West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1901-09-19
DAPPLE'S
MISTRESS
A Story of the Civil War

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stop. Dapple. We must look to
this"
The scene was green stretch OF
summer lawn I'm front OF n fine old
Virginia farmhouse; the speaker n
slight, bright faced girl, gracefully
mounted on small, gray pony.
The sun was dropping out OF sight
behind the green hills, and far away
down the silver bend of the Accoceck
came the tramp OF retreating troops.
with nov and then the muffled roll OF
n drum or the shrill bray of n bugle.
Old Virginia, the queen mother OF the
sunny south. was overrun with soldiers
devastated by Gre 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 dangcr but Irene, his
only child, still braved the texrors OF
Invasion and remained at the farm
house with her invalid mother and n
rev ihitnlu OH servants.
Cantering across the grounds an hour
after the retreat OF the invading troops.
something attracted the young ladys
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 sillSen relns over the
pony's neck. size went tripping across
the grounds TO the spot where the
figure lay.
Ii was tall, soldieTly figure, clad In
army blue. with n pale. worn face and
an abundance oG 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 fellow" 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. lie 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 I'm front of Rich
mond. The compassion I'm her heart
stirred afresh. She smoothed back tho
tangled curls from the soldiers brow.
"My poor felloww she said. "Can /
do anything for your"
He struggled up to his elbow. with a
sti1ed groan.
MY horse threw me-" he explained,
"and they left me behind. think l
must have tainted from the pain. 1
thank you very much, but can't see
how you can help me. / 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.
II am In the enemy's country" sho
said, but II you VIII trust me / think 1
can help you, at least will see that
you are refreshed and made comfort.
able"
She put her hand 10 her bosom, and
drawing forth n tiny whistle she put 1t
to her lips and blew n sharp little blast.
Dapple pricked up his gray ears and
came cantering TO her side, followed
instantly by colored manservant.
you see" smiled Miss Irene, fash
Ing beaming glance on the soldier.
II hold my reserve forces at n
moments warning. Here, James. help
this gentleman to the horse and then
ride for Dr. Werter to dress bis limb"
James obeyed without n word. and by
the time the sun was fairly out Of sight
the Union soldier. refreshed and made
comfortable, lay asleep In tile best
chamber Of the pleasant old southern
mansion.
Meanwhile. on the long vernrda. Irene
kept watch, her slight. willowy figure
wrapped IN n scarlet mantle, her Aossy
raven trcss ilonting on the winds
BY and by. as the midnight stars
came out and gllttercd overhead. above
the dreamy flow Of the river, above the
murmur and rustic OF the forest leaves,
arose the clash and clang. thc roar and
tramp, Of advancing troops
Irene's dark face flushed aud her lus.
trous eyes dilated. She crossed the
veranda with n 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 60"
The soldier started 10 his feet and
made his way out. but ne rcclrd against
the doorpost, faint and gasplng FOR
breath.
II can't walkF he cried There's no
hope OF escapew
But Irene held out her 1.-THE. young
arm.
Eyes. there ls," she said chccrfuny.
Lean on me- I can help you down.
and you shall ride Dapple uc Knows
the river road, and you will oycrtake
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
"Dapple." the young girl called in her
clear, silver notes. "come hcrcw
In n breath Dapplc was at her side.
The girl stood and looked at the gen.
tic creature and then threw her arms
around his neck.
"Ob, Dapple, pretty Dapplc," she sob.