The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-11-19
IN THE LISTS OF LOVE.
Nv AnTHUR w. MARcHM0NT.

Copyright, 1880, by Arthur W-Marchmont ~
ITS devil OF a night" / said 10 my
self. as I ganoped through the sludsy mirt
of the country road 20 Mobanre, 10 ne
bewildering darkness and t1ruugn the "a q
which was driving down like the eleet q
waterfall. A devil Of a night for @ 4oF-l
meeting. truly; and though ] ha1 ridl-u
close on ten miles through IL ana IA !i''
10 dodge a couple Of French scouting par r
ties. I doubted whether dainty htile
beauty like Lota would be ab e TO venture
the 2eo Yards 10 cur rendezvous even 10
see me.
But for the war we should have been
man and wife before this. Tor we LaN
fought down the opposition Of her trlen s.
and the fact that / was the rich GIaI F'l
Hollebrann had helped TO overcome tnei'
objection on the score Of my nationality.
WITH the outbreak of the war, h3weV r.
all their opp5siuon had beel renewed win
a thousandfold virulence. and Lola nad
been forbidden TO see me or to white 10 an
enemy Of France actually in arms asa'lSt
her" our love had laughed at the pro
hibltion. We had met twice while my g
iment lay so close 20 Mobanne, ana -aI
arranged this third meeting TO try auo
cheer the poor little trembling heart
l drew rein as l neared the houe AMI
went very cautiously tin ! reached he II 20
lie side gate OF The grounds wnere sas
was TO be. 1 stood there shrouded IN the
deep darkness OF the overhsnglng trees'
and waited. But ] knew the FrencA
scouts were out in the district and having
no mind to be taken prisoner, soon b g
10 develop imp8tience and ! was m i
tating the expediencey of forcing the ga g
and exploring the grounds themselves
when ] heard the catch click as SOM Oh 2
was opening it, and a moment later saw
the shadow Of a completely hoodei hsur p
40 r "a
rainstorm nearly drowned my voice.
"Hushlp The figure held up nand.
as Of one warning or beckonng'
In a trice ] was on the ground by nor
side; but il was not Lota-
'You are to follow me- said the wo-
man. putting her head close TO my ear
Don't speak word!
he'd nv horse through the gate, tast-
ened him to the bough OF a tree and mas
tened after the dark figure, now passing
quickly and noiselessly toward the mouse.
1 understood at once that Dota, scared
by the weather, had resolved 10 risk
meeting In or close to the house, ana !
knew there would be plenty OF neeo OF
caution fn 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 WIN
dows ana led me first into small room
that was in darkness. and then opened the
door OF one beyond, where l saw lights.
l entered. expecting. Of course, 10 meet
Lota, but instead. l found myself face 20
face with three French officers of cayal-
-. one Of whom was sitting al table
porting over some papers. the other TWO
leaning over him-all three in deep con-
sultatiou.
Il stopped dead in my establishment. My
first thought was that ! had fallen into
"a FuT "a HE
to my sword. and ] resolved 10 sell my
life dearly. The fear Of possible eonse-
ouences TO L0ta stayed me. however while
the manner of the officers changed my
opinion. They were apparently expecting
me.
Good evening. Herr Lieutenant" said
the man al the table as the others drew
back and stood behind him. You are late,
and we were just studying your route,
fearing you had been delayed or prevent
ed"
His manner was obviously genuine-but
why should be fear" I had been detain-
ed2
1T is a very ugly night. gentlemen"
I answered. evasively, as If in explana-
lion.
'aTrue; and some of our fellows are on
the road. too. Where are the papers?"
What did this mean? Papers? Then
they did not know the OBJECT Of my visit.
! began 10 scent devilment, though what
course TO take I could not see Obviously
they did not know me-was / supposed to
know them2
''Paparg?" 1 echoed win a 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 I, emboldened by my first successful
shot.
I'VE are here in the place Of those you
have hitherto SEEN" was the answer.
Caution is good, but make your mind
easy"
4 want some proof" sad I, coolly; and
an exclamation of Impotence burst from
one of the two listeners. a red-bearded.
herce-looking man. The one in command
checked him.
Il have a proof for you. Some of your
previous papers" said he 10 me.
SHOW me- and l stretched out my
hand.
do you doubt our word? Your" cried
the red man, very angrily and with con-
tempt in his voice
read his meaning He 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 l heard addressed as cap
tain, was demonstrated with sharply by
the officer in command. a major. At the
close the major handed me "a packet Of
papers, and while turnedsthem over with
obstinate carefulness I made my plans.
glance showed what they We're. Vital
revelations of the disposition and strength
Of the German troops in the district a
number OF Indications Of routes, and so
much of the plan of Immediate campaign
as was known to our STAFF.
Every eye bent on me as I stood turn
ing over the papers, thinking for all was
worth how / could discover the scoundrel
who had betrayed these secrets.
You recognize them. l presume" said
the major, a little impatiently. you
know your own wrlting?'
Il see what they are" / answered de-
liberately; and as 1 handed them back 1
managed to secure two or three sheets.
Then looking him straight in sthe face,
added: But they are not in my writing.
] am not the man who gave the infor-
nation"
The speech acted like a bombshel.
The red-bearded captain sprang to his