Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1901-09-09
DAPPLE'S
MISTRESS
A Story of the Civil War.

Ills.
The scene was a green stretch OF
8ummer lawn in front of a fine old
Virginia farmhouse; the speaker a
Hight, bright faced girl, gracefully
hounted on a small, gray pony.
The sun was dropping out of sight
behind the green hills, and far away
own the silver bend of the Accoceek
anne the tramp Of retreating troops,
18th now and then the muffled roll Of
drum or the shrill bray of n bugle.
Old Virginia, the queen mother of the
'unny south, was overrun with soldiers.
8evastated by fire and sword, shaken
b her very foundations by the thun-
ers of the civil war.
Colonel Moreton was far away from
Lis pleasant home in the front ranks
Ii death and danger; but Irene, his
My child, still braved the terrors Of
INVASION and remained at the farm
souse with her invalid mother and a
sew faithful old servants.
Cantering across the grounds an hour
tier the retreat Of the invading troops,
'Dmething attracted the young lady's
5ctice-a PROSTATE figure under the
.hade of the great cottonwood tree.
f'Stop, Dapple. We must look to
his"
Dapple stopped, and Miss Irene
Raped lightly from her saddle, and,
Growing the siIken reins over the
lony's neck, she went tripping across
be grounds to the spot where the
Agure lay.
1t was q tall. soldierly figure, clad IN
Hrmy blue. with Il pale, worn face and
b abundance Of curling chestnut hair.
Colonel Moreton's daughter looked
own upon the senseless soldier with
lll her woman's divine compassion
tirring within her bosom.
Poor fellow she murmured, laying
er soft hand upon his brow. Il wish
could help him.
The soft voice and the softer touch
allied back the veterans wandering
enses. He opened his eyes and looked
10 in the young lady's face. Great,
luminous, handsome eyes they were,
hat somehow reminded Irene of her
'rother Toms eyes, and Tom was
own in the trenches in front Of Rich
bond. The compassion in her heart
Hired afresh. She smoothed back the
hngled curls from the soldiers brow.
''My poor feIIowr' she said. Can
10 anything for you?"
He struggled up to his elbow, with a
tif1ed groan.
My horse threw me-" he explained,
and they left ne behind. l think
bust have tainted from the pain. l
hank you very much, but 1 can't see
ow you can help me. I suppose | must
here till they take me prisoner, and
n d almost as soon be shot"
Irene smiled-a smile that lighted her
ark, bright face into positive beauty.
81 am in the enemy's country" she
aid, but if you win trust me think I
an help you, at least I will see that
on are refreshed and made comfort
BILE"
rawing forth a tiny whistle she put it
b her lips and blew a sharp little blast.
Dapple pricked up his gray ears and
anne cantering to her side, followed
Instantly by a colored manservant.
"You see," smiled Miss Irene, fash
hg a beaming glance on the soldier,
hold my reserve forces at a
loment's warning. Here, James, help
his gentleman to the horse and then
40 TO hi y
James obeSed without word, and by
be time the sun was fairly out of sight
he Union soldier, refreshed and made
bmfortablc. lay asleep in the best
hamber of the pleasant old southern
Aansion.
Meanwhile, on the long veranda, Irene
ept watch, her slight, willowy figure
trapped in a scarlet mantle, her fossy,
hven tresses floating on the winds.
By and by, as the midnight stars
anne out and glittered overhead, above
be dreamy flow of the river, above the
burmur and rustic OF the forest leaves.
rose the Clash and clang. the roar and
ramp, of advancing troops.
Irene's dark face flushed and her lus-
tous eyes dilated. She crossed the
eranda with a swift step and tapped
ghtly at the door Of her guests cham
er.
''They are coming" she whispered.
They will take you prisoner if you re-
balm. You must CO."
The soldier started to his feet and
hade his way out. but he reeled against
be doorpQst, faint and gasping for
#Feath.
'T can't walkv' he cried. There's no
HPpe Of escaper'
But Irene held out her 1.-THE, young
Mfm.
Eyes, there is" she said cheerfully.
Lean on me. / can help you down,
nd you shall ride Dapple. He knows
pc river road, and you will overtake