The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-08-10

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visited all the places knew she would be
likely TO call at; but at every one ! met
the same reply: "She has not been here.
By this time the rest OF the family
were as frightened as |, and summoning
assistance we began 90 scour the country
ON the outskirts Of the town. Being near
a large city, the roads were frequented
NV hard characters, and we fearcd-what
we feared we did not dare to speak aloud.
We searched for hours, but without
any trace or clew, and most Of the party
had decided to wait until daylight before
continuing the search. |, too, had turned
back. when one Of those voices, now so
familiar. spoke my name. i waited.
Turn to the left. BY the big oak you
will find Nellie" You may not believe 1t.
No matter. had no thought Of hesitat-
ing-my faith was s1re-and turning my
horse, / fairly flew over the snow. 1t
was only a short way, and was at the
oak. sprang out of the sleigh and
flashed my light here and there, then gave
one cry, "Nelliel" and knew no more;
When came out of nay fathers house
again the snow had disappeared, the trees
were putting forth their tiny leaves and
the brave little croSus was in full bloom.
Winter had retired in favor Of spring
Most of the time was blank TO me.
From the moment saw Nellie's upturned
face under the. old oak | knew nothing
until, weeks after, found myself in my
room, with mother bending over me.
When was able to bear it. they told
me nil there was to tell. Nellie had been
found lying in the snow, dead There
were tracks of sleigh, but so far as they
were able to judge, there was no struggle
of any kind Where her head lay, there
was a large stone, and mark on her
forehead made them theorize that per
haps she fell from the sleigh and came
to her death through its means. But
why was she there, and who was with
her, and why did he leave her? Detec
tives had failed to find any clew. The
country was in such state OF excitement
all the time, that the occurrence was for
gotten sooner than it might have been
except by the heartbroken family and
immediate friends.
Yes-one other did not forget it. lie
who had caused her death could not for
get it. All the theories in the world
could not shake my belief that she had
been murdered--but by whom? My life
should be given to find out. | grew
better. but the great shock had taken all
the ambition and aim of my life out of
me. Work | could not Even if | did
busy my hand with this thing or that
nv mind was not with it; it simply used
up time,
Al. NH hnx
their own heavy grief to bear, sorrowed
still more to see me in such state. And
my God, how | suffered!
At length could stand it no longer.
The president was calling for more troops
here was chance for relief. went to
nv father and told him it was my only
hope-I must get away from myself or
die. ! can see him now, as he sat in his
study, his face buried in his hands, strug
Cling against love and desire. At length,
clasping my hands, he placed the other
on nv head, and said: William, it is for
the best-go, and may God protect you
| will pass over the intervening days,
for though | had my desire, and all
thought it was for the best, the parting
was no less hard | obtained an officers
tOIllIllSSlODs anu NClb OuC WIN a. iCihS
regiment, In the hardships and the ex-
element of army life | grew away from
my old self and grief and became man
1t had been day of heavy fighting, and
many of our brave men lay dead and
diving on the field. My regiment had
been in the thickest of it, and after it was
all over / went forth to look after my
men and to render such assistance as /
could or that might be needed. was
wandering about in the vicinity where we
had been fighting when one of those
voices that still haunted me, but no
longer gave me any uneasiness, said:
Willie | waited Turn to yonr left
Remember Nelliel" Perhaps you can
imagine how this startled me; not the
sound of the "voice"-that was an old
story -- but those words. Remember
Nellie" Remember her | never forgot
her or her sad fate Sleeping or waking
| seemed to see her upturned face as it
Law there on the snow; but the 'voice
said. Remember Nellie! turned and
walked on mechanically. knew ! was
being led for some purpose, and soon the
voice" said, He is here" Who was
here?
looked down, and there lay young
man in an officers uniform; he had ia
miliar look, but my memory refused to
place him. Suddenly, as by a great effort,
it flashed across my brain he was one Of
the students at college, and a great ad-
mirer of Nellie's. He was of Spanish
birth. and Nellie often said she was fairly
afraid of him.
And there he lay, cold and lifeless. But
why had | been led here? lstooped down,
and saw that one hand had drawn small
leather case half out of his pocket
loosened it and opened the case. Inside
found his name and q few papers, then a
picture. gasped, and almost fell. 1t
was Nellie's, and fastened to it was lock
of hair Then it flashed across my mind,
as thoughts will, without any apparent
reason, that here ay'Nellie's murderer.
asked the question, In my mind, and,
turning my face upward, waited for al
answer 1t was only few seconds-it
seemed an age; then voice" close to my
car whispered Yes"
They tell me was picked up insensible,
and many were Tao questions poured in