Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1901-09-19
DAPPLE'S
MISTRESS
A Story of the Civil War.

summer lawn In front or q nne OLD
Virginia farmhouse; the speaker a
slight, bright faced girl, gracefully
mounted on a small, gray pony.
The sun was dropping out Of sight
behind the green hills, and far away
down the silver bend of the Accoceek
came the tramp Of retreating troops,
with now and then the muffled roll Of
a drum or the shrill bray Of a bugle.
Old Virginia. tho queen mother Of the
sunny south, was overrun with soldiers,
devastated by fire and sword, shaken
to her very foundations by the thun-
ders Of the civil war.
Colonel Moreton was far away from
his pleasant home in the front ranks
Of death and danger; but Irene, his
only child, still braved the terrors Of
invasion and remained at the farm
house with her invalid mother and a
few faithful old servants.
Cantering across the grounds 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 her 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 tall, soldierly figure, clad in
army blue, with pale. worn face and
an abundance Of curling chestnut hair.
Colonel Moreton's daughter looked
down upon the senseless soldier with
all her woman's divine compassion
stirring within her bosom.
"Poor felloww she murmured, laying
her soft hand upon his brow. 81 wish
could help him."
The soft voice and the softer touch
called back the veterans wandering
senses. He opened his eyes and looked
up in the young lady's face. Great,
luminous, handsome eyes they were,
that somehow reminded Irene Of her
brother Toms eyes, and Tom was
down In the trenches in front of Rich
mond The compassion In her heart
stirred afresh. She smoothed back the
tangled curls from the soldiers brow.
my poor felloww she said. Can /
do anything for your
He struggled up to his elbow, with q
stifed groan.
my horse threw me-" he explained,
"and they left me behind. l think l
must have tainted from the pain. 1
thank you very much, but I can't see
how you can help me. 1 suppose 1 must
lie here till they take me prisoner, and
I'd almost as soon be shot"
Irene smiled-a smile that lighted her
dark, bright face into positive beauty.
IL am In the enemy's country" she
said, but II you Will trust me think I
can help you, at least | will see that
you are refreshed and made comfort
able"
She put her hand to her bosom, and
drawing forth tiny whistle she put 1t
to her lips and blew sharp little blast.
Dapple pricked up his gray ears and
came cantering to her side, followed
instantly by n colored manservant.
"You see" smiled Miss Irene, fash
Ing n beamihg glance on the soldier,
81 hold my reserve forces at n
moments warning. Here, James, help
this gentleman to the horse and then
ride for DR.. WerteF TO dress his limb"
james obeyed without a word, and by
the time the sun was fairly out OF sight
the Union soldier, refreshed and made
comfortable. lay asleep in the best
chamber Of the pleasant old southern
mansion.
Meanwhile, on the long yeranda. Irene
kept watch, her slight, willowy figure
wrapped In scarlet mantle, her dossy.
raven tresscs floating on the winds.
BY and by, as the midnight stars
came out and gllttered overhead. above
the dreamy 1ow 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-
veranda with swift step and tapped
lightly at the door of her guests cham
Der.
"They are coming" she whispered.
'They viii take you prisoner II you re-
main. You must go."'
The soldier started to his feet and
made his way out but he reeled against
lao faI
breath
81 can't walliw he cried. There's no
hope Of escape"
But Irene held out her 1.-THE. young
arm.
eyes. there is," she said cheerfully.
lean on me. can help you down,
and you shnll ride Dapple. He knows
the river road, and you will oyertake
your comrades by dawn. Hurry; there
is no time to lose"
The soldier leaned upon the brave,
helpful young arm and succeeded In
reaching the lawn below.
"Dapplc," the young girl called in her
clear, silver notes, come here"
In n hronth Dapplc was at her side.
The girl stood and looked at the gen
tie creature aud then threw her arms
around his neck.
"Oh, Dapplc. pretty Dapple." she sob
bed. "lt brcnks my heart to part from
you! Goodhy, Dapple"
In the next brcu n she stood erect.
her eyes 1Hshing through "A mist OF
tears
"Come. sir" she said, "nllow me to
help you 20 mount. Dapple. take this
gentleman down the river road and at
your utmost speed"
Dupplc uttered sagacous whlnny,
but the soldier hcsitated.
"Why don't you mount. sirf' cried
the girl impaticntly. "Will you remain
here and ruin both yourself and meT
He vaulted into the saddle without q
word.
away, Inpplc, like the windr cried
Irene, and the little mountain pony
shot off like nn arrow.
The war was over. aud once more