The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1876-10-05
A MYSTERY!
BY MRS. EN- MS.

BY MRS. ENNIS. .riaf 9sIu4s
I-.a.a.Jl laita Il Tai1a
l was one of the lady-nurses who
volunteered for the hospitals during
the civil war between the North and
South. We were used to scenes of
pain and suffering at the Washington
hospital, and could look on gbastlyi
wounds,and faces on which the mortal
agony inflicted by the surgeons probe
and knife was painted, without blanche
Ing or apparent emotion. But when
gallant Harry belmont was brought
in from the "front," with hldeous
hole in his manly breast, such as only
MIME ball could make. great hush
of sorrow and dismay fell upon us all.
And when the surgeons solemn
words, Gle cannot live three days.
fell upon our ears, the hush was bro
ken by the sobs of strong men, as well
as the quiet weeping of the female
nurses, for all of US loved the brave
young captain as a brother.
We hovcred about his cot through
the remainder of the day; and when
night came it was agreed that one of
US should have the special duty Of
watching beside it through the night,
tor fear that he should awaken from
the lethargy which seemed the pre-
lude of approaching death, TO ask :or
something that the steward could not
obtain. And then pleaded for the
privilege, and after some demurit was
accorded me.
"Watch him very closely" said the
surgeon TO me as | took my seat for
the vigil beside the cot of our favoriie
'for at any moment he is liable 10
come out of the coma. and he may be
wandering"
But / was very tired; aud about
midnight, do what would, l could
not keep my eyes from closing in a
half unconscious revcrie, which after
a time emerged into 'titful slumber.
And very soon occurred the mystery
of which il is my present task TO tell.
a bright dream of the "northern
home so far away was fitting through |
NY brain, when suddenly 1 seemed to |
be impressed with some presence, that |
held my body in thrall, while my
senses became almost preternaturalIy |
acute. Opening my eyes at last, | |
gazed towards the couch of the wound
ed captain and by his side, with one
hand clasped in hers, saw the fl cure
Of young and beautiful lady, whose
eyes were gazing down to his, with
such look of plying tenderness that
felt sure at once she was his sweet
leart.
l wondered much, however, how
she came there in the hospital at that
lour in the night, when visitors had
never been admitted after sundown.
And knew DIR. Vance, the surgeon
n-charge. had his own brother been
lying in that place, and his father and
mother come to see him, would never
nave admitted them only at regular
hours. ftt' 2 8' g fr--- i''-
was so excited in mind, that was
Just opening my lips to question the
visitor, when L saw the steward with
4 light, moving along the lower end
Of the 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 / could see |
and l was looking Mrough |
the form OF the lady who stood by my |
patients bedside. ns ros55fsW i
gazcd in awe upon the apparition
for few brief seconds; and then a |
more until the steward roughly shook !
my arm and bade me TO awake, for !
Captain belmont was no longer leth.
argic, but delirious.
els Nellie here?" he family asked, !
as l bent over him.
L did not question who ''Nellie" was |
for l was certain had seen her SEM
and L answered, calmly,-
Nellie has been here, Captain Dell
mont, but she is not here now"
II wish you would call her again,
Mrs. Ennis, Tor l wish to speak with /
her." ......-.... ,.,,E
"Did you speak with her when she !
was here ?" | asked, needing not The
amaZement. s.f 5.f, !
NO" he answered simply. Il tried
to speak, but somehow | could not
utter a word. suppose that l was
then too weak" |
"Was she your atii lnced wife ?" f.,..
'Not when joined the army. We
had been engaged once; but she broke
off the engagement becausc"--here his
voice faltered-"because | was poor.
But | know she loves me-. .E.qI
"She does," said. ~ could see it
beaming in her eyes" ....4,.
''If she is here To nurse me-" he eX-
claimed, 81 surely shall recover! Oh
call her now, dear Mrs. Ennis--I must
have the assurance from her own lips.
But | persuaded him to wait till
morning. Morning came. and the
surgeon, after hasty examination,
said the captain was much better, and
that o chance of life was Won.I AS