Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-12-31
DAPPLE'S MISTRESS.

/
Virginia farmhouse; the speaker, a
slight, brght-faccd girl, gracefully
mounted on IL small gray pony.
The sun was dropping out of sight
behind the green hills. and far away
down the silver bend Of the Accoceek
| came the tramp of retreating troops.
with now and then the muffled roll of
drum OF the shriIl blare OF a bugle.
Old Virginia the queen mother of
| the sunny south, was overrun with
| soldiers. devastated by fire and sword.
shaken to her very foundations by the
thunders of civil war
Col. MoretOn was far away from his
| pleasant home, in the front ranks of
death and danger; but Irene. his only
| child. still brsved the terrors OF inva-
sion and remained at the farmhouse
with her invalid mother and few
| faithful old servants.
Gathering across the grounds an
hour after the retreat of the invading
troops. something attracted the young
lady's notice-a PROSTATE figure under
| the shade of the great cottonwood
| tree.
Stop Dapple; we must look to
thiSr
Dappc stopped. and Miss Irene
leaped lightly from her saddle. and
| throwing the siIken reins over the
| pony's neck. went tripping across the
| grounds to the spot where the figure
| lay.
1t was tall soldierly figure. clad in
army blue. with II pale, worn face and
an abundance of curling, chestnut
| hair.
Col. Moreton's daughter looked down
upon the senseless soldier with all her
woman's divine compassion stirring
within her bosom.
Poor fellow" she murmured. laying
her soft hand upon his brow; Il wish
l could help him"
The soft voice and the softer touch
called back the veterans wandering
senses. He opened his eyes and looked
up in the young lady's face. Great
luminous, handsome eyes they were,
| that somehow reminded Irene of her
brother Toms eyes; and Tom was
| down in the trenches i'll front of Rich
mond. The compassion in her heart
! stirred afrcsh; she smoothed back the
tangled cnrls from the soldiers brow.
My poor fellow" she said, can |
| do anything for you?'
He struggled up TO his elbow with
stfed groan.
My horse threw me-" he explained.
land they left me behind. | think |
must have tainted from the pain. |
| thank you very much, but | can't see
how YOU can help me. l suppose l
must lie here till they take me pris-
- L.,
Irene smiled a smile that lighted
her dark, bright face into positive
beauty.
Il am in the enemy's country" she
| said but if You will trust ME |
think | can help you; at least, | will
see that YOU are refreshed and made
| comfortable"
She put her hand to her bosom, and
drawing forth u tiny whistle she put it
to her lips and blew Il sharp little
| blast.
Dapple pricked up his gray ears and
came cantering to her side. followed
instantly by coIored man-servant.
You see." smiled Miss Irene. flash
ing beaming glance on the soldier.
| Il hold my reserve forces at Il mo-
ment's warning. Here. james, help
| this gentleman to the house. and then
ride for Dr.. Werter 10 dress his limb"
James obeyed without word. and
| by the time the sun was fairly out OF
sight the union soldier refreshed and
made comfortable, lay asleep in the
best chamber of the pleasant old
! southern mansion.
Meanwhile. on the long veranda,
Irene kept watch, her slight. wilowy
figure wrapped in Il scarlet mantle.
her ilossy. raven tresses floating gu the
winds.
By and by. as the midnight stars
came out and glittered overhead, above
the dreamy flow of the river. above
the murmur and rustic of the forest
leaves. arose the clash and clang. the
roar and tramp of advancing troops.
Irene's dark face flushed and her
lustrouS eyes dilated. She crossed
the veranda with swift step and
tapped lightly at the door of her
guests chamber.
They are coming" she whispered;
they will take you prisoner if YOU
remain. You must GO
The soldier started to his feet and
made his way out. but he reeled
| against the door-post, faint and gasp
lug for breath.
Il can't walk!" he cried; 'there's no
hope of escaped
But Irene held out her 1.-THE young
| arm.
Yes. there is" she said, cheerfully.
Lean on me. | can help you down,
and you shall ride Dapple. He knows
the river road. and You shall overtake
your comrades by dawn. Hurry! there
is no time to iose!
the soldier leaned upon the brave.
helpful Young arm. AMI succeeded in
reaching the lawn below.
'Dapple!" the young girl called. in
her clear. silver notes, come here"
In Il breath Dapple was a. her side.
The girl stood and looked ut the gen
tie creature and then threw her arms
around his neck.
"Oh, Dapple, pretty Dapplc." she
sobbed, lit breaks my heart to part
with you. Good-by. Dapple!n
In the next breath she stood erect.
her eyes flashing through mist of
! tears.
Come. sirm she said. "allow me to
help you to mount. Dapple. take this
! gentleman down the river road, aud