Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-01-27

were raving in delirium, and others dying
in agony. For days Horizons life hung on
thread, his fevered brain mercifully rem.
dsring him unconscious of suffering. As
he awoks one morning a 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
mary hours passed before he could
discern what was around him. Since the
night of the Cold Harbor fight his life had
been a blank. He remembered nothing.
Aud now he saw before him the physician,
and the nurse with sweet pale face, that
looked familiar, but he could not recall the
name of its owner. Again trying to speak,
the surgeon kindly whispered, "Kesp
perfectly quiet and all will be well, and
the female attendant at his motion with.
drew.
The next morning his dim vision dis
cerned the same pale and anxious face
and CLEAN of wondering inquiry passed
over his countenance as he gazsd upon her.
At last he feebly whispered, "Where
am !"
In the hospital and with friends" she
gently answered.
He would have spoken more, but she
withdrew. The next day he was stronger,
and he asked, "Where have seen you %
At a sign from the PHYSICIAN the nurse an
swered
:" At your old home. Don't you know
me? l am Abbie Latham. You are getting
better now, and will soon be we'll"
Jack was strong enough to begin to col.
- 4
once concentrated on his nurse. He i'm
proved wonderfully under her care, and
one bright morning occurred the last con.
yersation we shall record in this romantic
sketch.
Miss Latham was sitting by the side OF
his cot arranging bouquet. The wounded
man had began to feel like his own self,
and permission was given him to converse
all he desired
How long have you been in the hos
pital, Abbie ?"
"More than a year," she replied in a
sweet, womanly voice.
Jack thought he had never beheld a
fairer creature. II she was beautiful as a
girl, the scenes she had witnessed had
touched and chastened all that 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 triumphed.
l have done what little l could. Oh, you
were so terribly hurt ]" And here her eyes
filled, and her bosom heaved as she took
his hand and gently pushed the brown
Iool,. frn,,, hia forohcoA
Jack had never felt so happy before in his
life, despite the solemn character OF the
conversation.
81 can never repay you, Abbie. I'm
only sorry for that. But if l dared to
hope"
Perhaps you can, Jack, she replied,
with the sweetest and most confidiDg smile.
81 found something in your inner vest
pocket which has paid me already" And
she took from blood. stained envelope the
little red mitten.
"Then you know by that token that
had loved-at least had never forgotten
you," said Jack, little confused.
"Yes; and if my woman's sense had
not told me, your talk in delirium would
have proved it."
Jack mentally thanked heaven that he
had been crazy.
"But, Jack, why didn't you answer my
letter? 1t was cruel of you"
Your letter ?"
d" Yes; the one I sent by post to ap-
praise you of my present. Mr.. Staples
took it to the Office.
land l never received it Do you
suppose that fellow was mean enough"
"No, dear Jack, don't get excited. Let
US suppose nothing. Ans well that ends
well"
The little red mitten is treasured relic
in the Horton family, and it has been a
wondering question to several cherubs that
gladdened the household why mamma has
never knit mate for it,