The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1892-08-19
nAPPIE,s MISTRESS.

laced girl, gracefully mounted on nClle
gray pony.
The sun was dropping out of sight be-
hind the green hills, and far away down
the river 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 with 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
daughter, braved the terrors of invasion
and remained at the farm house with
her invalid mother and a few faithful
servants.
Gathering across the ground 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 the 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 a
tall, soldierly figure, clad in army blue,
with pale, worn face and an abundance
of curling, chestnut hair. She 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; II wish l
could help him."
The soft voice and the softer touch
senses. He opened his eyes and looked
up in the young lady's face. Great, lu-
minous, handsome eyes they were, that
somewhat reminded Irene of her brother
Toms 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 a
stifed groan.
"My horse threw me-" he exclaimed,
'and they left me behind think l
must have tainted from the pain. l
thank you very much, but l can't see
how you can help me. l suppose l must
lie here until they take me prisoner, and
would almost as soon be shot "
Irene smiled smile that lighted her
dark, bright face into positive beauty.
81 am in the enemys country" she
said, "but if you will trust me l think
you can help me; at least will see that
you are refreshed and made cOmfOrta-
ble."
She put her hand to her bosom and,
drawing forth a tiny whistle, she put it
to her lips and blew a sharp blast. Dap
pie pricked up his gray ears and came
cantering to her side, followed instantly
by colored man servant.
"You see," smiled Irene, flashing a
beaming glance on the soldier, 81 hold
my reserve force at moments warning.
Here, James, help this gentleman to the
house and 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 form
wrapped in scarlet mantle, her raven
tresses floating on the wind. By-and-by,
as the midnight stars came out and gilt
tered overhead, above the dreamy flow of
the river, above the murmur 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 lustrous eyes dilated. She crossed
the veranda with a swift step and tapped
lightly at the door of her guests room.
They are coming" she whispered"
|'they will take you prisoner if you re-
main. You must 60"
The soldier Startpd tO his feet and
made his way out, but he reeled against
the door, faint and gasping for breath.
II can't waikiki he cried. There's
no hope of escapen'
But Irene held out her 1.-THE young
arm.
eyes, there is" she said cheerfully.
Lean on me. l 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 time to loose.'
The soldier leaned upon the brave,
young arm, and succeeded in reaching
the lawn below.
''Dapplen' 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 his neck.
sob, Dapple, pretty Dapple," she
sobbed, ''it breaks my heart to part with
you. Goodbye Dapple."
In the next breath she stood erect, her
eyes flashing through mist of tears.
Come, SIR" she said, "allow me to
help you mount. Dapple, take this gem
tleman down the river road, and at your
utmost speed"
Dapple uttered a sagacious winnie.
but the soldier hesitated.
''Why don't you mount, sir?'' cried
the girl impatiently. "Will you remain
here and ruin both yourself and me?"
He vaulted into the saddle without
word.
away, Dapple, like the wind!" 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 and desolate homes of Virginia.
Captain Rutherford made it his business
to go back again to the Potomac
hills and to Col. Nor on's farmhouse the |
he was out of the service; but |
where the stately old homestead stood he |
found nothing but a mass of ruins, and |
of Dapple's mistress not the slightest |
hdiDgs could be obtained.
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 |
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