The Arizona sentinel., 1886-03-13
MYSTERIOUS COURTING.
A Man Falls In Love With a
Woman's Voice.

Having decided to finish the year in
Italy, looked about me for dwelling,
to be had upon reasonable terms.
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 it was
absurdly low. L questioned the agent
in regayd to this circumstance. Hav-
ing my money safe, he could afford to
be truthful.
There is nothing against the house
1tself,' 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 yon-
der. We Italians are superstitious,
signor," he added, with a bow. ''but
presume to an American a ghost is no
objection"
80 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 the agents story made very
little impression upon me. During a
tour of inspection around the premises l
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
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. l had become alb
sorbed in the volume, when l was
startled by the sound of voice near me-
1t was apparently that of a woman,
wonderfully soft and sweet, and was
singing one of the ballads of the coun-
try. l could distinguish the words as
perfectly as if spoken at arms length
from me. / started up in amazement
| had no visitors and my only servant
was an old man. Nevertheless, made
a 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 OPP
posite, across a level plain-in sight,
but far out of ear-shot. In a word,
could make nothing of it.
/ observed that when left my original
position under the olive the voice be-
came instantly silent. 1t was only with
in 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 mlnutest examination failed to re-
veal 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 AGENT
story occurred to me, but even now l
attached no weight to it. lam practi-
cal man, and was firmly convinced that
there must be come rational explanation
of the mystery, if | could but discover
1t. The voice was certainly that of
young girl. But where was she? Was
the old fable of the wood nymph truth |
after all? Had | discovered dryad en-
bosOmed in the rock? | smiled scornful- |
Iy even as these fancies ran through nv
head. For more than half an hour the |
singing continued. Then it ceased and, !
though / waited patiently for its re-
newal, / heard no more of it that day.
When returned to the houseI made no
mention of the matter, resolving to keep
it to myself until had solved the mys- /
terry.
The next morning at an early hour l |
returned to the spot. After a tedious |
interval the singing began. 1t went |
softly and dreamily through one verse
of a song and ceased. Presently l heard
a deep sigh and then in slow, thought
full tone the voice said:
.'Oh. how lonesome it is. Am l to |
pass my whole life alone in this dreary
placer"
There was no answer; evidently the |
person was merely soliloquizing. Could |
she hear me if l spoke, as / heard her, |
her to be a living being at |
all. determined to hazard the expert |
ment.
''WhO is it that is speaking?' Iasked. |
For some moments there was no reply; |
then in low, frightened whisper, the |
voice said:
What was it? / heard a voice.
"Yes," Ianswered. ''You heard mine. |
spoke to you"
''Who are you?' asked the voice,
''are you spirit?"
Il am living man." returned.
'4Can Won NOT SEQ mepn
No." answered the voice. Il can
only hear you. Oh, where are youP |
Pray do not frighten me. Come out of
your concealment and let me see you"
Indeed, don't wish to alarm you,"
| replied. II am not hidden. / am
standing directly in front of the spot
your voice seems to come"
You are invisible" was the trem-
bling answer. Your voice comes to me
1ut of the air You must be spirit.
What have done to deserve this?"
Have no fear of me, l entreat you,"
said earnestly. ''It is as much a mys-
cry to me as it is to you. l hear you
speak, but you are likewise invisible
Are you real living being?" asked
he voice, doubtfully. Then why do l
not see you? Come to me. | will sit
lere. / will not fly"