St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-05-19
A DEED OF LOVE.
BY EDWARD N. WOOD.

NV mother and l were living in COM
Portable house on Washington street
when this disaster was visited on our
loved city, and our house was at once
filled with officers of the Federal army,
among them dashing. handsome young
soldier of perhaps twenty-five, whose
genial manners and conversational
powers soon won me as friend, even
though he was an enemy to our cause.
His name was Reginald Mitchell, and
his stay at our house was the one bright
ray had during the holding of the city
by Sherman.
He was with US only few days, and
was then sent to the front pursuing our
army.
We did not leave the city for two
months after the Federals took posses
sion of it, and it was then hard strug-
gle to get my mother to forsake the
beautiful home we were so attached to,
but the order was irrevocable, and with
the rest of the populace. we departed.
We went to a sister of my mothers.
who lived on the route to Augusta, and
took ND our abode with her. Her family
at home consisted of herself and
young daughter of, perhaps, eighteen,
but perfect woman. beautiful as an
angel and daring as the most fearless
Her name was Nettie Price.
They met US with open arms and
placed everything they had at our dis
pOSal.
ooh. Jewell" cried Nettie, with her
arms about my neck, 81 am so glad you
have come; I have been so lonely that
am almost wild"
81 should think So" smiled her
mother, with teasing glance; land
don't think your handsome soldier
would take 1t as compliment to hear
you speak so lightly about his powers to
please; for my part. think you have
been having quite gay time"
"And you have caught beau ?'
cried, as l seized her soft hands IN
mine, and looked down into the depths
| of her dark liquid eyes, and wondered
| how any man could look into them with
| out being caDtiyated.
EYES," she answered, with charming
| frankneSS; Il have"
You are ahead of me-" said, ''for
this cruel war has killed my chances of
matrimony."
When | had drawn Nettie from the
rest began pouring out questions about
| her lover.
''He will be here tonight" was all
| the reply [ got from her, land you can
| Judge better for yourself" But learned
| that she had not known him great
| while, but that in the short acquaintance
| she had given her heart to him and re-
eeiyed his in return. | waited impa-
tientiy for night to come, for l had an
| unaccountable desire to see him and
| form for myself an opinion.
We were seated in the parlor when he
came, and, as a light tap sounded on the
front door, l felt my heart give strange
throb.
Nettie fastened to answer the call,
and heard her speak of a cousin from
Atlanta, by which l knew she meant
he.
They entered the room slowly, Nettie
in advance, her pretty face allght with
ioy and pleasure. Her lover seemed
rather tardy about coming to the front,
but as my cousin spoke my name, and
stepped to one side for me to see him, a
cry escaped my lips, for in the person OF
Nettie's lover | recognized Reginald
Mitchell, the gay Yankee soldier who
had been such source of amusement
to me in Atlanta.
He knew me, and as he gaZed at my
face a deathly look oYerSpread his cOun-
tenance.
Neither spoke for several moments,
when Nettie broke the silence by ex-
claiming:
why, Jewell, do you know him?'
81 do,' | repliad, and, turning to him,
asked, land pray tell me, Mr..
Mitchell, when you donned the gray fol
the blueI''
Nettie gave cry of terror and came
close to me. while her great, appealing
eyes looked into mine.
"Oh, JEWELL" she cried, ''what do you
mean?'
Il mean," was my reply, shat he is
a spy"
A white pallor overspread her face;
then she slowly turned to him, and in a
stern, cold voice, asked:
rs this true?'
He bowed his handsome head, and
answered:
ut is not"
''Then why are you inside the Con-
federate lines?" l asked.
$40 see her." he answered, ''for
love her we'll enough to brave any dan.
ger; but" and he threw his head UP
with proud gesture, although have
been within these lines a dozen tunes
and seen the strength of your army
vet | have not >breathed one word OF
YOUR weakness or StrOnghOldS to my
commander. My business is to visit the
lady love. and when that is completed
go my way"
Despite my suspicious, | could moi
but help admire and believe him; but il
such times as we were passing through
nothing could be too rigid.
back and forth as if undecided which
way to turn, but as Reginald finished
she threw herself into his arms anC
sobbed:
sf believe you. Reginald; but yoU
must come no more, for you might bt
suspected, and then-my God, l dare
not think of it! Now go, darling, anC
when this struggle is ended l trust {
gracious Providence will reunite u.s."
He moved to 90, but before he haC
taken half dozen steps there was {
sudden cOmmotiOn on the outside and
heard voice say:
This is the house he entered"
Cali right. boys; guard the outside
we'll, while enter and search the in
terror"
There came loud clamor at the doc
: that almost shook the house, and deeI
. voice cried:
"Open. quick"
, Reginald stood like carved figure
and although he paled slightly there
was no sign of fear in his handsome
face.
Come this way" cried Nettie, catch
, ing him by the arm, Il must hide you
Jewell, you go to the door and keel
them as long as you can."
| watched the desperate girl as sh'
dragged him out of the room, and won
dered where she would place our necks
!. but did as she commanded and wen
to the door.
1t was we'll that l opened it when
lid, for the fastenIngs would not have
stood the strokes much longer.
opened it, and looked out. In thu
doorway stood two men, in Confederate
uniform. and to me one of them said
courteously:
MADAM, we regret very much dis
turbing you, but we will be compelled
. to search your house"
For what?'' l asked, in as sleepy
tone as possible, although l was neye
so thoroughly awake before.
For a Spv," he replied. she wa