Rensselaer Republican, Volume 14, Number 28, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 March 1882 — THE INVISIBLE GIRL. [ARTICLE]

THE INVISIBLE GIRL.

Having'decided to finish the year in Italy, I looked around me for a dwelling, to be had upon reasonable terms. I found what I wanted in the outskirts of the ancient oity of Lucca, one of the lovliest 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 itselfibut 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 walls of granite, perhaps twenty feet in height, meeting at an oblique angle, covered over their.gi eater extent with wild vinep. It struck me as an exceedingly beautiful nook, and appro* priate for my hours of outdoor lounging. ✓ On the following morning, provided witl* a book and a cigar, I went thither, and disposed myself comfortably in the shade of an olive. I had become absorbed in the volume, when I was startled by the sound of a voice near me. It was evidently that of a woman wonderfully soft and sweet, singing one of the ballads of *he country. I could distinguish the words as perfectly as if spoken at arm’s length from Me. I started up in amazement. I had no visitors and ray only servant was an old man. Nevertheless I made a thorough exploration of the neighborhood. and satisfied myself that there was no one on the grounds. The only public road was half a mile distant. The nearest dwelling was directly opposite, across a level plain —in sight, out far 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 silent. It was only within a circumference of a circle of* about two yards in diameter that it was audible at all.

It appeared to proceed from the angle between the two walls of rock. The minutest examination failed to reveal anything but the bare rock. Yet it was out of this bare roch: that the voice issued. I returned to my former station in downright bewilderment. The agent’s story occurred to me, but even now I attached no weight to it. i am a practical man, and was firmly convinced that there mnst be some rational explanation of the mystery, if I could discover it. The voice was certainly that of a young girl. But where was she? Was the old 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 an hourAhe continued. Then it ceased, and, though I waited patiently for its renewal, I heard no more of it that day. When I returned to the hou e I made no mention of the matter, revolving to keep it to myself until I had solved the mystery. The next morning at an early hour 1 returned to the spot. After a tedious interval the singing began again. It went softily and dreamily through one verse of song, then ceased. Presently I heard a deep sigh, and then in a slow, thoughtful tone the voice said: “Oh, how lonesome it is! Am Ito pass my whole life in this dreary place?” There was no answer. Evidently the person was only soliloqu'zing. Could she hear me if I spoke, as I heard her? supposing her to be a liviag being at all. I determinrd to hazard the experiment. ‘•Who is it that is'speaking ?” I asked. For some minutes there was no reply; then 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 yon a spirit?” “1 am a living man,” 1 returned. “Can you not see me?” “No,” answered the voice, “1 can only hear you. Oh, where are you* Pray do not frighten me. Come out of your concealment and let me see you.” “Indeed, 1 don’t wish to alarm you,” 1 replied, “1 am not hidden. 1 am standing directly in front of the spot whence your voice seems to come.” “You are invisible,was the trembling answer. “Your voice comes to me out of the air. Holy Virgin! you must be a spirit. What have I done to deserve this?” “Have no fear of me T entreat you, I said earnestly. “It is as much of a mystery to me as it is to you. I hear you speak?' but you are otherwise invisible.” “Are you a real living being?” asked the voice’ doubtfully, “Then why do I not see you ? Come to me. I will sit here. 1 will not fly.” **Tell me where 1 am to come, “1 said. * “Here in my garden in the arbor.“ “There is no arbor here,”l returned, -only a solid eock, out of which you seem to be speaking.*, “Saints protect me ” answered the ■voice. “It is to awful. 1 dare not stay here longer spirit or man farwell. •'but you will come again, “1 pleaded.

