The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-07-22
DAPPLE'C MISTRESS.

girl, gracefully mounted on small gray
pony.
The sun was dropping out of sight be-
hind the green hills, and far away down the
river bend OF the Accoceek cams the
tramp Of retreating troops, with now and
then the mufied roll of a drum or the shrill
bray of bugle.
OLD Virginia, the queen mother Of the
sunny South, was oveTrun with soldiers,
devastated with fire and sword. shaken to
her very foundations by the thundcrs Of
civil war.
Colonel MoTeton was far away from his
pleasant home in the front ranks of death
and danger; but Irene, his only daughter,
braved the horrors Of invasion and re-
NAMED at the farmhouse with her invalid
mother and few faithful servants.
Gathering across the ground an hour
after the retreat Of the invading troops
something attracted the young lady's notice
"a prostrate 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, ana throwing the
silken reins over the pony's neck she went
tripping across the Ct unds TO the spot
where the figure lay. Ii was tall. sOldierly
figure, clad in army blue, with a pale, worn
face and an abundance Of curling chestnut
hair She looked down upon the senseless
soldier with all her wOman's divine COM
passion stirring within her bosom.
Poor fellow" she murmured, laying her
soft hand upon his brow; Il 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
eyes they were. that somewhat reminded
Irene of her brother Toms eyes, aud Tom
was down in tie trenches in front Of Rich
mond. The compassion in her heart stirred
afresh; she smoOthrd back the tangled
curs from the soldiers blow.
MY poor fellow" said she. "can l do
anything for yuu?"
lie struggled up to his elbow with
stifi-d grOan.
MY horse threw me-" he exclaimed,
land they left me behind. | think | must
have tainted from the pain. / thank you
very much. but l can't see how you can
help me. l suppose | must lie here till
they take me- prisoner, and l would almost
as soon be shot"
Irene smiled. smile that lighted her
dark, bright face into positive beauty.
Il am in the enemv's country" she said
''but II you will trust me / think | can help
you; at least, I will see that you are re-
freshed and made comfortable"
She put her hand to her bosom and draw
ing forth tiny whistle she put il 10 her lips
and blew a sharp blast. Dapple picked up
his gray ears and came canteTing to her
side. followed instantly by colOTed man
servant.
You see," smiled Miss Irene. flashing a
beaming glance on the soldier, Il hold MY
reserve force at a moments warning.
Here, James, help this gentleman TO the
house and ride for DR.. WegLer"
James ObeVe0 without a word end nv ha
time the sun Was fairly out of sight the
Union soldier, refreshed and made COM
Portable, lay asleep In the best chamber of
the pleasant old Southern mansion.
Meanwhile on the long veranda Irene kept
watch, her slight. willowy form wrapped
in a scarlet mantel her treSSes floating on
the wind. BY and by as the midnight stars
came out aud glitered overhead. above the
dreamy flow II the river, above the murmur
and rustic # the forest leaves arose tina
clash and clang, the roar and tramp of ad-
Yanciug troops. Irene's dark face flushed
and her lustrous eyes dilated. She crossed
the veranda with swift step and tapped
lightly at the door of her guests room.
They are coming" she whispered,
they viii take you prisoner if you remain.
You must 60"
The soldier started to his feet and made
his way out, but he reeled against the door.
faint and gresping for breath.
Il can't walk :" he cried. There's no
IDpC u tsGdpE.
But Irene held out her 1.-the young arm.
Yes, there is" she said cheerfulIv.
Lean on me. l can help you down. and
you shall ride Dapple. He knows the river
road, and you will Overtake your comrades
b. dawn. Hurryl There is no time to
lose"
The soldier leaned upon the brave. help
full young arm, and succeeded in reaching
the lawn below.
"Dapple!" the young girl called, in her
clear, silver notes. come here"
In breath Dapple was at her side. The
girl stood and looked at the gentle creature
and then she threw her arms around her
neck.
"Oh. Dapple. pretty Dapple," she sobbed.
1T breaks my, heart TO part with you.
Good-by, Dapple."
In the next breath she stood erect. her
eyes flashing through midst of tears.
Come, slI, she said, ALLOW me TO helm
you mount Dapple. take this gentleman
down The river road and at your utmost
speed"
the soldier hesitated.
girl impatiently. "WH you remain here
and ruin both yourself and me?"
he vaulted into the saddle without
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 peace
and freedom reigned over the blasted ana
desolate homes of Virginia.
Captain Rutherford made IL his busipsss
70 90 back to the Potomac hills and to
Colonel Moreton's farmhouse the moment
he was out OF the service; but where the
stately old homestead stood he found moth
Ing but mass Of ruins, and of Dapple's
mistress not the slightest tidings could be
obtained. 40
Three years went by, and the ex-captain
lound himself the wealthy heir of an old
uncle, and took himself off on a tour amid
the Swiss mountains. Dapple went with
nun as ne always did. since that eYentful
night when the brave little pony bore him
safely beyond reach OF the enemy. He had
oeen the captains inseparable companion
In ali MS wanderlngs. He was with him
now, am6iIng over the green Tyrol valleys
and climbing the SwitZer sleeps
One September afternoon, when the can
tain tour was drawn TO a close, somewhere
In the vicinity of Mont Blanc, he fell in
with travelling party from New ORLEANS
III consisted of Nine Lenoir. her SON and
TWO oaughters ana young American lady.
10 was ner com panIon and interpreter
captain rutherford found madam n
charming woman, and while the young per-
sons OF the party busted themselves In
spreading out collation. under the trees he
lay amld TIE long, rustliog grasses listening
~ tnsua'l pretty feminine chatter, and in
DIS turn related incidents and "Reminiscences
OIL his war experience for her edilcation,
Among other things he told her of DannIe
and OF bis midnight ride among the blue
bills OF old Virginia. Madam was intensely
interested.
ANA the gallant little pony carried you
safely through?" she cried, with beaming
eyes. ~ ~ :
Safely through, madam. with the enemy
~ my very heels, replied the captain.
miss MoretOn." cried madam ssu,i1 No.,