The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-12-03

self. as / galloped through the slldgy
mire of the country road to Mobanne,
in the bewildering darkness and through
the rain which was driving down like
the sleet of waterfall. A devil of a
night for lovers meeting, truly; and
though / had ridden close on 10 miles
through it and had had to dodge a
couple of French scouting parties, i
doubted whether a dainty little beauty
like Lota would be able to venture the
200 yards to our rendezvous even to see
me.
But for the war we should have been
man and wife before this, for we had
fought down the opposition Of her
friends, and the fact that / was the
rich Graf Won Hollebranm had helped to
overcome their objection on the score of
my nationality.
With the outbreak of the war, how
ever, all their opposition had been re-
newed with a thousandfold viruience,
and Lota had been forbidden to see me
or to write to IAN enemy of France
actually in arms against her" Our
love had laughed at the prohibition. We
had met twice while my regiment lay
so close to Mobanne, and | had arranged
this third meeting to try and cheer the
poor little trembling heart.
i drew rein at / neared the house and
went very cautiously till / reached the
little side gate of the grounds where she
was to be. / stood there, shrouded IN
the deep darkness of the overhanging
trees. and waited. But / knew the
French scouts We're out in the district
and having no mind to be taken prus-
0ner, / soon began to develop Impotence
and | was meditating the expe4-ency OF
forcing the gate and exploring the
grounds themselves when | heard the
latch click as some one was opening 1T,
and moment later | saw the shadow
of a completely hooded figure.
rs that you, Lota?' l asked, though
the rain storm nearly drowned my voice.
'Hush!' The Inquire held mp hand,
as of one warming or beckOning.
In a taice / was ON the ground by her
side; but it was not Lota.
You are TO follow me- said the
woman, putting her head close to my
ear. Don't speak a wordp'
| led my horse through the gate, fast
ened him to the bough of a tree and
FASTENED after the dark figure, now pass
ing quickly and noselessly toward the
house.
/ understood at once that A4ota, scared
by the weather, had resolved to risk a
meeting in or close to the house, and /
knew there would be plenty of need for
caution in such a venture. / followed
therefore, without putting one of the
questions that rose to my tongue.
When we reached the house my guide
pushed open one of the long easement
windows and led me first into small
room that was in darkness, and then
opened the door O. one beyond, where /
saw lights.
| entered, expecting, of course, to meet
Lota, but instead, found myself face to
face with three French oIncers of caval-
ry, one of whom was sitting at a table
porting over some papers, the other two
leaning over d mall three i'll deep con-
sultation.
/ stopped dead In my establishment Ny
first thought was that / had fallen into
a trap laid for my capture. My hand
flew to my sword, and j resolved to sell
my life dearly. 4he fear of possible con-
sequences to Lota stayed me, however,
while the manner Of the officers changed
my opinion. They were apparently ex-
pecting me.
Good evening, Herr Lieutenant" said
the man at the table, as the others drew
back and stood beside him. You are
late, and we were just studying your
route, fearing you had been delayed or
prevented"
His manner was obviously genuine
but why should he fear / had been
detained
1T is very ugly might, gentlemen, :"
] answered. evasively, as If in explana
ton.
TRUE; and some of our fellows are
on the road too. Where are the pa
pers?'
What did this mean? Papers? Then
they did not know the object of my visit.
/ began to scent devilment, though what
course to take | could not see. Obvious
ly they did not know me-was / suppos-
ed to know them?
sPapersY' i echoed, with look as of
suspicion. who are you, gentlemen
Good he replied, smiling. And
quite right. But YOU know no names
are to be used in this matter"
"But / have never seen you before
said /, embroidered by my first success
full shot.
1--WE are here in the place of those
y
swer. caution is good, but make your
mind easy"
u want some proof, said /, cody
ald an exclamation of Impotence burst
from one of the two listeners. red
bearded, fierce-looking man. The one
in command checked him.
i have proof for you. Some of YOGI
previous papers" said he to me.
Show me- and / stretched out my
hand.
do you doubt our word? You:'
cried the red man, very angrily and
with contempt in his voice.
] read his meaning. lie took me for
spy. / had been plunged head over
heels into pretty little spy conspiracy,
and, unless my wits were brisk, the
affair might prove ugly enough.
The three drew together, and the red
man, whom / heard addressed as cap
tain, was demonstrated with sharply by
the officer in command, a major. AT
tho close the major handed me packet
OF papers, and while turned them over
with obstinate carefulness / made my
plans.
A glance showed what they were. Vi
tai revelations of the disposition and