The bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1916-06-16

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ans rame. She was an inhabitant df
| Oostkerke. In the beginning of the
war her husband had been called to
the colors. She heard from him
three times, then his letters ceased,
and for months she had lived alone.
hoping that her husband was still
alive.
Face Death for Husband.
One day Clara Vermel was brood.
ing over her misfortunes when the
door opened and in walked 'Limping
Victor cripple who was employed
by the Germans to do errands, and
had often to go to Holland.
"'Clara,' he said, I have seen Rob
ert. He is at Sluis, Just over the bor-
der. But don't ask any more. risk
too much already
She heard the door bang and was
again alone. Robert alive! Robert
at Sluis, only few miles away? Then
she fell on her knees before the Holy
Virgin in the corner and prayed.
Then a shadow crept over her
face. Sluis is in Holland! The cleo
trio cables! They meant death for
those who came near them.
But she would go. She would face
death for him. Her father tried to
dissuade her, but finally gave in.
There is only one man, Clara he
said, who can help you II you really
want to go to Sluis, and that man is
Flor, the poacher. He knows every
inch of soil for miles round and miles
into Holland. Let us 60 and see him,
or rather you 60 alone; that would be
safer. You know where he lives
$50 you want to get to Sluis to
ses Y. y3of ifSis6aid;; vino was sol:
dier? said Flor, when Clara called at
his hut. But dc, you know what It
means, young woman? Do you know
how many have been killed by that
devilish wire?'
CrawIs Through, Tunnel.
1T was about midnight when the
poacher and Clara left the hut.
"'This is the time that the guard
is changed, and those old landsturms
are always late he had said, caution
ing her not to make any noise.
Near the little River Mendel run
ming half a mile distant the poacher
knew a kind of tunnel. This tunnel
had been made many years ago to de-
liver water to factory, standing just
across the border, near Sluis.
1.-THE cable is only few yards dis
tant from u.s. whispered the poacher
to Clara. We must keep to the
right, as we will soon turn with the
path and leave the cable. A cat
rushed past. Clara was frightened.
A few seconds after the poacher
stopped her Listen; that cat has
been killed. and she heard the com
planning cry which always followed
contact with the wire by man or ami
NAL.
The poacher had now found the
bridge he was looking for. Now
about a hundred yards further ne
said. He searched the grass and the
rushes near the water until his foot
sunk deep into hole. Soon he found
the opening. Come he said.
THE tunnel was not high enough
to stand in, so they had to crawl.
Clara thought it would never come to
an end. She had never been in such
darkness. She banged her head, hurt
her feet, but thought only Of her hus-
band. At last She heard the poacher
say: Here we are! This is Holland.
But be quiet for another hour, for
want to go back. You follow this lit
tie river about five minutes. You will
then come on a road which will bring
you into Sluis after twenty minutes
walk. And your soldier will be sleep.
ing under one of the roofs there"