Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-12-10

band ana came here to meet me. I
care not who knows it, Fritz" She
smoke proudly. little guessing the i'll +
turn she was unwittingly doing me. /
81 am not ashamed of the man l am |
pledged to marry"
"Oh, that's it." said the brute of a
captain, his eyes glistening. ITS 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 cNpostula-
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.
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 We're sent away.
"You are the Graf Won Hollebrann,
lieutenant in the German army?" be-
gan the major in dry, inquisitorial
manner.
"Before answer any question I
must understand the object of my be-
ing Intercepted and the reason for
this treatment"
"You have been caught acting in
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 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 Inc the other
reason?"
l hesitated moment and then re-
solved to answer frankly.
II was brought to this room to my
intense surprise. saw there was
some treachcry afloat, and 1 resolved
to ascertain who was the traitor I
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 10 be my duty"
"You saw the risks, no doubt, and re-
solved to take them. You know the
| consequencesY
81 don't understand you," said,
very uncomfortable feeling beginning
| to steal over me- He looked up at me
with hard, impressive eyes.
4 "The punishment of spy who is
caught is-what?" His voice was hard
us steel.
was silent.
"You are on your own confession a
spy, and you will therefore be shot,"
he added.
1 could not resist the Tightening of
the muscles at my heart, but cholied
down every evidence of my consterna-
ton. 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 full minute.
"To shoot me as a spy, Major Mont
rey, is murder. 1t will provoke much
comment and will lead to many re-
prisals," 1 said when I could get my
voice quite steady.
He shrugged his shoulders.
l would not condescend to plead for
my life and said no more. l stood
thinking of my suddenly broken career
and Of the girl whom loved SO pas
sionately. 1t was the thought of her
pain that made me vince. My reverie
was broken by the major. Looking ut
me searchingly, he said:
"You can save your life If you will
Give your word to say nothing of what
you have seen here and agree to help
Lieutenant Won Mason i'm
Enough of that, if you please"
broke in. 81 hold the man who tempts
as big a scoundrel as the one who lis
tens. My honor is not for sale.'
He WINGED, and saw him bite his
lip. Then he called in the guard.
GLOW long have to live?" 1 asked.
can hour" was the curt reply.
"Can have paper and ink? wish
the truth to be known"
NO.
"Ah, you wish the murder to be Sc
eret."