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

dav1ng decided TO hnlsh the year IN
Italy, looked around me for a dwelling
to be had on reasonable terms. 1 found
what I wanted in the ancient city of
Lucca, one of the loveliest spots on the
peninsula. The house waa 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 repu-
tation of being haunted. Strange sounds
are said to be heard near that ledge Of
rock in the park yonder. We Italians
are superstitious, signor," he added,
with q bow, "but l presume to an
American ghost is no objection"
$50 little" Ireplied, laughing, "that
am obliged to you for the opportunity
of making the acquaintance OF this one."
Such superstitions are common in
Italy, and the agents story made very
little impression upon me.
During tour Of inspection around
the premises l came upon the rock in
question. II consisted Of two walls OF
granite, perhaps twenty feet in height,
meeting at an oblique angle, covered
over their greater extent with wild vines.
1t struck me as an exceedingly beauti-
full nook, and appropriate for my hours
OF outdoor lounging.
On the following morning, provided
with book and cigar, l went thither,
and disposed myself comfortably in the
shade of an olive. had become alb
sorbed in the volume, when ] was startled
by the sound OF voice near me. 1t was
evidently that Of woman, wonderfully
soft and sweet, and was singing one OF
the ballads of the country. l could dis
tinguish the words rs perfectly rs if
spoken at arms length from me.
I started up in amazement. had 40
visitors, and my only servant was an old
man. Nevertheless, made a thorough
exploration Of the neighborhood, and
satisfied myself that there was no one in
the grounds. The only public road was
half.a mile distant. The nearest dwell.
ing was directly opposite, across level
plain--in sight, but far out OF ear-shot
In word could make nothing out of it
| I observed that when left my orig
inal position under the olive the voic
became instantly silent. 1t was onl,,
within the circumference Of circle
about two yards in diameter that it wa
audible at all.
It appeared to proceed from the angl
between the two walls OF rock. In
/ minutest examination failed to revef
anything but the bare rock. Yet 1t wa
out of this bare rock that the voic
issued.
I returned to my former station
downright bewilderment. The agent
story occurred to me, but even now
attached no weight to it. l am pra
tical man, and was firmly convinced tn
there must be some rational explanatie
of the mystery, if I could but discov'
it. The voice was certainly that OF
| Young girl. But where was she2 WI
the old fable Of the wood-nymph tru
after allp Had I discovereda dryad 81
bosomed in the rock2 I smiled scor
fully even as these fancies ran throul
my head.
For more than half an hour the sin
a ing continued. Then it ceased, an
T. though waited patiently for its
/, newal, l heard no more Of it that ds
Il When returned to the house made
y mention Of the matter, resolving to ke
70 it to myself until / had solved I
J. mystery.
y The next morning at an early hou
y returned to the spot. After tedie
N interval the singing began again.
y went softly and dreamily through
verse Of . song. then ceased. Pressu