Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1891-08-07

lrene's dark face flushed, and her
lustrous eyes dilatcd. she crossed the
veranda with swift step and tapped
lightly at the door of her guests
chamber.
"fhey are coming" she whispered;
"they will take you prisoner if you
remain. You must 60"
The soldier started to his feet and
made his way out, but he rceled
against the door-post, faint and gasp
ing for breath.
81 can't walk" he cried; 'there's
no hope of escapc"
But Irene held out her 1.-the, young
arm.
"Yes, there is, she said, ,cheerfully.
"Lean OH me; can help You down,
and you shall ride Dapple. lie knows
the riycr-road, and You shall overlakc
your comrades by dawn. Hurryl
there is no time TO lose lo
The soldier leaned upon the brave,
helpful Young arm, and succeeded in
reaching the lawn below.
"Dapplcl" the young girl called, in
her clear, silver notes, "come hcrcw
In breath Dapplc was at her side.
The girl stood and looked at the gen.
lie creature, and then threw her arms
about his neck.
"Oh, Dapple, pretty Dapplc," she
sobbed, "it breaks my heart TO part
from you. Good-by, Dapplo"
In the next breath she stood erect,
her eyes flashing through mist of
tears.
"Come, SIR" she said, "allow me
to help you to mount. Dapple, take
this gentleman down the rivor-road,
and at your utmost speed"
Dapplc uttered a sagacious wlinny,
but the soldier hesitated.
"Why, don't you mount, sir?'
cried the girl, impatiently. "Will
you remain here and ruin both your
self and me?"
/ lie vaulted into the saddle without
a word.
"Away, Dapplc, like the windl"
cried Irene, and the little mountain
pony shot off like an arrow.
The war was over, and once moro
over the blasted and dcsolated homes
sof Virginia peace and freedom
:nigned
Captain Rutherford made it his busi-
ness to go back to the Potomac hills,
and to Colonel Moreton's m-house
the moment he was discharged from
service; but where the stately old
homestead stood he found nothing but
mass of ruins, and of Dapplc's mis-
tress not the slightest tidings could he
obtain.
Three years went by, and the ex-
captain found himself the wea thy
heir of an old uncle, and took himself
off on a tour amid the Swiss mountains.
Dapple went with him, as he always
did since that eyentful night when the
brave little pony bore him safely be-
yond reach of tho enemy. lie had
been tie captains inseparable COM
panion III all his wanderings. lie
was with him now, ambling over the
green Tyrol valleys and climbing the
steep Switzer sleeps.
One September afternoon, when the
captains tour was drawing TO close,
somewhere in the vicinity of Mont
Blanc, he fell in with travelling
party from New Orleans. 1t con-
sisted of Madame Lcnoir, her son and
two daughters, and young American
lady who was her companion and in
terpreter.
Captain Rutherford found madam a
charming woman, and while the young
persons of the party busted them
selves in spreading out a collation.
under the trees, he lay amid the long,
rustling grasses, listening 10 madam's
pretty feminine chatter, and in his
turn relating incidents and reminis-
cences of his own war experience for
her edification.
Among other things he told her of
Dapple, and of his midnight ride
among the blue hills of old Virginia.
Madam was intensly interested.
"And the gallant little pony carried
you sarely through" she cried, with
beaming eyes.
"Safely through, madam, with the
enemy at my very heels," replied the
captain.
"Miss Moreton," cried madam,
,<twin you have a,.s, lsiQdness io pass
the coffee? And pray, Captain Ruth
erford, whatever became of Dapple?o
The captain raised himself to sit
ting posture.
'"Dapple, Dapple," he called, "come
hercl"
From the forest shadows near at
hand small gray mountain pony
camo ambling forth. Madam Lenoir's
companion, advancing with the coffee
pot in her slim white hand, uttered a
sharp little cry, and wasted all the
coffee on the rustling leaves at her
feet
"Oh, Dapple, Dapplel" she cried.
Dapple heard the sweet voice, and
knew it in an instant. lie broke into