Weekly Chillicothe crisis. (Chillicothe, Livingston Co., Mo.) 1878-19??, 1880-03-18
A MYSTERY.
by HARLAN Z. WARD.

we are useu 10 scenes OF PAIN ana SUI
fering at the G hospital, and could look
on ghastly wounds and faces on which the
mortal agony inflicted by the surgeons
probe and knife was painted, without
blenching or apparent emotion. But when
gallant Harry belmont was brought in
from the front" with hideous hole in his
man y breast, such as only Minnie ball
could make, great hush OF sorrow and
dismay fell upon us all. And when the
surgeons solemn words, ale cannot live
three days" fell upon our ears, the hush
was broken by the 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 as brother.
We hovered over his cot throughout 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, for fear that he should waken from
the Iethargy which seemed the prelude OF
approaching death, to ask for something
that the steward could not obtain. And
then pleaded for the privilege, and after
some demur il was accorded me.
Watch him very closely" said the
surgeon to me as | took my seat for the
vigil beside the cot OF our favorlte, "for at
any moment he is liable to come out OF
the coma, and he may be wandering"
But was very tired, and about mid.
night do what could, | could not keep
my eyes from closing in a halfunconscious
revere, which, after time, merged into
a tittul slumber. And very soon occurred
the mystery of which it is my present task
to tell.
A bright dream Of the northern home
so far away" was fitting through my
brain, when suddenly seemed to be i'm
pressed with some presence, that held my
body in Il thrall, while my senses became
almost preternaturally acute. Opening
my eyes at last, gazed' towards the couch
Of the wounde captain, and by his side,
with one hand c'a'ped in hers, saw the
figure of young and beautiful lady,
whose eyes were glaring down to his with
such look Of plying tenderness, that !
felt sure at 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 surgeon-in-Chargc. had his
own brother been dying in that place, and
his father and mother come to see him,
would meyer have admitted even them,
only at regular hours.
| was so exercised in mind, that | was
just opening my lips to question the
strange visitor, when saw the steward
with light, moving along at 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 still see shining,
and | was looking through the form of the
lady who stood by my patients bedside.
| gdaed In awe upon the apparitiOn for
a few brief seconds, and then a tOrpor
overcame me, and | knew no more until
the steward roughly shook my arm and
babe me to awake for Captain belmont
was no longe~ letharglc, but delirious
But when ! looked upon his clear, calm
eyes, told the steward that he was not
delirious.
''Is Nettle hero?" he family asked, as
| bent over him.
did not question who "Nettle" was
tor was certain had seen her semblance,
and | answered, calmly:
"Nettie has been here Captain belmont
but she is not here now
II wish you would call her again, Mrs
Ennis, for | wish to speak with her."
"Did you speak with her when she was
hcrc?' asked, needing not the steward 5
great amazcment.
"No," he answered, simply, 81 tried
to speak but somehow | could not utter u
word, | suppose that was then too weak. v
WAS she your ailianced wite?" ] asked
"Not when joined the army. We had
been affianced once, but she broke off the
engagement because here his voice
taltered-"because was too poor. But |
know she loves me.
"She does," said. 81 could see it
beaming in h~r eyes.
"lf she is to nurse me-" he exclaimed,
81 surely shall recover! o, call her now,
dear Mrs. Ennis must have the assur.
ance from her own dear lips"
But persuaded him to wait till morn
ing. Morning came, and the surgeon,
after hasty examination, said the cap
tain was much better. and that a chance
for life was won. As soon as he was gone
turned again to my patient, who only
murmured, "Nettie. "
Captain belmont" | said, calmly,
"Nettie is not here"
"Not here." he cried, clutching my
hand. "Not here! why, | saw her last
night. She has not gone away again, and
left me here to die alonep"
mo, Harry, but she has not yet been
here-not in the flesh"
"Mrs. Ennis, am ! mad, or are you
For plainly saw her, and you say she has
not been here"
"Yes, | saw her." l replied, "and sht
was standing by your cot, and in her hand
she held your own. But, Capt. belmont
through her form saw the candle carried
| by the steward, half dozen cots away. y
He turned his face to the wall, and ther
trembled for the effect feared my word'
would have. But, when he turned his
face again, | saw my fear was groundless
81 called her." he said, earnestly, "anc
though five hundred miles away, shl
heald me and came TO me. God bles
her!"
And for all the surgeons prophecy, h,
rapidly began to mend. Days glidcd by
and he grew convalesCent.
| Two weeks later, gong out one day,
met lady gong in and it needed but on
glance to tel me who it was. She staret
at me, apparently bewildered. went VI
to her and took her hand
"This is Captain Delmont's Nottie, ! ex
claimed.
She looked frightened. saw that sh,
grew pale. guided her to Captain Del
mont's cot, and when we reached it an,
she beheld the surroundings, her face grey
paler still.
"Why, this is the very place | dreame
of seeing about two weeks ago and yol
are the nurse saw sitting by his col P
she gasped, rather than spoke.
did not reply. Harry belmont ha
clasped her to his breast, and yer
quietly withdrew.
Of course the story ends with happines
, and marriage, as is usual; but the appear
ance by my patients cot fear will neve
be explained. 1t is question for psyche
eglsts to settle or discuss.
An Illinois Centenarian.
, From the Canton Register.
Mr., James Flint, of Harris township
this county, will be los years old in Apr
, of this year. He was met by our inform
ant in Farmers township recently, an
seemed as hale and hearty as he was thre