The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1882-02-03
The INVISIBLE GIRL.

Having decided to finish the year in
Italy, l looked around me for a dwelling
TO be had on reasonable terms. I found
what 1 wanted IN the ancient city of
Lucca, one of the loveHest spots on the
peninsula. The house was quite new,
ana In every way desirable, while the
vent asked for 1t was absurdly low L
questioned the agent III regard to tins
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 a bow, "but 1 presume to an
American a ghost is no objection.
80 little, " Ireplied, laughing, that
am obliged TO you for the opportunity
of making the acquaintance OF this one"
Such superstitlons are common IN
Italy, and the agents story made very
little impression upon me.
During a tour of inspection around
the premises L came upon The rock IN
question. 1t consisted of two walls OF
granite, perhaps twenty feet In height,
meeting at an obhque angle, covered
over their greater extent with wild vines.
It struck me as an exceedingly beautl-
full nook, and appropriate for my hours
of outdoor lounging.
On the following morning, provided
with book and cigar, l went thlther,
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 ana sweet, and was singing one OF
the ballads of the country. L could dls-
tinguish the words as perfectly as II
spoken at arms length from me.
1 started up in amazement. had no
visitors, and my only servant was an old
man. Nevertheless, l made a thorough
exploration of the neighbOrhOod, and
satisfied myself that there was no one In
the grounds. The only public road was
| half mile distant. The nearest dwell
ing was directly opposite, across a lever
| plain-in sight, but far out OF ear-shot'
| In word could make nothing out OF II.
! l observed that when I left my orig
| inal position under the olive the voice
became instantly silent. 1t was only
| within the circumference of circle OF
about two yards in diameter that 1t was
audible at all.
| 1t 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 wa
out of this bare rock that the vote
issued.
L returned to my former station IN
downright bawilderment. The agents
story occurred to me, but even now 1
attached no weight to it. am prac-
teal man, and was firmly convinced that
there must be some rational explanation
If the mystery, if L could but discover
IL. The voice was certainly that of a
young girl. But where. was she? Was
the old fable of the wood-nymph truth
after all? Had discovereda dryad en-
Sosomed in the rock? I smiled scorn-
fully even as these fancies ran through
my head.
For more than half an hour the sing
ing continued. Then it ceased. and
though L waited patiently fol its re.
newal, heard no more of it that Gsy
When / returned to the house made no
mention of the matter, resolving to keen
it to myself until 1 had solved the
mystery.
The next morning at an early hour I
returned to the spot. After d tedioua
interval the singing began again. IA
went softly and dreamily through ons
verse of a song, then ceased. Presently
I heard deep sigh and then In a slow
thoughtful tone the voice said
"Oh, how lonesome it is Am I In
pass my whole life in this most drearv
placer"
There was no answer. Evidently the
person was merely soliloquizing. Could
she hear me if l spoke, as 1 heard her +;
supposing her to be living being a;
all. 1 determined to hazard the experi.
ment.
"Who is it that is speakingY" ]
asked.
For some moments there was no re-
ply, then in low, frightened whispe,
the voice said: