Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1891-10-01
DAPPLES MISTRESS.

The scene was green stretch Of sun.
mer lawn In front Of a fine old Virginia
farmhouse. the speaker n slight. bright
faced girl gracefully mounted on q
small. gray pony
The sun was dropping ont Of sight be-
hind the green hills, aud far away down
the silver bond Of the Aococcek came
the tramp Of retrcatins troops, with now
aud then the mufiled roll Of drum or
tho shrill bray Of bugle
Old Virginia. the queen mother " tho
sunny south, was overrun with soldiers,
devastated by fro and sword, shaken TO
her very foundations by the thunders Of
civil war
Colonel Moreton was far away from
his pleasant home. Ia the front ranks Of
death and danger, but Irene, his only
child, still braycd the tcrror OF inva.
sion. and remained nj the farmhouse
with her invalid mother and n few faith.
ful old servants
Gathering aero. tho grounds an hour
after tho 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 thlsr
Dapple stopped. aud Miss Irene leaped
lightly FROM her saddle, and throwing
tho silken rcins over the pony'a neck
she went tripping ncross tho grounds TO
the spot where the figure lay
IL was u tall, soldierly figure. clad in
army blue. with pale. worn face, aud
IN abundance Of curling. chestnut hair
Colonel Moreton's daughter looked
down upon the scnselesa soldier with all
her woman's divine compassion stirring
within her bosom.
Poor fellow she murmurcd, laying
her soft hand upon his brow; II wish |
could holp him.
The soft voice and tho softer touch
fnlled back tho veterans wandering
icnsea lie opened his eyes md looked
up In the young lsdy's face Great
luminous handsome eyes they were
that somehow reminded Irene Of her
brother Toms eyes. and Tom was down
in the trenches In front Of Richmond.
The compassion In her heart stirred
nfrcsh; tho smoothed back tho tangled
curln from the soldiers brow.
my poor fellow" hho said. "can do
anything tor your
Ho struggled up TO his elbow with n
ttified groan.
my horse threw me,' no explained.
and they left me behind. Think must
have tainted from tho pain. thank you
very much. but ! can't zee how you can
help me suppose must Ito hero till
they take me prisoner, and I'd almost "a
coon DO shot
lrcno smiled. a smile that lighted her
dark, bright face into positive beauty.
IL ain In tho enelny's country" Bho
said, but n you will trust me think |
can help you; at least. will seo that you
are roiIeAhed and made comfortable"
She put her hand TO her bosom. and
drawing forth tiny whistle she put 1t
10 her lips and blew sharp little blast.
papplc pricked up his gray ears and
came cantering TO her side. followed in
stantly by n colorcd man servant
"You see," smiled Miss Irene. flashing
beaning glance on tho soldier, ~ hold
my reserve forces Mt moments warn.
Ing Here. JamcA, help this gentleman
to the horse, and thon ride for DR.. Wertor
to dress his limb
James obeyed without n word, and by
the time the sun was fairly out Of sight
the Union soldier, refreshed and made
comfortable, lay asleep In the best cham
Der Of the pleasant old southern man
ton.
Meanwhile, on the iorg vcrandh, Irene
kept watch. her slight, willowy Rgur,
wrapped in scarlet mantle, her flossy
raven tresSss floating on the winda
By and by, Us the midnight stars can't
out anu glitterd overhead, above thu
dreamy flow Of the river, above tho muir
muir aud rustic Of the forest leaves, aros'
the clash aud olang, the roar aud tram
Of advancing troopA
lrene's dark face flushed and her lus
trous eyes dilated. She crossed the yer
anda with swift step and tapped light
ly a, tho door OF her guests chamber.
"Thoy are coming" she whispered
they will take you prisoner II you 70
main. You must go.-
The soldier started to his feet ant
made his way out, but he rceled agains
the doorpost, faint and gasping 70
breath.
II can't walk" no cried "there's N
hope Of oacapew
But Irene held ont her 1.-THE, younl
arm
"Yes, theN g." she said eheerfully
Lean on me can help you down
aud you shall ride Dapplo, lie know
the river road, and you win oyertak
Your comrades by dawn. HuTryi Their
Ia no tine 20 losnl"
Tho soldier leaned upon the brave
helpful young arm, and succeeded u
reaching the lawn below,
'Dapple" the young girl called. In he
clear silver notes, come hercp
In breath Dapple was at her side
The girl stood md looked AZ the GENT
creature, and then throw her arm
around hla neck.
"Oh, psYple, pretty napple," IN
sobbed, 'it breaks my heart ~ part irol
you. cooaby. papplsl"