The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1901-10-17

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 lus-
trous eyes dilated She crossed the
yeranda with a swift step and tapped
lightly at the door of her guests cham
Der.
"They are coming" she whispered
"They will take you prisoner If you re-
main You must go.
The soldier started to his feet and
made his way out. but he reeled against
the doorpost. faint and gasping for
breath
81 can't walk" he cried. There's nc
hope of escapew
But Irene held out her 1.-THE, young
arm.
Eyes. there is,'' she said cheerfully
"Lean on me. can help you down
and you shall ride Dapple. EIe knows
the river road. and you $ill overtake
sour comrades by dawn. Hurry; there
is no time % lose!."
The soldier leaned upon the brave
helpful young arm and succeeded in
reaching the lawn below.
"Dapple," the young girl called in hel
clear, silver notes, "come herev
In a breath Dapple was at her side
The girl stood and looked at the gen.
tie creature and then threw her arms
around his neck.
"Oh. Dapple, pretty Dapple," she sob
bed, ut breaks my heart to part from
you! Goodby, Dapplew
In the next breath she stood erect
her eyes flashing through a mist OF
tears.
"Come, SIR" she said, "allow me tc
help you to mount. Dapple, take this
gentleman down the river road and al
your utmost speed
Dapple uttered sagacious whinny
but the soldier hesitated.
"Why don't you mount, STRIP cried
the girl impatiently. Twill you remain
here and ruin both yourself and meY'
He vaulted into the saddle without a
word.
"Away, Dapple, like the windv' 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 bust
ness to go back to the Potomac hills
and to Colonel Moreton's farmhouse
the moment he was discharged from
service. But where the stately old
homestead stood he found nothing but
a mass Of ruins, and of Dapple's mis-
tress not the slightest tidings could he
obtain.
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. Dap
pie went with him, as he always did
since that eventful night when the
brave little pony bore him safely be-
yond 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 val
leys and climbing the Switzer sleeps.
One September afternoon, when the
captains tour was drawing to a 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-
tiers 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 the
trees he lay amid the long, rustling
grasses listening to madam's pretty
feminine chatter and in his turn relat-
ing incidents and "reminiscences of his
own war experience for her edifica-
ton.
Among other things he told her of
Dapple 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" she cried, with
beaming eyes.
"Safely through, madam, with the
enemy at my very heels" replied the
captain.
Miss Moreton," cried madam, twill
you have the kindness to pass the
claret cup? And. pray, Captain Ruther-
ford, whatever became of Dapple"-
The captain raised himself to a sit
ting posture.
"Dapple. Dapple," he called. "Come
here!'
From the forest shadows near at
hand small gray mountain pony
came ambling forth. Madam Lenoir's
companion, advancing with the claret
cup in her slim white hand, uttered a
sharp little cry and wasted all the
luscious liquor on the rust1ing leaves
at her feet.
ooh, Dapple, Dapple" she cried.
Dapple heard the sweet voice and
knew it in an instant. He broke into
a 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
I found you at lastY
Madam Lenoir, comprehending the
denouement. looked on with glistening
eyes.
Two weeks later the DleaSant marty