The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1886-04-02
THE INVISIBLE GIRL,

having oecloed TO nnlsll the year IN
Italy, looked about me for a dwell.
ing to be had upon reasonable terms.
found what I wanted in the out.
skirts OF the ancient city Of Lucca,
one of the loveliest spots on the pen.
insula. The house was quite new and
in every way desirable, while the rent
asked for it was absurdly low. I
questioned the agent in regard to the
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 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
bow, "but l presume to an Ameri-
can ghost is no objection"
$50 little," replied, laughing, "that
am Obliged to you for the oppor-
tunity of making the acquaintance of
this one"
Such superstitions are common in
Italy, and the agents story made lit
tie impression upon me.
During q tour of inspection around
the premises came upon the rock in
question. 1t 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 IN exceedingly
beautiful nook, and appropriate for
my hours of outdoor lounging.
On the following morning, provided
with q book and cigar, went thither,
and disposed myself comfortably in
the shade of an Give I had become
absorbed in the volume, when | was
startled by the sound of O voice near
me. 1t was apparently that of a wom-
an. wonderfully soft and sweet. and
was singing one of the ballads of the
country. could distinguish the words
as perfectly rs if spoken at an arms
length from me.
started up in amaZement. had
no visitors and my only servant was
all old man. Nevertheless, l made n
thorough exploration of the neishbor-
hood, and satisfied myself that there
was no one on the grounds. The only
public road was half u mile distant.
The nearest dwelling was directly OBJ
posite, across n level plain-in sight.
but far out of earshot. In q word, |
could make NOTHING oft
observed that when left nv
original position under the olive the
voice became instantly silent. 1t was
only within the circumference OF Il
circle OF about two yards in diameter
that it was audible ut 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 was out of this bare rock that
the voice issued.
returned to my former station in
downright bewilderment. The agents
story occurred to me, but even now !
attached no weight to it. l am a
practical man, and was firmly con-
WINGED that there must be some
rational explanation to the mystery,
ii 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 after
all? Had 1 discovered dryad EN-
bosomed in the rock? smiled scorn-
fully even as these fancies ran through,
my head.
For more than half an hour the
singingcontinued. Then it ceased and,
though | waited patiently for it's re-
newal. l heard no more of it that
day. When returned to the house |
made no mention OF the matter, re-
solving to keep it to myself until / had
solved the mystery.
The next morning ut an early hour
returned to the spot. After u tedi-
GUS interval the singing began again.
1t went softly and dreamily through
one velse of a song and ceased. Pres.
entity heard a deep sigh, and then. in
n slow, thoughtful tone, the voice
said:
"Oh,how lonesomei tis. Am to pass
my whole life alone in this dreamy
place."
There was no answer; evidently the
person was merely soliloquizing.
Could she hear me if spoke. as /
heard her, supposing her to be q living
being after all2 l determined to haz-
ard the experiment.
"Who is it that is speaking?" ask
ed.
For some moments there was no re-
ply; then i'll q low, frightened whisper,
the voice said:
"Whut is it? heard voice."
"Yes," l answered. "You heard
mine line, Ispoke to you"
who are your" asked the voice
TREMENDOUSLY, care you a spirit?"
81 am a living man." returned.
"Can you not see me?"
"No, answered the voice. can on
ly hear you. Oh, where are you?
Pray do not frighren me. Come out
OF your cOncealment and let me see
you.
Indeed, don't wish to alarm YOU"
replied, ~ am not hidden. am
standing directly in front of the spot
whence your voice seems TO come"
"You are invisible" was the trcm-
bling answer. "Your voice comes to
me out Of the mir. Holy Virgin! You
must be q spirit. What have done
to deserve this?"
"Have no fear of me, Iintreat you, 4"
l said, earnestly. sit is as much of q
mystery to me as it is to you. Ihear
you speak, but you are likewise invisi-
ble."
care you a real living being?" asked
the voice, doubtfully. Then why do
not see you? Come to me. Twill sit
here. will not fly"
TELL me where l am to come"
said.
Z" Here is my garden in tho arbor."
"There is no drhor here, Ireturned.
"Only n rock out of which you seem
to be speaking"