The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1886-03-12
MYSTERIOUS COURTING.
! Man Falls in Love With a
Woman's Voice.

4 Having decided to finish the year in
Italy, looked about me for dwelling,
10 be had upon reasonable terms. /
found what wanted in the outskirts of
Ahe ancient city of Lucca, one of the
Boveliest spots in the peninsula. The
house was quite new, and in every way
desirable, while the rent asked for it was
kbsurdly low. l questioned the agent
IN regard to this circumstance. Hay-
Hng my money safe, he could afford to
BE truthful.
"There is nothing against the house
Htself," he said, 'sbut the grounds have
Ehe reputation of being haunted
Strange sounds are said to be heard
hear that ledge OF rock in the park yon-
Sler. We Italians are superstitious,
bignor," he added, with bow, '.but l
presume to an American ghost is no
objection
$50 little,' I replied, laughing, s'that
am obliged to you for the opportunity
bf making the acquaintance of this
bne.n
1 Such superstitions are common in
Htaly, and the agents story made very
little impression upon me. During a
Hour of inspection around the premises /
kame upon the rock in question. 1t
consisted of two walls of granite, per-
baps twenty feet in height, meeting at
Nm oblique angle, covered over their
Greater extent with vines. 1t struck
Bne as an exceedingly beautiful nook,
hnd appropriate for my hours OF out
Eloor lounging.
On the following morning, provided
with book and cigar, went thither,
hnd disposed myself comfortably in the
Shade of an olive. / had become alb
korbed in the volume, when / was
ktartled by the sound of avoice near me.
t was apparently that of woman,
kyonderfully soft and sweet, and was
kinging one of the ballads of the coun-
Dry. / could distinguish the words as
perfectly as if spoken at arms length
from me. started up in amazement.
d had no visitors and my only servant
Ewas an old man. Nevertheless, made
thorough exploration of the neighbor-
hood, 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 op.
poste, across level plain-in sight
Ebut far out of ear-shot. In word,
Bcould make nothing of it.
observed that when left my origina
position under the olive the voice be
came instantly silent. 1t was only with
Din the circumference of circle of abou
two yards in diameter that it was audible
at all. 1t appeared to proceed from the
Rngle between the two walls of rock
The minutest examination failed to re
Eyeal anything but the bare rock. Yet i
was out OF this bare rock that the voic'
ISSUED.
returned to my former station il
downright bewilderment. The agent
story occurred to me, but even now
attached no weight to it. lam practi
cal man, and was firmly convinced tina
there must be some rational explanation
pf the mystery, if could but discove
BIT. The voice was certainly that of
koung girl. But where was shep Wa
the old fable of the wood nymph trutl
Ehfter ALP Had l discovered dryad em
bosomed in the rockp smiled scornful
ly even as these fancies ran through m
head. For more than half an hour tn
singing continued. Then it ceased and
Though waited patiently for its re
hewal, heard no more of it that day
EWhen ] returned to the house made n
mention of the matter, resolving to kee
it to myself until had solved the mys
Etery.
The next morning at an early hour
Ereturned to the spot After tediou
softly and dreamily through one vers
ofa song and ceased. Presently | hear
deep sigh and then in a slow, though
$ful tone the voice said:
"Oh. how lonesome it is. Am t
pass my whole life alone in this drear
EplacePn
There was no answer; evidently til
rerson was merely soliloquizing. Coul
she hear me if spoke, as / heard he
supposing her to be living being
all. / determined to hazard the exper
Ament-
"Who is it that is speakingp" aske,
For some moments there was no repl,
then in q low, frightened whisper. Il
Evoice said:
What was itp / heard voice"
"Yes, - nIanswered. "You heard min
spoke to you"
"Who are, youp" asked the voic
tremulously; ''are you a spiritp"
II am living man." returne
"Can you not see mep"
NO." answered the voice. II ca
only hear you. Oh, where are yol
Pray do not frighten me. Come out
your concealment and let me see you,
Indeed, l don't wish to alarm you,
| replied. II am not hidden. l a
standing directly in front of the sp
whence your voice seems to come"
You are invisible, was the trer
bling answer. Yourvoice comes to Il
put Of the air. You must be spiri
What have / done to deserve thisp"
Have no fear of me, entreat you
said earnestly. "It is as much a my
fery to me as it is to you. / hear. u
fpeak, but you are likewise invisible
"Are you real living beingP" ask
the voice, doubtfuly. Then why dc
not see youp Come to me. ! will
& lere. I will not fly"