Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1886-12-25
n a slow, thoughtful tone the voice

pass MY WhOl0 llA0 III Vhio ulSdlJ
place."
"Who is it that is speaking?" 1
asked. For some moments there
was no reply; then in low, frighten-
ed, whisper, the voice said:
"What was it? l heard a voice."
"Yes," answered. II spoke to
you"
"Who are you ?" asked the voice
TREMENDOUSLY; "are you spirit?"
II am living man, 1 returned.
Can you not see me~
"No, answered the voice. II can
only hear you. Oh, where are you -?
Pray do not frighten me. Come out
of your concealment and let me see
your
"Indeed, l do not wish to alarm
you" replied. 81 am not hidden.
I am standing directly in front of the
spot whence your voice seems to
come"
"You are invisible," was the trem-
bling answer. "Your voice comes to
me out of the air. You must be a
spirit. What have done to deserve
this?"
"Have no fear of me, / entreat
YOU" said earnestly. at is as much
mystery to me as to you. l hear
you speak, but you are likewise in
visible"
"Are you real living being"
asked the voice, doubtful. "Then
why do / not see you? Come to me.
l will sit here. l will not fly"
'"Tell me where / am to come to-"
/ said.
"Here in my garden, in the arbor."
"Thereis noarbor here" Returned.
"Only a solid rock out of which you
seem to be speaking"
"Saints protect mel" answered the
voice. 81 dare not stay here longer.
Spirit of man, farewell"
"But you will come again." l
pleaded. "Will you not be here to-
morrow at the same hour?"
81 dare not-but yet your voice
sounds as if you would do me no
harm. Yes Twill come"
was faithful to my appointment
with the voice on the following morn
ing. l waited but a few moments,
when the soft trembling accents
broke the silence, saying: ~ am
here"
"And l too" 1 answered; 81 am
grateful to you for coming"
81 am very much afraid that am
doing wrong to come"
care you still afraid of me?"
"Not exactly, but it is so strange"
"Will you tell me your namew
"Lenore. What is yours"
George" answered, initiating
her example and giving my first
nam9 only. Shall we not be friends,
Lenore?"
ooh, yes" answered the voice
with a silver peal of laughter. Evil
IDENTITY its owner was getting over her
fears. at is SO strange-two people
who cannot see each other, and per-
haps never will, making friends"
81 will solve the mystery yet, LIE,
nore," l answered, land find out
where you ore. Would you be glad
to see me in my proper person ?'
eyes," was the reply.
"And ! would give great deal tt
see you, Lenore. You must be very
beautiful if your face is like YOU
voice."
sob, hush" was the agitated an
swer. "It is not right to speak thus
"Why not? Do you know, Lenore
that if this goes on l shall be falling
in love with sou, though | never SCI
you"
"You are very audacious," was thu
reply. ~ am going now"
"But you will come again tomor
row, Lenore~
eff you will promise to he NOR
discreet, yes"
My engagement was fulfilled, ant
for many days these strange meet
ings continued. Absurd as it ma,
seem, the voice was making power
full impression upon me. The name
"Lenere," how fingered over il
Was it some sainted lost Lenore? q
Some ghostly maiden from the night
plutonian shore. No, no. l fel
there existed within that voice tn
soul of a refined loving woman.
One day toward theend of summe
we had been talking as usual, and
f had said: "My stay in Italy is neal
IL, o1,ar onoro -