The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-05-23
A DEED OF LOVE.
BY EDWARD y. WOOD.

a friend, even though lie was an enemy TO our
cause. His name was Reginald Mitchell, and
has stay at our house was the one bright ray
had during the holding OF the city by Sherman.
He was with US for only few days, aud was
then sent 10 the front pursuing our army.
We did not leave The city for two months after
the Federals took possession Of II, and it was
then a hard struggle TO get my mother 10 lorsake
the beautiful home we were so attached to; but
the order was irTevocabe, and, with the rest OF
the populace, We departed.
" e went 10 a sister OF my mother who lived
on Tie route 10 Augusta, aud took up our abode
with her. Her family at home consisted Of her
self and a young daughter of perhaps IS, but a
pc fleet woman, beautiful as an angel ana daring
as The most fearless Her name was Nellie
Price.
They net Us with oTen arms and placed every
on, Jewell" cried Neaie with her arms
about my neck, ! am SO gao you have cOmcJ
have been 50 lonely that am almost wild"
u shouldn't think So" smiled her mother,
with "A teasing glance; land ! don't think your
handsome soldier would take il a compliment
10 hear you speak so lightly about his powers TO
please For my part, i think you have been haV-
ing quite gay time"
AID have you caught a beau?" cried, rs l
seized her soft lands III mine and looked INTO the
depths of her dark, liquid eyes and wondered
how any man could look into them without being
Yes she answered, with charming frank
ness " nave"
You are ahead of me-" ] said for this cruel
war has killed my chances Of matrimony."
When | had drawn Nettie from the rest l be-
gan routing out questions about her lover.
" lie VIII be heIe tonight" all the reply
j got from tier, " aud you can judge better for
yUuISell." Bus learned that size had not known
uIm gIeal VILE, but that in tile short acquain-
Lduce she Lad gwen uer heart 10 HIN and had re-
eeived his IN return. 1 waited impatieuty for
night I o come, Tor bad an unaccOuntable de-
size TO see HIM ana fom for myself an opinion.
We were seated IN Tie paTlor when lie CAME,
ana as a light tap sounded on the font door
fet my heart give strange throD.
NeIlle FASTENED 10 answer lie call and l
head her speak Of a cousin from Atlanta, by
which knew she meant NE.
they entered the room slowly Neitle In ad-
vance, htr pIelIy face alght with joy and pleas
uIe Her lover seemed rather iardy about com
ing 10 The 'front.' but my cousin spOhe my
name, and stepped 10 one Side for me 10 see him,
cry escaped my lips, for III The person of Net
ties lover recognized Reginald Mitchell, the
gay Yankee solder who bad been such source
vi amusement TO me IN Atlanta.
He knew me, and as he gaZed al my face q
deathiy luoh oyeISpTead lis cOuntenance.
Neither spoke Tor several moments, when Net
tie broke lhe silence by eXcaimiDg:
" Why, Je well, do You know hlm?
81 do" l replied, and, tuning him, asked,
''Aud pray Tell ne, Mr.. Mitchell, when you donned
The gray Tor the biue?"
Nellie gave a cry of terror and came close to
me, Willie her great appealing eyes looked into
mine.
- Eieau," was my reply that lie Is a spy"
\ white palloT Oyerspread her lace; then she
slowly tuned 10 him, and In a stern, cold voice,
asked:
{" Is his true?"
he bowed lis handsome head, and answered.:
" lien Why are you inside Inc Confederate
hnes?" l asked
To see her lie answered for love her well
enough 10 brave any dagger but" and he threw
his head up with proud gesture, although
have Dten within these lines dozen times, and
seen The st englh Of your army, Yet have not
bIeatLed one VOID of your weakness or strong
holds 10 my commander. My business is TO visit
the lady love, aud when that Is completed go
Dcsmte my suspicious 1 could not but help
admire aud believe him, but III such times as
We weIe passing through nothing could be too
rigi1.
