The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1882-09-14

for on this occasion, NJ he deserved to.
Jacks heart throbbed little as he met
the gaze Of the young lady; but II he
felt any emotion II must have been
slight; she was very busy with her GUS
TONER'S and especially with her whole
sale patron, Mr.. Staples, vet, rs the
Lieutenant babe her good-evcning and
turned away he saw her eyes drop and
faint flush steal over her cheeks. For
two old friends 80 long separated tho
meeting was decidedly cold and formal,
and jack was chilled to the marrow.
In the stirring events Of the next
two years Horton bore his full share
at Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville,
Antietam, Gettysburg, the Wilderness,
down to Cold. Harbor, where. ut tho
head Of his regiment, he fell, desperate
~ wounded, in the terrible and nnsuc-
cessful assault on that stronghold
He was conveyed to the hospital Mt
Washington in seemingly sensclcss
condition. with several wounds, each Of
which was dangerous. Tho nurses
moved among the wounded men like
angels of mercy. Some of the soldiers
lay in stnpor, some were raving with
dclirium, and others dying III agony.
For days Horizons life hung on thread,
his fevered brain mercifnlly rendering
him unconscious Of suffering. Az he
awoke one morning soft and gentle
hand was soothing his brow, when the
dampness indicated that the fever was
broken. He tried to open his eyes, but
was too weak; speak he could not: and
many hours passed before he could dis
Germ what was around him. Since the
night of the Cold Harbor fight his lifc
had been a blank. He remembered
nothing. And now he saw before him
the physician and the nurse, with a
sweet. pale face, that looked familiar,
bnt he could not recall the name of it's
owner. Again trying to speak. the sur
geon kindly whispered, Keep perfectly
quiet and all will be WE'LL" and the fe-
male attendant, Mt his motion, with
drew.
The next morning his dim vision dis
ccrned the same pale and anxious face
and CLEAN of wondering inquiry passed
over his countenance as lie gazel upon
her. At last he feebly whispered,
"Where am I?'
In the hospital, and with friends"
she gently answered.
He would have spoken. more, but she
withdrew The next day he was strong
or. and he asked. Where have l seen
you?' At a sign from the physician the
nurse answered:
AT your old home. Don't You know
me? l am Abbie Latham. You are
getting better now, and will soon be
we'll"
.lack was strong enough to begin to
collect his thoughts, which were. Of
course, Mt once concentrated on his
nurse. He improved wonderfully under
her care, and one bright morning oc-
cured the last conversation we shall
record in this romantic sketch.
Miss Latham was sitting by the side
Of his cot, arranging bouquet. The
wounded man had begun to feel like his
old self, and permission was given hin,
to converse all he desired
How long have you been in the hos
pital, Abbie?'
More than n year." she replied in q
sweet, womanly voice.
Jack thought he had never beheld a
fairer creature. Iii she WAS beautiful rs
girl. the scenes she had witnessed had
touched and chastened all TINT was
lovable and womanly in her nature. She
was no longer girl-she was tender,
thoughtful woman.
You have saved my life," said Jack
his eyes filling with tears.
/ No, no. Your strength has tri-
umphed. have done what little !
I could. Oh. you were SO terribly hurt I"
] And here her eyes filled and her bosom
heaved as she took his hand and gently
pushed the brown curling locks away
/ from his forehead.
/ Jack had never felt SO happy before
i in his life, despite the solemn character
of the conversation.
Il can never repay yon. Abbie I'm
only sorry for that. But If ! only dared
hope"
Perhaps you can, Jack" abe replied,
with the sweetest and most confiding
smile. Il found something in your in
ner vest pocket which has paid me al
ready" And she took from blood
stained envelope the little red mitten.
.Then you knew by that token that
had loved--at least, had never forgot
ten yon,' said Jack, who was little
confused.
Yes: and, if my womau's sense had
not told me. your talk in ,lelirium would
have provedit."
jack mentally thanked Heaven that
he had been craEy.
"Rnt, Jack, Why didn't you answer my
letter? 1t was cruel of yon."
.Your letter."
~Yes, the one sent nv post to APP
prise yon Of my present. Mr.. Staples
! took it to the Office"
And 7 never received IL. Do You
suppose that fellow was mean enough
/ to
| No. dear Jack, don't get excited. Let
MS suppose nothing. Ais well that
ends WELL
The little red mitten is treasured
relic in the Horton family, and il has
been q wondering question to several
cheruhs that gladden. the household
why mamma has never knitted mate
for it.