The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1880-05-07
A Mystery.

fering at the G. hospital, and could
look on CHASTITY wounds and faces on
which the mortal agony inflicted by the
surgeons probe and knife was painted
without blanching or apparent emotion
But when gallant Harry belmont was
brought in from the front" with a hid
eous hole in his manly breast, such as
only mimic ball could make, great
hush of sorrow and dismay fell upon us
all. And when the surgeons solemn
| words, "He 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 Cap.
rain as brother.
We hoyered over his cot throughout
the day, and when night came it was
agreed that one of MS should have the
special duty of watching beside il
through the night, for fear that he should
waken from the 1ethargy which seemed
to prelude approaching death, to ask for
| something that the steward could not OBJ
tain. And then pleaded for the priv.
ilege, and after some demur it was ac-
| corded me.
"Watch him very closely" said the
surgeon to me, as I took my seat for the
| vigil beside the cot of our favorite, s'for
| at any moment he is liable to come out
| of the coma, and he may be wander
| ing"
But I was very tired, and about mid
night, do what could, could not keep
my eyes from closing in half-uncon-
scious reverie, which, after a time.
merged into a fitful slumber. And very
soon occurred the mystery of which it is
my present task to tell.
b,,rl,f Of Tho ssronrth horu honn q
SO far away" was fitting through my
brain, when suddenly I seemed to be
impressed with some presence that held
my body In a thrall, while my senses
became almost preternaturally acute.
Opening my eyes at last, gazed toward
the couch of the wounded captain, and
by his side with one hand clasped in hers,
( saw the figure of a young and beautiful
lady, whose eyes were glaring down to
his with such look of pltying tender
ness that felt sure at once she was his
sweetheart.
I wondered much, however, how she
came to be there in the hospital at that
hour of the night, when visitors had
never been admitted after sundown. And
knew that DIR. Vance, the surgeon in
charge, had his own brother been dying
in that place, and his father and mother
come to see him, would never have ad-
mitted them only at regular hours.
was SO exercised in mind that was
inst opening my lips to question the
strange visitor. when I saw the steward
with the light, moving along the lower
end of the ward in such a way as to bring
our visitor between the light and me,
and then my heart stood sGll. The light
the stewart carried could see shining,
and was looking through the form of the
lady who stood by my patients side.
I gazed in awe upon the apparition for
few brief seconds, and then torpor
overcame me, and knew no more until
the steward roughly shook my arm and
made me awake, for Captain belmont was
no longer lethargic, but delirious. But
when / looked upon his clear, calm eyes,
I told the steward he was not delirious.
"Is Nettie here?" he family asked, as I
bent over him.
did not question who "Nettie" was,
for was certain I had seen her SEM
blance, and I answered, calmly:
''Nettie has been here, Captain Del
mont, but she is not here now"
81 wish you would call her again.
Mrs. Ennis, for I wish to speak with
her."
''Did you speak with her when she
was here?" asked, needing the stewards
great amazement."
NO." he answered simply. ST tried
to speak, but somehow could not utter
a word; I suppose I was then too
weak"
'sWas she your affianced wife?''
asked.
t'Not when joined the army. We
had been affianced once, but she broke
the engagement because" here his voice
faltered-"because was too poor. But
1 know she loves me-"
''She does," said, 81 could see it in
her eyes.
'sIf she is to nurse me-" he exclaimed,
II surely shall recover! o, call her now,
dear Mrs. Ennis-I must have the as
surance from her own 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 chance
for life was won. As soon as he was
gone turned to my patient, who only
murmured, "Nettie."
Captain Delmont," I said, calmly,
'.Nettie is net here
''Not here!' he cried clutching my
hand. eNot here! why I saw her last
night. She has not gone away again,
and left me to die alone?"
.'No, Harry. but she has not yet been
here-not in the flesh"
Mrs. Ennis, am mad or are you? for
I plainly saw her, and you say she has
not been here. ;"
eyes, I saw her. replied, s'and she
was standing by your cot, and in her
hand she held your own. But Captain
belmont, through her form I saw the
candle carried by the steward, half
dozen cots away.
He turned his face to the wall, and
then trembled for the effect ] feared
my words would have. But when he
turned his face again I saw my fear was
groundless.
81 called her." he said earnestly, ''and
though five hundred miles away, she
heard me and came to me. God bless
herr'
And for all the surgeons prophecy he
rapidly began to mend. Days glided by,
and he grew convalsscent.
Two weeks later, going out one day, I
met lady going in, and it needed but
one glance to tell me who it was. She
stared at me, apparently bewildered. I
went up to her and took her hand.
This is Captain DeImont's Nettiev I
exclaimed.
She looked frightened. I saw that she
grew pale. guided her to Captain Del
Il. 4 4