Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-08-31
A WAR ROMANCE.
TYPICAL DEVOTION or VIRGINIA wo-
MEN TO THE LOST CAUSE.
How Richmond Girl Saved Robert Gre
gory's Leg and Life and How
He Won wife.
Amherst Enisrprise.l

amherst Enferprtsel
The scene Is in q church in Winchester.
Tenn, which had been converted into
hospital during tho last year Of the war.
A fresh relay Of our wounded heroes had
Just been brought in, and hastily were the
women Of tho little town, both young girls
and matrons, arranging cots for their occu-
pancy.
A young cir, stepped eagerly to the door
as the first ambulance drove up aud ex-
claimed:
II claim the virginians, il there be any
amongst the wounded. Why. DIR. Forbes,
is that you? SO glad you are TO be here.
shall take charge of one of your patients
| may / notl"
THAT you may, Miss Nellie. for though
you are young, my dear, know your true
heart and kind patience may be trusted.
Yes, there Is VirglDian here who is badly
wounded, and he shall be delegated to
your care, as you seem so desirous."
us he seriously hurt ?" she asked. he
seems to be unconscious" she added SOFT
ly; but all exhausted as he was with sur
| fering and prostration. yet upon his iwes,
ried ear fell her cords so low and soft,
like sunshine with fragrance. OF flowers
blent "-and then be indeed became IN,
conscious; and il was only with the united
efforts of the doctor and the nurse that he
slowly revived.
"A little more, justa little more" gently
urged the anxious Nellie. as she held the
cream and brandy to his lips. He felt that
the effort was too much for him; but when
he encountered the sweet look OF tender
sympathy beaming from the depths OF
those dark gazelle. eyes Robert gregory
had no longer power TO refuse.
SHE WAS RICHMOND GIRL.
| Nellie Grey was O native of Richmond
| and lived there until she had attained her
| fourteenth year, when losing both OF her
| parents within short time she came 20
Winchester to live with her fathers sister,
| Mrs. Darlington.
She was now about eighteen. petite and
graceful, her dark hair and eyes forming a
marked contrast to her very fair com:
plexion. Quick and impulsive, full OF
| sympathy, she was q rare combination OF
strength and shyness, mirth and thought
| fuiness each asserting its place as occa-
| sion required.
Nellie always declared her speclalty vas
| nursing the sick, and Robert Gregory,
think, soon learned fully to endorse this
| sentiment.
A few DAYS had passed, and Nellie's pa
| tient, though gaming somewhat III
strength, seemed restless and moody.
She could not account for this, but she
forebore asking him the cause, deeming 1t
best not TO annoy aim by seeming 70 no
| tce il, when suddenly he said: Miss
| GREY. / have o great favor to ask of you"
"A favor, Mr.. Gregorvl Well, just con-
slider it granted" she said, brightly smiling.
| "Oh, but il is not so easy "a YOU think. y
he answered.; 1T REQUIRES q great deal OF
| will-power to accomplish it,"
Will-power! Well, | have plenty. OF
| that commodity, so / think l can safely
promise YOU"
| the doctors held consultation yesterday,
| and they say must have my leg ampu-
| tated, but | cannot make up nv mind TO
| have il done. Indeed. the more think OF
| il the more l am opposed to 1t. nave
| seen them hack off 80 many limbs IN the
army which .am confident could have
| been saved that cannot help fearing that
such is my case. Oh. do not let them do
| it! Try all YOU can to prevent this" And
| in his earnestness he caught Fer Danu anu
pressed 1t to his lips.
HE HAD HER WORD FOR 1T.
| "Mr. Gregory" said Nellie, much affect
| ed, "allay your fears, your leg shall not
come off. Pll sooner let them take OF my
| head"
There was something 30 inspiring in her
| resolute and hopeful answer that her pa
| tient was reassured, and very soon he fell
into long and refreshing sleep.
But Nellie was far from feeling so conn.,
| dent. She well knew what she had under
! taken. and the battle she would have TO
! fight. But she trusted that strength and
| wisdom might be given her at the time
most needed, and for these she mentally
| prayed.
| Most faithfully did she perform her task,
and she succeeded in her mission. When
| thew angily tainted her with her youth
| and inexperience and asked her If she
would assume the risk upon her own
shoulders she replied that no patient could
be compelled TO undergo an operation
against his will, and that she gladly would
accept the charge. And nooly ala she pat
| tie with every difficulty.
Calling in the aid of her good aunt, this
lady took him to her own home. and after
six weeks of patient nursing and watching
| they had the happiness of seeing him walk.
| ing. with the aid of cane, fully restored
to health and strength. One morning, as
| Nellie and her charge were sitting on the
veranda. she intent upon the socks she
| was knitting for the soldiers, he equally IN
tent on watching the beautiful little hands
which had so helpfully and tenderly minis
tered TO his comfort, suddenly he said
do you know l am going back TO VIZ
pinia next week We have chance o.
| getting through the lines, and. thanks (
your kind care. am now strong enough
to stand the journey"
| THE OLD STORY.
Nellie was totally unprepared for TINS
news. She had always thought OF their
| separation as something in the dim future
and her patient had gradually become g
essential TO her happiness that the shocH
was moro than she could bear. A deadly
pallor overspread her face. and she was I'M
able TO utter word.
Robert thought he read in her expires
sion what he had feared TO hope for, and !
sent a CLEAN OF JOY and happiness into III
anxious heart, for was she not To him
"The fairest sun among all maidsns,
And the fairest maiden under the sum-"
Tenderly he drew her to him and whis
nered loving words which gave to her
thrill of Joy and brought the truant roses
back to her cheek.
Reader. what need Of further depicting
this sceneY I'VE have oil been there" o.
should have been! And though an old
ola storyn it can never become thread
bare: but. like the beautiful kaleidoscope
II is always presenting new and lovely com
binations ever fascinating TO the oeholder
If nv readers doubt of what am sayine
7 can only tell them go and do hkewlse.