The Pascagoula democrat-star., 1892-08-19

sNh'Ss AAO'EVt AoNSA hA~NoNo
floating on the winds.
BY and by, as The midnight stars
came on, and gliltered overhead,
above The murmur and rustic of
the forest leaves, arose the clash
clang, the roar and tramp of ad.
vancing troops.
Irene's dark face flushed and
her lusirous eyes dllaied. She
crossed the veranda with a swift
step and tapped lightly at the door
Of her guests chamber.
"They are coming" she whisper.
ed "ihey will take you prisoner
if you remain. You must CO."
The soldier started 10 his feet
and made his way out, but he reel
ed against the doorpost, faint and
gasplng for breath.
IL can't walk!" lie cred; 'there
is no hope of escape!
But Irene held out her 1.-THE,
young arm.
"Yes, there is," she said cheer.
fully. Lean on me. can help
you down, and you shall ride Dap.
pie. He knows the river road.
and you will overiake your com
rades by dawn Hurry! there is
no time to loser
The soldier leaned on the brave,
helpful young arm, and succeeded
in reaching the lawn below.
''Dapple !" The young girl called,
in her clear, silver notes, ''come
herev'
In breath Dapple was at her
side. The girl stood and looked at
the gentle creature, and then
threw her arms around his neck.
"Ob, Dapple, pretty Dapple,"
she sobbed, "it breaks my heart to
part from you. Goodbye, Dapple." :"
In the next breath she stood
erect, her eyes flashing through IA
mist of tears.
"Come, sir" she said, allow me
to help You mount. Dapple, take
this gentleman down the river roa d
and at your utmost speed"
Dapple uttered a sagacious
whinny, but the soldier hesitated.
"Why don't you mount, sir ?"
cried the girl impa'ienlly. "Will
you remain here and ruin both
yourself and me ~
He vaulied into the saddle with
out a word.
Away, Dapple, like the wind II
cried Irene, and the little noun
tam pony sho: off like an arrow
The war was over, and once
more over the blasted and desolaie e
homes of Virginia peace and free.
dom reigned.
Captain Rutherford made il his
business to 60 back to the Potom-
ac hills and to Colonel Morelon'S
farmhouse the moment he was dis
charged from service but where
the old farmhouse stood he found
nothing but a mass of ruins, and oil
Dapple's mistress not the slightest
tidings could lie obtain.
Three years went by, and the
ey. y.cantain founj himsnlf the
wealthy heir of an old uncle and
took himself off on Tour amid The
Swiss mountains. Dapple went
with him as he always did since
that eventlul night when the brave
little pony bore him safely beyond
the reach of the enemy. lie had
been the captains inseperable
companion in all his wanderings
He was with him now ambllng ov
er the green TyroI valleys and
climbing the Switzer sleeps.
One September afternoon, when
the captains tour was drawing te
a close, somewhere in the vicinity
Of Mount Blanc he fell in with d
travelling party from New Orleans
1t consisted of Madam Lenoir, hel
son and two daughters and a youns
American lady who was her com
panion and interpreter.
Captain Rutherford found mad
am a charming woman, and while
the young persons of ihe party
busted themselves in spreading ouI
a collation. under the trees, he Ia,
amid the long. ruslling grasses
listening to madame's pretty fem
inine chatter, and in his turn re
lated incidents and "reminiscences
of his own experiences tor her ed
ilication.
Among other things he told hel
of Dapple, and Of his midnigh
ride among the blue hills Of ole
Virginia.
Madam was intensely interested
Sand the gallant little pony Car
ried you safely through 7" she criet
with beaming eyes.
"SaCely through, madam, will
the enemy at my very heel" re
Piled the captain.
miss Morelon," cried madam
twill you have tho kindness I,
pass the claret cupl And pray
Captain Rutherford, whatever be
came Of Dapple 7"
The captain raised himself 10
sitting posture.
"Dapple, Dapple," he called
come here |"
| From the forest shadows near a
hand a small gray pony came am
bling forth. Madam Lenolr'
companion advancing with tht
claret cup in her slim white hand
uttered sharp little cry and vast