The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1916-11-21

dIter ner. keeping behind her, Gretch-
en- soon saw that she was making
toward the French army. Gretchen
was about to catch up with her rival,
with view to prevent her taking the
supposed information to the French
commander, when who should appear
on the scene to complicate matters
but Pierre Vented. 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 a German. but
thus far neither had succeeded. The
fact that Clochette was doubtless bur
rying to the French headquarters with
information that might lead to
German defeat was sufficient in itself.
but that Vented should be a party to
the act was maddening. Indeed. it
was too much for Gretchen. She bur
ried on and overlook the Others Not
being in mood to act automatically.
she spoke at random.
What have you in your handP' she
asked Of Clochette.
Clochette made no other reply than
to look at her rival defantly.
81 saw the generals go into your.
house. They held a 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
herv'
"why should I do thetT" asked
Pierre.
Because your father was a German.
and you should be loyal to the kaiser"
Il am neither loyal to the kaiser nor
to the president If Clochette has
paper it is hers, not mine nor yours.
and 1 see no reason why she should
be compelled to give it up"
"If you permit her to carry that in
formation to the French army" cried
Gretchen, you need not consider me
your friend any mofel"
Pierre stood irresolute. He ives not
ready to thus choose between the two
girls.
II do not fear" seid Clochette, that
Pierre will rob me Of anything I have
In my possession"
"Clochette," he said, 81 fear that If
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 it
Of me because Gretchen commando
you to do so on pain Of being dismissed
by herr
mot exactly" stanmered Pierre.
Meanwhile firing was heard at the
front, and missiles began to spit about
the trio. At this point a spent bullet
struck Clochette's hano, and the paper
fluttered to the ground. While Clio
Ghetto was grasping the empty fingers
Gretchen stopped and picked up the
paper. As soon as Clochette saw that
her rival possessed her treasure she
said to Pierre:
"GretcheR called upon you to decide
between us when had the paper. Now
CAP upon you to do so. And you.
must decide, too between France and
Germany. Take it to the Germans or
to the French, whichever you like; If
to the Germans, you need never com
municate with me again; if to the
French, shall love you forever"
Pierre looked from one girl to the
other several times. Presently it was
plain that he had made up his mind.
"Give me the paper" he said to
Gretchen.
"What do you intend to do with it?'
asked Gretchen.
81 intend to decide between you
and Clochette."
sand between Germany and France?"
"Yes."
She hesitated a moment, then hand
ed it to him. He read what was writ
ten on it, and while he was doing so
bullet took it out of his hand and
part Of three fingers at the same time.
Gretchen looked about for it, but failed
to find 1t. Clochette, forgetting her
country's cause in her love, ran to
Pierre, believed his wounded hand
with hef tears and wrapped it in her
handkerchief.
II have decided" said Pierre. 81 am
for Clochette and France"
But the paper never reached its des-
tination.