Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1886-04-30
MYSTERIOUS COURTlNG.

Having decided TO nnlsn the year III
Italy, | looked about me for dwelling,
to be had upon reasonable terms. l
found what | wanted in the outskirts OF
the ancient city Of Lucca, one of the
loveliest spots in the peninsula. The
house was quite new, and in every way
desirable, while the rent asked for u
was absurdly low. | questioned the
agent in regard to this circumstsnc
Having my money safe he could afford
to be truthful.
"There is nothing against the house
itself" said he, "but the grounds have
the reputation of being haunted.
Strange sounds are said to be heard
near that ledge of rock in the parx yoE-
der. We Italians are superstitious,
signor," he said, with a bow, "but l
presume to an America a ghost is no OBJ
jection."
$50 little" replied, laughing, THAT
| am obliged to you for the opportunity
of making the acquaintance of this one. "
Such superstitions are common In
Italy, and tho agents story made very
little impression upon me. During a
tour of inspection around the premises
came upon the rock in question. 1t
consisted of two walls of granite, per-
haps twenty feet in height, meeting at
an oblique angle, covered over their
greater extent with vines. 1t struck
I me as an exceedingly beautiful nook,
and appropriate for my hours of out
door lounging.
On the following morning, provided
with book and cigar, went thither,
and disposed myself comfortably in the
shade of an olive. | had become abb
sorbed in the volume, when | was
startled by the sound of voice near me.
1t was apparently that of woman,
wonderfully soft and sweet, and Was
singing one of the ballads of the coun-
try. | could distinguish the words as
perfectly as if spoken at arms length
from me. started up in amazemeht.
| had no visitors and my only servant
was an old man. Nevertheless, j made
thorough exploration of the neighbor-
hood, and satisfied myself that there
was no one in the grounds. The only
public road was half mile distant.
The nearest dwelling was directly op
posite, across level plain-in sight,
! but far out of ear-shot. In a word,
could make nothing of il.
| observed that when left my origi-
nal position under the olive the voice
became instantly silent. 1t was only
within the circumference Of circle OF
about two yards in diameter 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. Yet it was out of this bare rock
that the voice issued.
l returned to my former station in
downright bewilderment. The agents
story occurred to me, but even now
attached no weight to it. | am pTac.
tical man, and was firmly convinced
that there must be some rational expla-
nation 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 after all? Had L dis
covered dryad embosomed in the rock
| smiled scornfully even as these fancies
ran through my head. For more than
half all hour the singing continued.
Then it ceased and, though l waited
patiently for its renewal, l heard nc
more Of it that day. When l returned
to the house 1 made no mention of the
matter, resolving to keep it to myself
until l had solved the mystery.
The next morning at an early hour
returned to the spot. After a tedious
interval the singing began. Ii went
softly and dreamily through one verse
of song and ceased. Presently heard
a deep sigh and then in a slow, thought
full tone the voice said:
"Oh, how lonesome it is. Am / tc
pass my whole life alone in this dreary
place?''
There was no answer; evidently the
person was merely soliloquising. Gould
she hear ME if spoke, as | heard her
supposing her to be living being at all
| determined to hazard the experiment
'sWho is it that is speaking?" asked
For some moments there was no reply
then in low, frightened whisper, The
voice said:
"Wbat was it? l teard voice."
eyes," answered, ''you heard mine
l spoke to you"
"who are you?" asked the voice
tremulously; care you a spirit!"
81 am a living man." 1 returned
"Can you not see me?"
"No," answered the voice. 81 cal
only hear you. Oh, where are you