The Washburn leader., 1916-08-04
FAMOUS
VICTORY
B. F. A. Mitchell

! A young man within the German
lines in Alsace knocked ut the door of
! cottage A girl came to the door.
and he asked her II he might be ac-
commodated for the night which was
coming on. She called to her mother
in the German tongue. The young
man knitted his brows. He had ex-
pected to find French inmates.
The mother came and spoke to the
stranger, speaking French with a
German accent. He told her that he
was travelling and since there was no
other house near either she must ad-
NIT him or he must bivouac for the
night. She consented to admit him.
The young man was about twenty
two years old and handsome as a pic
ture. A winning smile began to play
about his lips the moment he spoke
to the girl. and his eyes indicated his
admiration for her. He said nothing
about the terrible war that was going
on nor did his hostess or her daugh-
ter. Nevertheless he assumed that
they sympathized with the German
cause. For Frances lost province has
at least as large population Of Ger
mans as French. As to the young
man, he was plainly French.
Now, though these persons did not
talk about the war, it was evident that
the visitor, being Frenchman within
the German lines, was living with a
sword suspended over him. True, the
country near about was not occupied
by troops except in small bands, but
any German soldier meeting French
man there would require him to give
an account of himself. At bedtime the
stranger took a candle and went to
the room that had been assigned him.
locked the door after him and went to
bed, but not to sleep. There was that
on his mind that precluded sleep. Life
was on the one hand, death on the
other. he was liable to be clutched
by death.
The girl about midnight, armed with
pair Of pliers, went to the guests
door and, feeling with her implement
for the end of the key, finally succeed
ed in turning it. Opening the door, she
stole into the guests room and to
chair beside the bed on which he had
put his clothes. She was about to
withdraw them when she felt q hand
on her wrist.
"Let me co." she said in low voice.
Certainly" said the visitor. "You
have doubtless made a mistake in the
ROOM"
He released her, and she withdrew.
He knew well what her object had
been In. trying to take his clothes.
She suspected he was a spy and that
In his pockets would be found papers
containing information he was taking
to the entente allies.
In the morning when he came down
to breakfast and bade the girl good
morning his face wore that same win
ming smile. She did not respond, EVIL
dently steeling herself against him.
When he started on his journey she
had on her hat and coat and gloves.
II am going with you," she said.
II am delighted"
"You are a spy, and intend to turn
you over to the first German officer we
meet" .#
"Oh, no, you won't!"
"Why not?"
Because they would stand me up
and shoot me-"
II have considered all that"
"But when it comes to seeing me
shot down you will regret what you
have DONE"
All this the Frenchman said with
that same irresistible smile on his lips
"Give me the papers you are bear
ing and you may go free for. all me-"
ut is beyond your power to free
me-"
"Why so7"
"You have made prisoner Of my
heart, and my heart will not be re-
leased"
1t was evident that the shot had hit.
The girl was winged. But she was
not ready to surrender.
my feelings may drive me one way,
but my duty is driving me another.
am capable Of sacrificing my feelings
to my duty"
''Then do So"
The only weapon he carried was a
revolver. Taking it from its holster at
his hip he tossed it to her. It fell at
her feet. He folded his arms and stood
looking at her with that smile which
was having the same effect upon her
that the eye Of serpent would have
on bird.
"Do your duty to your fatherland.
The papers you wish are on my per-
son, but you shall not have them with
out first killing me-"
She was not yet conquered. Taking
up the weapon she cooked 1t, advanced
to within a few feet Of him, put the
muzzle against his breast and said:
"Give me the papers or will sacri.
flee you to my duty"
II love you," was his only response.
"Once more, give me the papers"
"Once more, love you"
They stood, the eyes of each fixed on
those Of the other. The battle waxed
hot, but not with weapons Of death.
1t was a fight Of love against duty.
Without that smile duty might have
won.
IT, q -A-A- -. a. ia