Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1886-03-05
THE INVISIBLE GIRL.

3AAS w O0 Af10 - pOu fG0sa9Ou1O4oN 0A 10.
! found what / wanted IN the out
skirts Of the ancient city Of hueca,
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.
s"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
a bow, ''but presume to an Ameri-
can ghost is no objection.''
$50 little" l replied, laughing, "that
l 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 tour OF Inspections around
the premises I came upon the rock in
question. It consisted OF two walls OF
granite perhaps twenty teet in height,
meeting at. an oblique angle, covered
over their greater extent with wild
vines. 1t struck me as All exceedingly
beautiful nook, and appropriate for
my hours of outdoor lounging.
On the following morning, provided
with book and cigar, I went thither,
and disposed myself comfortably in
the shade of an Give. I had become
absorbed in the volume, when T was
startled by the sound of voice near
me. 1t was apparently that of wom-
an, wonderfully soft and sweet, and
was singing one OF the ballads of the
country. I could distinguish the words
as perfectly as if spoken at an arm s
length from me.
Istarted up in amazement. Ihad
no visitors and my only servant was
an old man. Nevertheless, I made a
thorough exploration of the neighbour
hood, and satisfied myself that there
was no one on the grounds. The only
public road was half mile distant.
The nearest dwelling was directly op-
poslte, across a level plain--in sight,
but far out of 'earshot. In word, !
could makenothing ofit
ohSarv,ol lo% ~,,l>o,, 11.ft
orr ginal position under the olive the
voice became instantly silent. 1t was
only within the circumference of a
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 was out of this bare rock that
the voice issued.
l returned to my former station in
downright bewilderment. The agent S
story occurred to me, but even now
attached no weight to it. I am a
practical man, and was firmly con-
WINGED that there must be some
rational explanation to the mystery,
If l could but discover it. The voice
was certainly that of q young girl.
But where was she? Was the old
fable Of the wood nymph truth after
all? Had l discovered dryad en-
bosomed in the rock? Ismiled scorn-
fully even as these fancies ran through
my head.
For more than half an hour the
singing continued. Then it ceased and,
though waited patiently for it's re-
newal. / heard no more OF it that
day. When returned to the house l
made no mention of the matter, re-
solving to keep it to myself until had
solved the mystery.
l returned to the spot. After a tedi.
GUS interval the singing began again.
1t went softly and dreamily through
one verse OF song and ceased. Pres
entity ! heard deep sigh, and then, in
a slow, thoughtful tone, the voice
said:
"Oh, how lonesome tits. Am I to pass
my whole life alohe in this dreamy
placer"
There was no answer; evidently the
person was merely soliloquizing.
Could she hear ME if Ispoke, as ]
heard her, supposing her to be living
being after all? l determined to haz-
ard the experiment.
"Who is it that is speaking?" ask.
ed.
For some moments there was no re.
ply; then in low, frightened whisper,
the voice said:
What is it? I heard voice."
Eyes," l answered. "You heard
mine. Ispoke to you"
"Who are your" asked the voice
TREMENDOUSLY, "are you spirit?"
Il am living man. l returned.
Can you not see me?"
enc" 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 sex
you.
"Indeed, I don't wish to alarm you, >
| replied, II am not hidden. / ar
standing directly in front of the spot
whence your voice seems TO come"
"You are invisible" was the trem
bling answer. "Your voice comes tc
me out OF the air. Holy Virgin! You
must be a spirit. What have done
to deserve this?"
"Have no fear of me, Iintreat you, >
said, earnestly. "It is as much of 8
mystery to me as it is to you. hea,
you speak, but you are likewise invisi
ble."
"Are you real living being?" asked
the voice, doubtfully. Then why do
not see you? Come to me. will sit
here. I will not fy.''
Tell me where l am to come"
said.
"Here is my garden in the arbor."
"There is no arhor here" Ireturned
"Only a rock out of which you seen
to be speaking"
"Saints protect mel" answared An