Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1882-02-17

seemed content with matters as thew
stood, and for the present could do no
more.
| made 10 one my confdant as to NV
daily occupation; FIRST, because I knew
that should he regarded as a madmsn
upon ny mere statement of the facts.
and next, because | shrank from having
an auditor ut my mysterious confer-
ences. Will it be believed was in
love with the invisible girl-in love
with voice! Absurd. of coTrse, but
| an not the first man who las fallen
in love with wonan's voice. Besides,
l was confident thatit was only matter
of time before [ should see The girl in
person. S.
One day towards the end OF the s;no-
mer. We had been talking as usual, end
[ had said 81 My stay in Italy is nearly
over, Lanore."
All" WAS tho quick reply. lyon
will leave ne George"
No. Lenoie.' I answered, not if
you wish me 10 stay"
How can l help it, George, whether
you go or stay? have never seen you
i never shall see you. What am | to
you?'
"All the world, Lenore," answered
'~OGrs has heen u strange experience.
Without knowing each Other US people
ordinarily 90. We have yet been close
friends. lou are more to me than
friend. love you, Ignore"
There was quick. suppressed cry, co
other reply.
Be truthful, Lspore. Tell mo your
heart. Ii you love NE, trust to me to
discover y0nr whereabouts and cone 10
you. If you do not, say it, and l will
spare You the the pain OF me citing me,
and let us never speak again"
There was pause, then she tremu-
lously said:
" hsyo never seen you, hut my heart
tells ne to trust you. l krog You are
good and noble, and l am willing to
iNavo my fate in your hands. Yes,
George. love you"
Even as she said the words she uttered
L cry OF alarm. Then q gruff man s
voice spoke:
go to your room, Lenofe. AS to
this villain with whom you have been
holding these secret meetings, we shall
soon find him and punish him as be de,
serves. Search for the rascal, Antonio,
aud bring him TO me.
There was quick trampling of feet
and the sound of crushing shrubbery
as if tho men were breaking through
it. Taen another mans voice spoke:
I" He has disappeared, your Excel
lence."
Very well, we shall find him yet
He cannot escape NE. This is foe
piece of business. surely the daughter
of Count VILLAIN holding secret meet
ings with some common vagabond.
Lenore shall take the veil"
eyes," l cried 1.-The bridal veil,
count. I shall pay my respects in per-
son to-day"
Then leaving them to get over their
astonishment as best they might, l re-
turned TO the house in high spirits. The
name. Count Valiant, had given me the
clew to the whereabouts Of Lenore.
The dwelling of which 1 have spoken
as situated ACROSS the plain and oppo,
site the rock, was the residence of Count
Valiant. had met the old gentleman
in the city and formed speaking ac-
quaintance with him. AS neither OF us
hnd mentioned our private affairs, I had
no means of connecting his daughter
with my invisible girl.
That afternoon presented myself to
the count. and after amazing him with
my story, which few tests convinced
him Was true. formally proposed for
his daughters hand. AS my wealth
and social position were well-known
ne offered no objections and his daugh.
ter was sent for.
AS she entered the room, saw that
my idea Of her had been less than true.
had never seen so lovely a woman,
nor one who 80 perfectly embodied my
highest conception of grace and beauty.
Her dark ewes, still wet with tears, met
mine erquiringly.
Lenore," said l. I" have come as !
promised.
George" she cried. with radiant
smile, rs it you?' T.
care You disappointed p asked
"am what you expccted?'
lyon could not be MORE she en-
; swered naively, lyon are no less"
"Now that We meet as solid and ma
terial beings" l continued, are you
willing to ratify the contract we made
when We were only voices, LenOre
Your father gives US permission"
1t may be supposed that 1 received a
satisfactory answer, when the good
natured 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, series ol
tests revealed remarkable acoustic
property in the rock, by which persons
standing in certain positions with refer
ence to it, were able to hear each othe,
with ease, moro than q quarter of q
mile apart. It is very matter offsct
solution of tho mystery, but Lenort
and l are none the less grateful for the
) good offices of the rock II Selected.
A fashionable young lady accidental
: j. dropped one of her false eyebrows