The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1871-03-30
A MYSTlcRY.

suffering at the G. hospital, and could
look on ghastly wounds, and faces on
which the mortal agony Inflicted by
the surgeons probo and knife was
painted without bleuchiug or apparent
emotion. But when gallant Harry
belmont was brought in from "thc
front" with a hideous hole 10 his manly
breast, such as only Minnie ball could
make, great hush of sorrow aud dis
may fell upon us all. And when the
surgeons solemn words, " lie cannot
live three days" fell upon our ears,
the hush was broken by tho sobs Of
strong men, as well as by the more
quiet weeping Of the female nurses, for
all Of us loved the brave young captain
rs a brother.
We lowered over his cot througbou,
the day, and when night came, it was
agreed that one Of us should haO the
special duty Of watching beside it
through the night, for fear that he
should waken from the lethargy which
seemed the prelude Of approaching
death, to ask for something that the
steward could no: obtain. And then
pleaded for the privilege, aud alter
some demur it was accorded me.
"Watch him very Closely said the
surgeon as | took my seat for the vigil
beside the cot Of our favorite, "ior at
any moment ho is liably to come out Of
the coma, and he may be wandering"
But | was very tired, aud about
midnight, do what | could, could not
keep my eyes from closing in half
unconscious reverie, which, after a
timo, merged into ftful sluuber
And very soon occurred the mystery
Of which it is my present task to tell
A bright dream of the porthern home
so far away, was fitting through my
brain, when suddenly l seemed to be
impressed with some presence, that
held my body in thrall, while my
senses became almost preternaturally
acute. Opening my eyes at last,
gazed towards tho couch Of tho wounded
captain, and by his side, with one
hand clasped 10 hers I saw the figure Of
of young aud beautiful lady, whose eyes
were giaripg down to his with such a
look Of plying tenderness, that l felt
sure al once she was his sweetheart.
] wondered much, however, how she
came there in the hospital at that hour
Of the night, when visitors had never
been admitted after sundown. And |
knew DIR. Vance, the sureeor-in- -charge,
had his own brother been dying in
that place, and his father and mother
come to see him, would nevor have
admitted even them, only at regular
hours, ,s.l
l was so exercised 10 mind. that ]
was just opening my lips to question the
strange visitor, when | saw the stew
ard with q light, moving along the
lower end Of tie ward in such way
as to bring our visitor between the
light and me, and then my heart stood
still. The lamp the steward carried l
could still sec shining, sod | was look
Jog through the form of the lady who
stood BY my patients bedside.
! gsxsd in awe upon the apparitiop
tor Z few brief seconds, and ihsp .
torpor overca.as me. and l knew no
moro until the steward roughly shook
my arm and bsds me to awake for
Captain Delmont vas no longer leth-
srgic, but delirious. But when !
looked upon bis clear calm eye, l told
the steward be was not dslirious. 'ta'
IL Nettis here !" be family asked,
y ] bent over hin. I, \. v;
/ did not qssstioa who "Nsttis"
vas, for vas ssrtaia I had seen her
tsublancs. and I answered. calmly !.
"Nsitie has ben here, Captain Dtls
sons. bat ~ = ~ hsss nsx.": st,s