The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1902-05-09

"Let him come in," said the major,
and in the dead silence 1 heard foot
steps and the clank of u sword as the
spy crossed the hall.
The instant my eyes fell on him ]
could not restrain an exclamation OF
Rstonishment. He was a man high ip
favor with the staff and of excellent
family, Lieutenant Won Mason. His
face fell as he caught sight Of me. He
turned white to the lips and would
have fed, seemingly, had not the cap
tain, who was nearest to him, clapped
hand on his shoulder and cried, with
q sneer:
Come in, come in. You two worthy
gentlemen know one another, l see."
bit my lips with rage at the taunt.
eve will settle our quarrel now, if
you please" l said to him. 81 can stay
here no longer, major" l added, turn
ing to the man in command. had in
deed seen enough and was anxious to
get away. .a
ION the contrary, you cannot leave"
was the short reply.
"Cannotw l cried, and l backed to
the door by which l had entered and
opened it quickly, but only to step'into
the arms of three men who had just
been posted there.
ARREST him." called Tie major quiet
ly. "Disarm him and take him out Of
earshot till l call"
In Il moment my sword and revolver
tnI- ft.n, mn md 1nH
me out into the hall, where came un-
eXpectedly face to face with Lota, who
looked tie picture of distress and grief.
She flew to me and, pushing the men
aside, took my hands.
Fritz, Fritz, what is this" she cried.
''There has been some mistake, Lota,
but no doubt it will all be set right.
Say nothing" whispered. 1 saw then
that her clothes were all soaked and
soddened by the rain. She had evident
ly been out waiting for me.
As we stood thus the red captain
came out.
"We will settle that he began,
when Lota broke in:
Captain d'Aguilar, what does this
mean? Why is my-why is the Graf
Won Hollebrann treated in this way"
"Is this the Count Won HollebrannW
and his eyes lighted.
Say no more, Lota," whispered.
81 will speak, Fritz This is an out
rage, shame. Who dares to do this
in my house? will go to Major Mont
rey," she cried passionately. "The
Graf Won Hollebrann is my future hus-
band and came here to meet me. I
care not who knows it, Fritz" She
spoke proudly, little guessing the i'll
turn she was unwittingly doing me.
Il am not ashamed of the man I am
pledged to marry"
ooh, that's it," said the brute of
captain, his eyes glistening. ''It's a
pity you didn't tell US the truth, them"
he sneered at me.
A messenger came to recall him, and
Lota, all against my wishes, went into
the room with him.
Then | heard voices in loud alterca-
ton, Lota's in entreaty and eXpostula-
ton, and finally a cry that made me
break from the men who held me and
dash into the room into the midst of a
singular scene. Lota was on her knees
before the major, begging and implor-
ing him to do had not time to hear
what before my captors had seized me
again and dragged me away to another
room, where they stood guard over me.
I remained there probably an hour,
when l was carried again to the pres
ence of the three officers. l was placed
on the side Of the table opposite the
major, and the soldiers were sent away.
"You are the Graf Won Hollebrann,
lieutenant in the German army?" be-
gan the major in a dry, inquisitorial
manner.
Before l answer any question I
must understand the object of my be-
ing interrogated and the reason for
this treatment"
you have been caught acting in a
very equivocal manner, and l am CIV
ing you an opportunity of explaining
your conduct. If you cannot or will not
explain it, the consequences must be on
your own head"
Eyes; / am the Graf Won Hollebrann.
What nextT
"Your object in coming here?"
~ decline to say"
'No matter. Mile. de Choiseul has
very chivalrously stated it was to meet
her. Why did you give me the other
reason?"
| hesitated a moment and then re-
solved to answnr frankly
81 was brought to this room to my
intense surprise. l saw there was
some treachery afloat, and l resolved
to ascertain who was the traitor. l
told that tale to make sure of being
brought face to face with him.
"You admit, then, that you deter
mined to play the spy so far. You will
understand the gravity of your posi-
ton, therefore"
l shrugged my shoulders.
81 did what felt to be my duty"
"You saw the risks, no doubt, and re-
solved to take them. You know the
consequences"
81 don't understand you" said, a
very uncomfortable feeling beginning
to steal over me. He looked up at me
with hard. impassive eyes.
''The punishment of a spy who is
caught is-what" His voice was hard
as steel.
l was silent.
"YOu are on your own confession a
spy, and you will therefore be shot,"
he added.
couId not resist tho tiphtanfno of