The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1893-03-24
"Dapple r the young girl called, in

The girl stood and looked at the gentle
creature and then she threw her arms
around her neck.
"Oh, Dapple, pretty Dapple," she
sobbed, lit breaks my heart to part
with you. Good.by, 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
gentleman down the river road, and at
your utmost speed"
Dapple uttered a sagacious whinny,
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 a
word.
Away, Dapple, like the wind r. cried
shot of 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 busi-
ness TO go back to the Potomac hills
and to Colonel Moreton's farmhouse
the moment he was out of the service;
but whore the stately old homestead
stood he found nothing but mass OF
ruins, and Of Dapple's mistress not the
slightest tidings could be obtained.
Three years went by, and the ex-
captain found himself the wealthy heir
OF an old uncle. and took himself off on
tour amid the Swiss mountains Dap
pie 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 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 close,
somewhere in the vicinity Of Mont
Blanc, he fell in with a travelling party
from New Orleans. 1t consisted OF
Madam Lenoir, her son and two daugh-
ters, and young American lady, who
was her companion and interpreter.
Captain Rutherford found madam q
charming woman. and while the young
persons of the party busted themselves
in spreading out collation. under tho
trees, he lay amid the long, rustling
grasses, listening to madam's pretty
feminine chatter, and in his turn 70.
lated incidents and "reminiscences Of his
war experiences for her edifcation.
Among other things he told her OF Dap
pie 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 r she cried with
beaming eyes.
Safely through, madam, with the
enemy at my very heels" replied the
captain.
Miss Moreton," cried madam, will
you have the kindness to pass the claret
cup? And pray, Captain Rutherford,
what ever became of little Dapple q
The captain raised himself to a sitting
posture.
"Dapple Dapple !" he called, "come
to me! !"
From the forest shadows near at
hand small gray pony came ambling
forth. Madam Lenoirs companion, ad-
vancing with the claret cup in her slim
white hand, uttered sharp little cry,
wasting all the luscious liquor on the
rustling leaves at her feet.
"Oh, Dapple, Dapple r she cried.
Dapple beard the sweet voice and
knew it in an instant. He broke into q
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 ut last ?"
Madam Lenoir, comprehending the
denouement, 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 be? Will you not listen
to my suit or accept my life Then
you will be forced to part from Dapple
again. She is mine by the right of
possession. I can not give her up.
Come, now, give your final decision
are you willing to part from me and
Dapple forever p
Irene looked up with her old glorify-
ing smile.
II 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.