“Let me hear you speak once more. Will you be here at the same hour?” “1 dare not—but vet your voice sounds as if it would do me no harm. Yes, 1 will come.” Then there was utter silence —the mysterious speaker had gone. I returned home 111 a state of stupid wonder, questioning myself if I had lost my senses, and if the whole occurrence was not delusion. I was faithful to my appointment with the voice on the following morning, however. I had waited but a few moments, when the soft, trembling accents broke the silence, saying: “I am here.” “And I too,” I answered; “I am grateful to you for coming.” “ITiave not slept the whole night,” said the voice, “I was so terrified. Am I doing wrong to come?” “Are you still afraid of me?” “Not exactly, but it is so strange.” “Will you tell me your name?” “I don’t know—Lenore. What isyours?” “George,” I answered, imitating her example and giving my first name only. “Shall we not be friends, Lonore?” “Ob, yes,” answered the voice with a silvery peal of laughter. Evidently its owner was getting over her fears. “Don’t be offended, George. It is so Ftrange—two people who cannot see each other and perhaps never will, making friends.” “I will solve the mystery yet, Lenore,” I answered, “and find out what you are. Would you be glad to see me in m yproper person?” “Yes, ’she replied, “I should like to see you.” “And I would give a great deal to see you, Lenore. You must be yery beautiful if your face is like your voice. “O, hush!” was the 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 falling in love with you, though I never see you.” “You are very audacious,” was the reply. “If you were really here, before me, I should punish you for it. Ar it is, I am going now.” “But you will come again to-mor-row, Le'nore?” “If you will promise to be more discreet, George, yes.” As maybe 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 in its solt tones tne manifestation.of a sweet, refined woman’s soul. True, I had made no progress toward unraveling the mystery Nevertheless, I was confident that through some inexplicable dispensation of Providence I had been permitted to hold communion with a real, living, lovely woman, from an unknown distance. She had not yet told me more than her first name, and I did not press her for more as yet. Her only answei to my question as to where she was, “In the garden.” She did not seem capable of grasping the fact that I was not invisibly near her. She seemek content with matters as theytstood, and for the present I could do no more. I made no one my confident as to my daily occupation; first, because I knew I should be regarded as a madman upon my mere statement of the facts, and, next because I shrank from having an auditor at my mysterious conferences. Will it be"believed? I was in love with the invisible girl—iu love with a voice. Absurd, of course, but I am not the first man who has fallen in love with a woman’s voice. Besides I was confident that it was only a matter of time before I should see the girl in person. One day, towards the end of summer, we had been talking as usual, and I had said: "My stay in Italy is nearly ever, Lenore.” “Ah,” was the quick reply, “you will leave me, George?” “Noj Lenore,” 1 answered, “not if you wish me to stay.’ “How can 1 belp*it, George, whether you go or stay ? 1 have never seen ycu; 1 never shall see you. What am 1 to you?”

“All the world, Lenore,” 1 answered. “Ours Has been a strange experience. Without knowing each other as people ordinarily do, we have yet been close friends. You are more to me than a friend. 1 love you, Lenore.” There was a quick suppressed erv, no other reply. “Be truthful, Lenore. Tell me your heart. If you love me, trust to me to discover 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 tremuously said: “I have never seen you, but my heart tells me to trust you. I know yeu 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, Lenore. 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 trample of feet and crushing shrubbery, as if the men were breaking through it.# Then another man’s voice spoke: “He has disappeared, your excellence.” “Very well, we shall And him vet. He cannot escape me. This is a fine piece of business, surely—the daughter of Count Villani holding secret meeting with some vagabond. Lenore shall take the veil.” “Yes,” I cried, “the bridal veil,

Count. I shall pay my resueets in person to-day.” Then, leaying them to get over their astonishment as best they might, I returned to the house in high spirits. The name, Count Villani, had given me the clew to the whereabouts o 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 had 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 mv 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 than true. I had never seen so lovely a woman, nor one so perfectly embodied my highest conception of grace and beauty. Her dark eyes, still wet with tears, met mine inquiringly. “Lenore,” said I,j“I have come as I promised.” “George,” she cried, with a radiant smile, “is it you?” “Are you disappointe 1?” 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 and material beings, I continued, “are you willing to ratify tbe contract we made when we were only voice, Lenore? Your father gives us permission.”

It maybe supposed that I received a satisfactory answer, when the good natured count is discreet to turn away his eyes during my reception of it. A s to the strange circumstance which was the means of uniting us, a series of tests revealed a remarkable accoustic prop-rty in the rock, by which persons standing in certain positions with reference to it, able to hear each other with ease,mors than a quarter of a mile apart. It ie a matter of fact solution or the mystery, but Lenore and I are none the less grateful for the good offices of the rock."