Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1892-06-22

sobbed, lit breaks my heart to part
from you. Goodby, Dapple!'
In the next breath she stood
erect, her eyes flashing through a
mist of tears.
"Come, sir" she said, "allow me
to help you to mount. Dapple, take
this gentleman down the river road,
and at your utmost speed"
Dapple uttered sagacious whin-
ny, but the soldier hesitated.
why don't you mount, sir?'
cried the girl impatiently. Twill
you remain here and ruin both your
self and me?"
He vaulted into the saddle with
out 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
over the blasted and desolate homes
of Virginia peace and freedom
reigned.
Captain Rutherford made it his
business to go back to the Potomac
hills and to Colonel Moreton's
farmhouse the moment he was dis
charged 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-
captain found himself the wealthy
heir of an old uncle and took HIM
self off OH a tour amid the Swiss
mountains. Dapple went with him.
as he always did since that event.
full night when the brave little pony
bore him safely beyond the reach of
the enemy. He had been the cap
tain's inseparable companion in all
his wanderings. He was with him
now, ambling 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
Mount Blanc he fell in with a
travelling party from New Orleans.
1t consisted of Madam Lenoir, her
son and two daughters and young
American lady who was her COM
panion and interpreter.
Captain Rutherford found ma
dam charming woman, and while
the young persons of the party
busted themselves in spreading out
a collation. under the trees, he lay
amid the long, rustling grasses,
listening to madame's pretty FEM
mime chatter, and in his turn relat-
ing incidents and "reminiscences Of
his own war experience for her edi-
fication.
Among other things he told her
of Dapple, and of his midnight ride
among the blue hills of old Vir-
ginia.
Madam was intensely interested.
"And the gallant little pony car
tied you safely through" she cried
with beaming eyes.
Safely through, madam, with
the enemy at my very heel" replied
the captain.
miss Norton" cried madam,
twill 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 small gray pony came am
bling forth. Madam Lenoir's com.
panion advancing with the claret
cup in her slim white hand, uttered
sharp little cry and wasted all the
luscious liquor on the rustling leaves
at her feet.
"Oh, Dapple, Dapplew she cried.
Dapple heard the sweet voice, and
knew it i'll an instant. He broke
into 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, sobbinp
: like the silly child she was.
"Oh, Dapple, my pretty Dapple
have found you at lastp"
Madam Lenoir, comprehending
the denouement, looked on with