Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1902-06-24

face fell as he caught sight or me. II
turned white to the lips and woul
have fled, seemingly, had not the caT
tain, who was nearest to him, clappe
hand ON his shoulder and cried, wit
sneer:
Come in, come in. You two worth
gentlemen know one another. see."
i bit niy lips with rage at the taunt
1--WE will settle our quarrel now, l
you please" said to him. 81 can sta,
here no longer. ma ajor." | added, turn
lug to the man in command. had in
deed seen enough ami was, anxious t.
ret away.
ION the contrary. you cannot leave
was The sh TT reply.
Cannot" | cried. and l backed t
the door by which | had entered ant
opened it quickly. but only to step int
the arms of three men who had jus
been posted there.
ARREST him." called the major quiet
ly. "Disarm him and take him out o.
earshot till call"
In a moment my sword and revolvel
were taken from me. and the men LEI
me out into the hall. where came un
expectedly face to face with Lota. wht
looked tie picture of distress and grief
She flew to me and, pushing the meI
aside, took my hands.
Fritz, Fritz. what is this?" she cried
| niStal.n I ntn
but no doubt it will all be set right
Say nothing" whispered. | saw theI
that her clothes were all soaked ant
soddened by the rain. She had evident
ly been out waiting for me.
AS we stood thus the red captain
came out.
1--WE will settle that he began
when Lota broke in:
Captain dAguilar. what does this
mean? Why is my-why is the Grai
Won Holletyann treated in this way"
"Is this the Count Won HollebrannT
and his eyes lighted.
"Say no more. Lota," whispered.
81 will speak. Fritz. This is an out
rage. a shame. Who dares to do this
in my house? will go to Major Mont
rev." she cried passionately. "Iht
Graf Won Hollebrann is my future hus
band and came here to meet me.
care not who EEows it. Fritz" She
spoke proudly. little guessing the IL
turn she was unwittingly doing me
81 am not ashamed of the man l an
pledged to marry"
"Oh, that's it." said the brute OF q
captain, his eyes glistening. ITS q
pity you didn't tell us the truth. then
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 cry that n.Lde me
break from the men who held me and
dash into the room into the midst Of q
singular scene. Lota was Oh her knees
before the major, begging and implor
ing him to do l had not time to heaI
what before my captors had seized me
again and dragged me away to another
room, where they stood guard over me
l remained there probably an hour
when | was carried again to the pres
ence of the three officers. 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, inQuisitoria
manner.
Before I answer any question
must understand the object of my be,
ing interrogated and the reason for
this treatment"
"You have been caught acting in q
very eQuivocal manner, and l am Civ
ing you an opportunity Of explaining
your conduct. II you cannot or will moi
explain it, the consequences must be or
your own head"
"Yes; 1 am the Graf Won Hollebrann
What neXt%
"Your object in coming here"
81 decline to say"
mo matter. Mile. de Choiseul has
very chivalrously stated it was to meet
her. Why did you give me the other
reason?"
hesitated q moment and then re-
solved to answer frankly.
III was brought to this room to my
intense surprise. saw there was
some treachery afloat, and | resolved
| to ascertain who was the traitor. /
| 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"
shrugged my shoulders.
81 did what felt to be my duty"
"You saw the risks, no doybt. 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 spy who Is
caught is-whatY His voice was hard
as steel.
was silent.
"You are on your own confession a
SPY, and you will therefore be shot"
he added.
could not resist the Tightening OF
the muscles at my heart, but l choked
down every evidence Of my consterna-
ton. l thought Of poor Lota and OF
her horror and misery at having inno-
Gently helped to bring matters to this
pass with me.
There was dead silence In the room
for a full minute.
ITO shoot me as a spy. Major Mont
rey, is murder. 1t will provoke much
comment and will lead to many re-.
prisals," SAID when l could get my
voice quite steady.
He shrugged his shoulders.
l would not condescend to plead fol
my life and said no more. l stooc
thinking of my suddenly broken career
and of the girl whom loved so pas
sionateiy. 1t was the thought OF bel
pain that made me vince. My reveri'
was broken by the major. Looking a
me searchingly, he said:
"You can save your life If you will
Give your word to say nothing of wha
you have seen here and agree to hell
Lieutenant Won Mason in
Enough of that, II you please"
| h.olro In MI hold tho man Whn femnt,