The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1891-10-23
DAPPLE'S MISTRESS.

The scene was green stretch of sum-
mer lawn in front of a fine old Virginia
farmhouse; the speaker slight, bright
faced girl, gracefully mounted on a
small, gray pony.
The sun was dropping out of sight be-
hind 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 or
the shrill bray of 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.
Colonel Moreton was far away from
his pleasant home. in the front ranks of
death and danger; but Irene, his only
child, still braved the terrors of inva-
sion, and remained at the farmhouse
with her invalid mother and few faith
full 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 this"
Dapple stopped, and Miss Irene leaped
lightly from her saddle, and throwing
the silken reins over the pony's neck,
she went tripping across the grounds to
the spot where the figure lay.
1t was tall, soldierly figure, clad in
army blue, with pale, worn face, and
an abundance of curling, chestnut hair.
Colonel 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; 81 wish |
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 We're,
that somehow reminde Irene of her
brother Toms eyes; and Tom was down
in the trenches in front of Richmond.
The compassion in her heart stirred
afresh; she smoothed back the tangled
curls from the soldiers brow.
"My poor fellow" she said, "can | DO
anything for you?"
He struggled up to his elbow with
stifed groan.
"My horse threw me-" he explained,
and they left me behind. think l must
have tainted from the pain. thank yon
very much, but can't see how you can
help me. suppose must lie here till
they take me prisoner, and I'd almost as
soon be shot"
Irene smiled. a smile that lighted her
dark, bright face into positive beauty.
81 am in the enemy's country" she
said, "but if you will trust me think l
can help you; at least, will see that you
are refreshed and made comfortable"
She put her hand to her bosom, and
drawing forth tiny whistle she put it
to her lips and blew sharp little blast.
Dapple pricked up his gray ears and
came cantering to her side, followed in
stantly by a colored man servant.
"You see," smiled Miss Irene, flashing
beaming glance on the soldier, 81 hold
my reserve forces at a moments warn
ing. Here, James, help this gentleman
to the horse, and then ride for DR.. Werter
to 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 cham
Der of the pleasant old southern man.
sion.
Meanwhile, on the long veranda, Irene
kept watch. her slight, willowy figure
wrapped in a scarlet mantle, her fossy,
raven tresses floating on the winds.
BY and by, as the midnight stars came
out and glittered overhead, above the
dreamy flow of the river, above the MUIR
muir 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 lus-
trous eyes dilated. She crossed the ver
anda with swift step and tapped light
ly at the door Of her guests chamber.
"They are coming" she whispered;
"they will take you prisoner if you re-
main. You Must go"
The soldier started to his feet and
made his way out, but he reeled against
the doorpost, faint and gasping for
breath.
81 can't walkr' he cried; there's no
hope of escaper
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 will overtake
your comrades by dawn. Hurry! there
is no tire to loser
The soldier leaned upon the brave,
helpful young arm, and succeeded in
reaching the lawn below.
"Dapple" the young girl called. in her
clear silver notes, come herep'
In breath Dapple was at her side.
The girl stood and looked at the gentle
creature. and then threw her arms
around his neck.
ooh, Dapple, pretty Dapple," she
sobbed, lit breaks my heart to part from
you. Goodby, Dapplel"
In the next breath she stood erect, her
eyes flashing through mist of tears.