Nette had stood between us, swaying back and
Ioiih, as If undecided which way TO turn, but as
Reginald finished she threw herself Into his
arms and soObed:
Il leiieye you, Reginald; but you must come
no mUIe, iOI you ni4ht be suspected, and then
my God, l dare not thIuk OF 1t! Now 90,
daring and when this struggle is ended trust
gracious Providence VIII reunile u.s."
lie moved to 60, but before lie had taken
hail dozen steps Ihe a sudden commotion
on he outside and head voice say:
This Is tie house lie entered"
"Al right, boys, guard the outside well, while
Ienler aud searcn tl- Interior"
There came loud camor at the door that
almost shOUk tie house, ana deep voice cried
Rtgiuai stood ike carved figure, and al
though he paled slightly there was no sign Of
fear In his handsome face.
Come This way" cried Nettic. catching him
by the ann. 81 must hide you. Jewell, YOU go
To the door ana keep them as long as you can"
watched lie desperate girl as she dragged
mn Oui Oh Tue room ana wondered Wnele SHE
would place our necks. but 1 did she COM
mauded and went 10 the door.
Ii was well that opened 1t when did, for
tile fasIenings would not have stood the strokes
much lODgeT-
IopeneI it, and looked out. In the doorway
sIUOd lwO men, in Confederate UNIFORM and 10
Of them said, courIeuusly;
"Madam, We regret very much disturbing you,
but We Will be compelled 10 search your house"
"FOr Nhat?" l asked III as sleepy tone as
possible, although l was never so thoroughly
awake before.
'Ior a spy" lie replied. "he was seen to enter
at Is a mistake" 1 answered, "he must have
gone some otler way; there has been no one here
tonight"
"Iitgret 10 differ with you, madam, but one Of
my men tracked him to this place, and you will
De Obliged TO submit 10 thorough search Of your
premises"
"Very we'll" I assented seeing they were
growing Impatient, and trusting that / had de-
layed them long enough, as l opened the door
and admitted them.
Tuey hastily went through the lower floor, but
found nothing. Then TO lie second story they
buried
On this floor was the sleeping apartment Of
Nettir aud myself and alter them went. /
IUund the door OF cur room about half 0peU and
Net ie standing III II with nothing but her night
gown OH, rubbing her eyes and calling 10 me.
went 10 her, and, IN a tone not too loud but loud
enough Tor The ears Of the searcheTs, she said:
Jewel, pl asc ask them 10 be little easier
about It. for If they disturb mother size Will die.
Tel Them TO search as much as they wish, but
when they come this way to move lightly"
THIS hd0 the desired effect, for one OF the rul-
lbG cEhidCltilSlCS Oh Tie S"ulneIntF is respect
ana tenderness Tor The weaker sex and when
they got 10 The room mentioned they stepped as
nOlselessly as kittens.
Nette stood IN the doorway, her face as pale
as death, but her lips compressed with a deter
mlhalI0n not to be resisted.
she flung open the door and whispered to the
men: search, Tut do II easily, for my mother
lies on The bed, very low, and as a favor TO me,
beg that you will speedily conclude and put me
out oi suspense. for the slightest noise may be
her DEAL blow"
The men looked at one another and then at the
beautiful glrl IN The doorway. undecided TO
what TO do next Finally one OF them whis-
pered:
" It's all right Duke; he's not in there, I'd
sweat !" ana They moved on 10 another chamber.
They did bOt cume back la Nettie's direction
again. but the daring girl did not move tom her
position until they were out OF the house aud
she heard The tramp Of the soldiers as they
MARCHED away.
Then she broke down and ran to me, weeping
tears OF Joy and relaxation.
here on earth did you put him, Nettie?"
asked, as was surprised they did not find
hlnl. As Their search was very rigid.
She blushed, and, hiding her face on my breast,
replied:
He-yas the sicA mother was so careful Of"
Kissed her, proud OF her devotion, aud when
Regnald came down / said:
Mi. Mitchell, you have won the heart OF the
DiaSest slil III Georgia, and for her sake do not
Isn such another fisk, but wait until this war is
done. ana then seek aud make her the happiest
oil women. lie caught my hand and murmuTed
thanks OF gratitude. hen graspng Nettie In
and said:
Darling will listen to the words OF wisdom,
but when This struggle is past l shall come TO
claim you, IL God spares my life"
With one last embrace aud parting kiss, he
stepped IRON the room aud was gone.
Tie days OF tile civil war were numbered, and
1t was not long before Lee gave up his sword.
\ Three months after This surrender Reginald
Mitchell