leuore. What is yours?” “George.” I answered imitating hes example and giving my first name only. “Shall we not be friends, Lenore?” “Oh, yes”’ answered the voice with a silvery peal of laughter. Evidently its owner was getting over her fears. “Don't be clteuded, George. It is so strange—two people who cannot see each other and perhaps never will, making friends.” “I will solve the mystery yet, Lenore,” I auswered, “aud find out what you are. Would you be giad to see mein my proper person?” “Yes,’’ she replied, “I should like to see you.” \ “And I would give a great deal to see you, Lon ore. You must be very beautiful ii your face is like your voice ” “Oh, hush!” was the agitated answer. “It is not right to speak thus.” “Why not? Do you know, Lenore, that if this goes on, I shall end by fall-* ing in love with you, though I neyer see you.” “You are very audacious,” was the j reply. “If you were realiy nere, before ! me. I should punish you for it. As it is, I am going now.” “But you will come again to-mor-row. Lenore?”

“if you promise to be more discreet, j George, yes.” - As may be imagined, I did not fail to keep my engagement with my invisible friend. For many consecutive days these strange meetings continued. As absurd as it may seem, the voice was beginning to make a powerful impression upon me. I felt ih its soft tones the manifestation of a sweet, refined woman’s soui. True, I bail made no progress towards unraveling the mystery. Nevertheless. I was confident that through some inexplicable dispensation of Providence I had oteu permitted to hold cemmunion with a real, living, lovely woman, from au unknown distance. She bad not yet told me more than her first name, and I did not press her for more as yen Iler only answer tomy question as to where she was, was, ‘ln the garden.” She did not seem eaoatfie of grasping the fact that I was not iuvisioly near her. She seemed content with matters as they stood, and for the present I could do no more, I made no one my confident as to my daily occupation; first, because I knew that I should be regarded as a madman upon my mere statement of tbe tacts, and, next, because I shrank from having au auditor at my mysterious ccmfereuegs. Will it be believed? I was in 1m with the invisible girl—in love with a voice! Absurd, of course, but I am apt the first man who has fallen iu love with a woman's voice. Besides, I was confident that it was only a matter us time before I should see'the girl in person. G»e day, towards the end of Bummer, we had been talkiug.as usual, aud I had said: “My stay in Italy is nearly over, Lenore.” “Ah,.” was the quick repy, “you will leave me, George?” “No, L-nore,” I answered, “not if you wish me to stay.” “How can I help it, George, whether you go or stay? I have never: seeu you; I never shall see you. What am Ito you?” / “Ail the world, Leuore,” I answered. “Ours has been a strange experience. Without knowing each other as people ordtuarialy do, we have yet been close friends. You are more to me than a friend. I love you, Lenore.” There was a quick, suppressed cry, no other reply. I “Be truthful, Leuorq. Tell me your

heart. If you love me, trust me to discovert your whereabouts and come to you. if you do not, say it and I will spare you the pain of meeting me, and let us never speak again.” There was a pause; then she tremulously said: “I have never s?en you, but my heart tells me to trust you. I know you are good and noble, and I am willing to leave my fate in your hands. Yes, George, I love you.” Even as she said the words she uttered a cry of alarm. Then a gruff man’s voice spoke: “Go to your room, Leonore. As to this villain with whom you have been holding these secret meetings, we shall soon find him and punish him, as he deserves. Search for the rascal, Antonio, and bring him to me.” There was a quick trampling of feet and crushing snrubbery, as if the men were breaking through it. Then another man’s voice spoke: “He has disappeared, your excellence.” “Yery vrell, we shall find him yet. He cannot escape me. This is a fine piece of business, surely—the daughter of Count Villani holding secret meetings with some common vagabond. Lenore shall take the veil.” •'Yes,” I cried, the bridal vefl.Count. I shall pay my respects in person today.” Then leaving them to get over their astonishment as best they might, I returned to tiie house iu high spirits. The name, Count Villani, had given me the clew to the whereabouts of Lenore. The dwelling of which I have spoken as situated across the plain,and opposite the rock, was the residence of Count Villani. I had met the old gentleman in the city, and formed a speaking acquaintance with him. As neither of us bad mentioned our private affairs, I had no means of connecting his daughter with my invisible girl. That afternoon I presented myself to the Count, and after amazing him with my story, which a few tests convinced him was true, formally proposed for his daughter’s hand. As my wealth and social position were well known, he offered no objections, and his daughter was sent for. As she entered the -room, I saw that my idea of her had been less tnan true I had never seen so lovely a woman, nor one who so perfectly embodied my highest conception of grace and beauty. Her dark eyes, still wet with tears, met mine inquiringly. “Lenore,” said 1, “I have come as I promised.” “George,” she cried, with a radiant smile, “is it you?” “Are you disappointed?” I asked, “am I what you expected?” “You could not be more,” she answered naively, “you are no less.” “Now that we meet as solid an material beings,” I continued, “are you willing to ratify ihe contract we made when we were only voice. Lenore? Your father gives us permission.” It may be supposes that I received a satisfactory’ answer, when the good* matured count found it discreet to turn away his eyes during my reception of it. As to the strange circumstance which was the means of uniting us, a series of tests revealed * remarkable acoustic property in the rocki by which persons standing in certain positions ; with reference to it, were able to bear , eacn other with ease, mote thana; quarter of a mile apart. It is a matter- j of-fact solution of the mystery, but! Lenore and I are none the the less ! grateful for the good offices of the ' rock.