Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-09-24
aiI1 fum bdrn yourselI ano mer

BE vaulted into the saddle without q
word
Away. Dapple. like the windI" cried
Irene and the little mountain pony shot
Of like an arrow.
The war was over, and once more over
the blasted and desolate homes Of Vir-
ginia peace and freedom reigned.
Captain Rutherford made it his busi-
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 a
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 captains
inseparable companion in all his wan
derings He was with him now. am
bling over the green Tyrol valleys and
climbing the Switzer sleeps.
One September afternoon, when the
captains tour was drawing to a close,
somewhere in the vicinity of Mount
Blanc he fell in with travelling party
from New Orleans 1t consisted of
Madam Lenoir, her son and two daugh-
ters and a young American lady who
was her companion and interpreter
Captain Rutherford found madam
charming woman and while the young
persons of the party busted themselves in
spreading out 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 Morton" cried madam, will
you have the kindness to pass the claret
cupP And pray Captain Rutherford,
whatever became of DappleP
The captain raised himself to a sitting
posture.
"Dapple, Dapple he called; come
here"
From the forest shadows near at hand
q small gray mountain pony came am
bling forth Madam Lenoir's companion,
advancing with the claret cup in her
slim white hand, uttered a sharp little
cry and wasted all the luscious liquor
on the rustling leaves at her feet
"Oh, Dapple, Dapplel" 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, comprehending the de-
nouement, looked on 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 be2 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.
81 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. e.-Toronto Mail.