The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1891-10-23

gentleman down the river road, and at
your utmost speed"
Dapple uttered a sagacious whinny,
but the soldier hesitated.
"Why don't you mount, sir?" cried the
girl impatiently. Twill you remain here
and ruin both yourself and me?"
He vaulted into the saddle without a
word.
"Away, Dapple. like the windr' cried
Irene, and the little mountain pony shot
off like an arrow.
The war was over, and once more over
tia blasted and desolate homes of Vir-
ginia peace and freedom reigned.
Captain Rutherford made it his bust
ness to go back to the Potomac hills and
to Colonel Moreton's farmhouse the mo-
ment he was discharged from service;
but where the stately old homestead
stood he found nothing but mass Of
ruins, and of Dapple's mistress not the
slightest tidings could he obtain.
Three years went by, and the ex-cap-
tain found himself the wealthy heir Of
an old uncle and took himself off on q
tour amid the Swiss mountains. Dapple
went with him, as he always did since
that eventful night when the brave little
pony bore him safely beyond reach of
the enemy. He had been the captain 8
inseparable companion in all his wan
derings. He was with him now, am
bling over the green Tyrol valleys and
c1iYn hiDO tha Syui tzar ctaaps
One September afternoon, when the
captains tour was drawing to a close,
somewhere in the vicinity of Mount
Blanc he fell in with a travelling party
from New Orleans. 1t consisted Of
Madam Lenoir, her son and two daugh-
tiers and young American lady who
was her companion and interpreter.
Captain Rutherford found madam a
charming woman, and while the young
persons Of the party busted themselves in
spreading out Il collation. under the trees,
he lay amid the long, rustling grasses,
listening to madam's pretty feminine
chatter, and in his turn relating Incl
dents and "reminiscences Of his own war
experience for her edifcation.
Among other things he told her Of
Dapple. and of his midnight ride among
the blue hills of old Virginia.
Madam was intensely interested.
"And the gallant little pony carried
you safely through she cried, with
beaming eyes.
Safely through, madam, with the
enemy at my very heels replied the
captain.
"Miss Norton" cried madam. Twill
you have the kindness to pass the clarct
cup? And pray, Captain Rutherford,
whatever became of Dapple?"
The captain raised himself to sitting
posture.
"Dapple, Dapple," lie called; "come
herer'
From the forest shadows near at hand
a small gray mountain pony came am
bling forth. Madam Lenoir's companion,
advancing with the claret cup in her
slim white hand, uttered sharp little
cry and wasted all the luscious liquor
on the rustling leaves at her feet.
"Oh, Dapple, Dapple!" she cried.
Dapple heard the sweet voice, and
knew it in an instant. He broke into a
joyous neigh, and shot like an arrow. for
the young lady's side. She caught his
shaggy head and held it close to her
bosom, sobbing like the silly child she
was.
"Oh, Dapple, my pretty Dapple, have
found you at last?"
Madam Lenoir, compromising the de-
movement, looked OH with glistening
eyes.
Two weeks later the pleasant party
was breaking up. Madam and her party
were going back to France.
"And now, Irene," said the captain,
show is it to be? You will not listen to
my suit or accept my love? Then you
will be forced to part from Dapple again.
She is mine by the right of possession.
cannot give her up. Come, now, give
your final decision-are you willing to
part from me and Dapple forever"
Irene looked up with her old. glorify-
ing smile.
~ could bear to part from you," she
said wickedly, "but never again from
Dapple. If you take Dapple you will
have to take her mistress, too, Captain
Rutherford"
And the captain made no objection.
A month later saw Dapple's mistress his
wife.-Toronto Mail