The Wilmington daily Republican., 1901-10-28
'DAPPLE'S
MISTRESS
A Story of the Civil War.

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The scene was green stretch OF
summer lawn in front Of a fine old
Virginia farmhouse; the speaker
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 Accoceek
came the tramp Of retreating troops,
with now and then the mufiled roll Of
drum or the shrill bray Of bugle.
Old Virginia, the 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
few faithful old servants.
Canterng across the grounds an hour
after the retreat of the invading troops,
something attracted the young ladN's
notce-a prostrate 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
ponys neck, she went tripping across
the grounds to the spot where tie
figure lay.
1t was tall, solderly 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 fellow" she murmured laying
her soft hand upon his brow. 81 wish
l 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
{ vol Ia II 1,.n
tangled curls from tue soldiers brow.
"My poor follow" she said. "Can
do anything for your
He struggled up to his elbow, with a
stitled groan.
"My horse threw me-" he explained.
"and they left me behind. | think l
must lave tainted from the pain. |
thank you very much, but | cant see
how you can help me. suppose must
lie here till they take me prisoner, and
ia almost as soon be shot
Irene smied-a smile that lighted her
dark, bright face into positive beauty.
Il am in the cnemy's country she
said, "but if you will trust me think l
eau help YOU, at least l will see that
YOU are refreshed and made comfort
able
SHE put her hand to her bosom, and
drawing forth tiny whistle she pUt it
to her lips and blew n sharp little blast.
napplc prickel up his gray ears and
came cantering to her side, followed
instantly by II coloreI manservant.
"Yon Sec smiled Miss Irene, fash
ins bcaming glance on the soldier
Il hold MY reserve forces at a
moments warning. Here, James, hell
this gentleman to the horse and then
ride for DR., Werter to dress his limb
James yeu without Il 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.
Mruiwhlr, on the long veranda, Irene
kept watch, her slight, willowy h-Ur,
wrapped in a scarlet mantle, her tipsSy
raven trcssps floating on the winds.
by and by, as the midnight stars
came out and glittered overhead, above
the dreamy flow Of the river. above The
murmur and rustic of ihc forest leaves
arose the clash and ctang, the roar ant
tramp, Of advancing troops.
Ireue's dai>t face flushed and her lus
veranda with a swift step and tapped
lightly at the door of her guests cham
Der.
"Thcy arc coming" she whispered
"Thcy will take you prisoner if you re
main. You must 60"
The soldier started to his feet ant
mad" his way out, but he reelcd agains
the dOorpost, faint and gasping fo
breath.
; Il cant walk" he cried. "Theres NJ
hope of escape
J But Irene held out her 1.-the. youn:
arm.
"Ycs. there is," she said checrfully
"Lcan on me. | can help you down
and you shall ride Dapple. He know
the river road, and you will overtak
your comrades by dawn. Hurry; ther'
Is no time to lose"
, The soldier leaned upon the brave
( helpful young arm and succeeded II
reaching the lawn below.
"Dapple," the young girl called in he
! clear silver notes, "colne here!'
In a breath Dapple was at her side
The girl stood and looked at the ger
tie creature and then threw her arm
| around his neck.
! coli DHnpln. pretty Dapplc.' she sol