The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1882-02-22

| pass my whole life In this most dreary
placei"
There was no answer. Evidently the
person was merely soliloquizing. Gould
she hear me il spoke, us heard her 2
supposing her to be living being at
all. determined to hazard the expert.
ment.
"Who is it that is speakingP" 1
asked.
For some moments there was no re-
ply, then in a low, frightened whisper
the voice said:
"What was it2 heard q voice."
"Yes," I answered, "you heard
mine. spoke to you"
"Who are you?" asked the voice,
tremulously. "Are you spirit2"
~ am a living man," l returned.
"Can you not see me2"
NO" answered the voice, "I can
only hear you. Oh, where are you?
Pray do not frighten me. Come out of
your place Of concealment and let me see
you"
"mdeed, don't wish to alarm you,"
replied. 81 am not hidden. 1 am
standing directly in front Of the spot
whence your voice seems to come"
"You are invisible" was the trem-
bling answer. "Your voice comes to me
out of the air. Holy Virgin you must
be spirit. What have l done to de-
serve this ?"
Have no fear of me, entreat you,"
l said earnestly. at is as much of
mystery to me as it is to you. l hear
you speak but you are likewise invisible.
care you real living being2" asked
the voice doubtfully. "Then why do l
not see you? Come to me. I will sit
here. Twill not fly"
| "Tell me where ! am to come" said.
Here In my garden, in the arbor.'
"There is no arbor here" l returned,
"only solid rock out Of which you
seem to be speaking"
"Saints protect me-" answered the
voice. at is too awful. l dare no.
stay here longer. Spirit or man, fare.
well."
" But you will come again." plead
ed. "Let me hear you speak once
more. Will you not be here at the same
hour?"
81 dare not-but yet your voice
sounds as if you would do me no harm.
Yes, will come"
| Then there was utter silence, the mys-
terious speaker had gone. returned
home in state of stupid wonder, ques-
tioning myself if | had lost my senses,
and if tho whole occurrence was not
delusion. i was faithful to my appoint
ment with the voice on the following
morning, however. had waited but a
few moments, when the soft, trembling
accents broke the silence, saying:
~ am here"
"And /, too," l answered; 81 am
grateful to you for coming"
81 have not slept the whole night,
said the voice. 81 was so terrified. Am
l doing wrong to Gomez"
care you still afraid of me?'
"NOt exactly, but it is so strange"
"Will you tell me your naI1e?"
81 don't know-Lenore. What is
yours?"
George" answered, initiating her
example, and giving my first name only.
"Shall we be friends, Lenore p
ooh, yes" answered the voice with q
silvery peal OF laughter. Evidently its
owner was getting over her fears.
Don't be offended, George. 1t is so
strange-two people who cannot see
each other and perhaps never will,
making friends"
81 will solve the mystery yet, Le-
nore," answered, "and find out wha,
you are. Would you be glad to see me
IN my proper person?'
"Yes," was the reply, 81 should like
to see you."
"And would give great deal to see
you, Leuore. You must be very beau
tiful if your face is like your voice"
"Oh, hushl" was the agitated answer
at is not right to speak thus"
"Why not? Do you know, Lenore
that if this goes on shall be falling
in love with you, though 1 never see
you."
"You are very audacious," was the
reply. "If you were really here, before
me, should punish you for it. As it is
/ am going now"
"But you will come again tomorrow
LenoreP"
"If you will promise to be more dis
Greet, George, yes"
As may be imagined, ! did not fail t.
keep my engagement with my invisible
friend. For many consecutive days thes
strange meetings continued, As absur
| as it may seem, the voice was beginnin
1 to make powerful impression upon m,
felt in its soft tones the manifestation
|
Il True, had made no progress towar
!. unraveling the mystery. Nevertheless
: was confident that tn ough some inc!
Z plicable dispensation of Providence
70 had been permitted to hold commune
y with real, living lovely woman, fro
II an unknown distance. She had not y
Is told me more than her first name, al
did not press her for more as ye
le Her only answer to my question rs
10 where she was was In the garden" 81
al did not seem capable OF grasping Il
as fact that / was not invisibly near ne
&c She seemed content with matters as th'
stood, and for the present could do
III more.
rs made no one my confdant as to n
I daily occupation; first, because kne
.c- that I should be regarded as madm
at upon my mere statement Of the fac'
on and next, because shrank from havir
er an auditor at my mysterious conference
Will it be believedp I was in love WI
as the invisible girl-in love with voit
tn Absurd, of course, but I am not the fiji
M. man who has fallen in love with wo
m. ans voice. Besides, I was confde
oh that it was only matter Of time befc
o. 1 should see the girl in person.
10. One day toward the end Of SUNNI
"a we had been talking as usual, and b
re. said:
~ "My stay in Italy is nearly ov
ay. Lenore."
M, no "Ah." was the quick reply, "you v
Yep leave me, George"
the "No, Lenore," I answered, "not
you wish meto stay" :.
II Chow can help it, George, whetl
ous you 90 or stsy2 Ihave never seen J