Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1916-11-22

81 Wnen Sne saw Cl0chette emerge s.
hastily with the paper in her hant
4 it flashed upon her that Clochette ha,
become possessed of information o
the German movements and was TAX
ing it to the French commander.
4 1t happend that these two girls wer,
J. interested in the same man. Pierr,
\ Vented was the son of a German
] Alsatian and a FlOnchwoman. Pierr,
had been born twenty years after thu
cession Of the province to Germany
and, his parentage being divided be
! tween German and French, he cared
little whether he lived under the rule
of q president or kaiser. As to tho
two girls who were interested In him
he had not shown a decided prefer
ence for either.
/ Gretchen was not only interested In
baking Clochette's move from patri
otto motives, but from feeling Of an.
tagonisln due to rivalry. On seeing
the French girl hurry away Gretchen
snatched up hat and coat and ran
after her Keeping behind her, Crotch
en- soon saw that she was making
toward the French army, Gretchen
was about to- catch up with her rival,
with a view to prevent her taking the
supposed information to the French
commander, when who should appear
on the scene to complicate matters
but Pierre WentZel He emerged from
a crossroad and met Clochette at the
crossing while Gretchen was still at
some distance behind. Vented Joined
Clochette and walked on beside her
The girls had each been working on
Vented, the one to make him a
Frenchman, the other German, but
thus far neither had succeeded. The
fact that Clochette was doubtless hur
wing to the French headquarters with
information that might lead to a,
German defeat was sufficient in itself,
but that Vented should be a party to
the act was maddening Indeed, 1t
was too much for Gretchen. She hur
ried on and overlook the others. Not
being In mood to act automatically.
she spoke at random.
What have you in your hand?" she
asked Of Clochette.
Glochette made no other reply than
to look at her rival defantly.
II saw the generals go into your
house. They held council Of war
there. That paper you hold so tightly
is information you obtained by caves
dropping, and you are carrying it to
the French army. Pierre, take it from
her!'
"Why should 1 do that?' asked
Pierre.
because your father was German
and you should be loyal to the kaiser"
II am neither loyal to the kaiser nor
to the president. If Clochette has
paper it is hers. not mine nor yours.
and / see no reason why she should
be compelled to give it up"
eff you permit her to carry that in
formation to the French army" cried
Gretchen, you need not consider me
your friend any more!'
Pierre stood irresolute. He was not
ready to thus choose between the two
girls.
Il do not fear said Clochette, ..that
Pierre will rob me Of anything ! have
in my possession. \
"Clochette." he said, Il fear that II
you go to the front you may be shot"
II will risk that" was the reply.
"You had better give me the paper
"Do understand you to demand 1t |
of me because Gretchen commands
you to do so on pain of being dismissed
by herr"
"Not exactly" stammered Pierre.
2 Meanwhile firing was heard at the
front, and missiles began to spit about
the trio. At this point a spent bullet
struck CloQhette's hand, and the paper
futtered to the ground. While Clio
Ghetto was grasping the empty fingers
Gretchen stopped and picked UP the
paper. As soon as Clochette saw that
said to Pierre:
Gretchen called upon you to decide
between us when had the paper. Now
call upon you to do SO. And You
must decide, too, between France and
Germany. Take it to the Germans or
% the French, whichever you like; if
o the Germans, you need never COM
nunicate with me again; if to the
French, shall love you forever"
Pierre looked from one girl to the
'ther several times Presently it was
lain that he had made up his mind.
"Giye me the paper" he said to
Gretchen.
what do you intend to do with it?'
sked Gretchen.
81 intend to decide between you
nd Clochette.'
Sand between Germany and France?"
YES"
She hesitated moment. then hand
d it to him. He read what was writ
en- on it, and while he was doing SO
bullet took it out of his hand and
art Of three fingers at the same time.
looked about for it, but failed
0 find it. Clochette, forgetting her
ountry's cause in her love, ran to
'ierre, believed his wounded hand
nth her tears and wrapped it in her
n
II bave decided said Pierre. II am
Or Clochette and France"
But the paper never reached its des-
nation.
! f. Richardson /.