Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1883-01-15
An Invisible Girl.

Lucca, one of the loveliest spots on
| the peninsula. The house was new
and in every respect desirable, while
the rent was absurdly low. | ques-
toned the agent in regard to this
circumstance. Having my money
safe he could afford to be truthful.
''There is nothing against the
house ITSELF" he said, "but the
grounds have the reputation of be-
ing haunted. Strange sounds are
said to be heard near the ledge of
rocks in the park yonder. We Ital-
ians are superstitious, signor," he
added with bow, ssbutI presume to
ran American a ghost is no objec-
tion..''
$50 little,'' | replied, laughing,
'that l am obliged to you for the OPP
portunity 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 I came upon the rock in
question. 1t consisted of two walls
of granite, perhaps twenty feet in
height, meeting at an oblique angle,
covered their greater extent with
wild vines. 1t struck me as an ex-
ceedingly beautiful nook, and appro-
pirate for my hours of outdoor
lounging.
On the following morning, provid-
ed with a book and cigar, / went
thither, and disposed myself COM
fortably in the shade of an olive. [
had become absorbed in the volume,
when I was startled by the sound of
a voice near me. 1t was apparently
that of a woman, wonderfully soft
and sweet, and was singing one of
the ballads of the country. | could
distinguish the words as perfectly as
if spoken at arms length from me.
l started up in amazement. | had
no visitors, and my only servant was
an old man. Nevertheless, l made
thorough exploration of the neigh
borhood, and satisfied myself that
there was no one in the grounds.
The only public road was half a mile
| distant. The nearest dwelling was
directly opposite, across level plain
in sight, but far out of earshot.
In a word, / could make nothing of it.
| observed that when / left my
original position under the olive the
voice became instantly silent. IL
was only within the circumference of
a circle of about two yards in dame
ter that it 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
that the voice issued.
l returned to my former station in
downright bewilderment. The agents
story occurred to me, but even now
l attached no weight to it. l am a
practical man, and was firmly con-
vinced that there must be some ra-
tional explanation of the mystery, if
/ could but discover it. The voice
was certainly that of a young girl.
But where was she? Was the old
fable of the wood nymph truth aft
er all? Had / discovered dryad
embosomed in the rock? / smiled
scornfully, even as the fancies ran
through my head.
For more than half an hour the
singing continued. Then it ceased,
and though / waited patiently for its
renewal, / heard no more of it that
day. When l returned to the house
| made no mention of the matter
resolving to keep it to myself until
: had solved the mystery.
The next morning, at an early
hour, [ returned to the spot. Aftel
tedious interval the singing begar
r again. 1t went softly and dreamily
E through one verse of song, thel
/ ceased. Presently l heard a deel
sigh, and then in slow, thoughtful
tone, the voice said:
"Oh, how lonesome it is! Am
+ to pass my whole life alone in thi
e dreary placer"
y There was no answer; evidentl,
: the person was merely soliloquizing
!, Could she hear me if l spoke, as
p heard her, supposing her to be liv
= ing being at all? / determined t
l. hazard the experiment.
It "Who is that speaking?' | asked
e For some moments there was n
reply; then, in low, frightene
It whisper, the voice SAID:
II "What was it? | heard voice.
"Yes," | answered. "You hear
t. mine. l spoke to YOU
a "Who are you?" asked the voice
L tremulously; "are you a spirit?"
s. II am a living man," | returned
- !, Can you not see me?'
N NO" answered the voice. 8
ly can only hear you. Oh, where al
$. you? Pray do not frighten M
Up Come out of your concealment an
= let me see you.'
~ 'sIndeed, / don't wish to alar
you,' 1 replied. Il am not hiddel
I'm standing directly in front of Il
Ms,v M spot whence your voice seems
eg- come"
Ae s.Ypu are invisible was the trel
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