The Somerset reporter., 1901-09-19

sle creature and then threw her arms
around bis neck.
"Oh, Dapple, pretty Dapple," she sob
bed, at breaks my heart to part from
you! Goodby, Dappler'
In the next breath she stood erect,
her eyes flashing through a mist OF
tears.
Come. sir" she said, "allow me to
help you to mount. Dapple, take this
gentleman down the river road and at
your utmost speed"
Dapple uttered sagacious whinny,
but the soldier hesitated
"Why don't you mount. slr?' cried
the girl impatiently. "Will you remain
here and ruin both yourself and meT
He vaulted into the saddle without a
word.
Away, Dapple, like the windm cried
Irene, and the little mountain pony
shot of 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 1t his bust
ness to go back to the Potomac hills
and to Colonel Moreton's farmhouse
the moment be was discharged from
service But where the stately old
homestead stood he found nothing but
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
i legs and climbing the Switzer sleeps.
! One September afternoon, when the
captains tour was drawing to q close,
somewhere In the vicinity OF Mont
/ Blanc he fell In with travelling party
+ from New Orleans. It consisted Of
! Madam Lenoir. her son and two daugh-
tiers and a 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 a 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 edif1ca-
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 throughT 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 Ruther-
ford. whatever became of Dapple?"
The captain raised himself to n sit
ting posture.
"Dapple, Dapple," he called. Come
hereH
From the forest shadows near at
hand a small gray mountain pony
came ambling forth. Madam Lenolr'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 rustling leaves
at her feet
"Oh. Dapple, Dapple!" she cried.
Dapple heard the sweet voice and
knew II In an instant. He broke into
a joyous neigh and shot like an arrow
for the young ladys side. She caught
his shaggy eaad and held 1t close to
her bosom. sobbing like the silly child
she was.
"Oh, Dapple, my pretty Dapple, have
l found you at lastf"
Madam Lenoir, comprehending the
denouement. looked on with gllstening
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.
chow is 1t to be? You will not listen
to my suit or accept my love? Then
you will be forced to part from Dapple
again. She is mine by the right of pos
session. l cannot give her up. Come,
now, give you final decision-are you
willing to part from me and Dapple
forever"
Irene looked up with her old. glorify-
ing smile.
81 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.
Elm Lraved Goldenrod.