The Parma herald., 1916-08-17

Toward Dawn.
| In the condemned coll Richard Fsr
Quher stood with bis back against the
wall. BIZ arms folded, watchins ths
yellow streak Of light that uttered
through the narrow barred window
and fell slantwise across the darkness
70 me iron door opposite. He knew
that the light came from an overhang-
Ing lantern outside, and that beneath
sentry with nxed bayonet kept
guard.
Footsteps sounded on the passage
The light still burned steadily. Morn
ing was not yet come. Nor could he
hear voices or the familiar clash Of
bayonets- The footsteps were swift
stealthy. The jarrfng turn Of the kew
In the lock sounded subdued, as though
the strength OF the win behind 1t had
hushed sound itself. Farquhar faced
about nrmIy. II this were death. then
1t came under q strange guise. The
door swung open. For an instant the
light from the window spread out and
mingled with the dingy reflection from
the passage, then narrowed once more,
leaving the darkness on either hand
the more impenetrable.
"NamelessI Take these clothes.
Change instantly"
who arc youp
Il will introduce myself later on.
Do as I tell you"
A shadow moved and came out into
the line Of light. Farquhar caught a
glimpse OF the gaunt hard-lined face
frozen now into impassive resolution.
He tossed the bundle of clothes back
on to the door.
"Goetz, you fool, do you think I
would do it7 It's useless. I'm not
going to have you shot in my stead"
"Pig-headed EnglIshman, do you
think | should ask you to do anything
30 sensible7 Get into these clothes II
you don't want to be strangled? Name
Of heaven, Don Quixote, may not It oc-
cur to Sancho Panza to accompany you
on your little expedition into freedom ?"
The thing is impossible"
But even IN the half-light he had
caught the blaze In the usually cold
and arrogant eyes. 1t fred his blood.
1t was like blast of northern wind In
the fetid closeness.
1T is not impossible. Your friends
are here-your mother. There are
horses waiting for us both outside the
Notifications. Tomorrow we shall be
In Oron. God, man-if you had seen
her face when gave your messaseI
Will you let that little woman break
her heart over your"
Farquhar tore or his tunic.
who has the watch?"
Bertrand. He went over to the
canteen Eve minutes ago. As 1 know,
be will not be back yet while. At
tho worst we have three minutes to
spare"
"Give me that coatr'
Neither man had raised his voice
above a whisper. Goetz's laugh was
"Ah, das ewig weiblicheI Are you
readyT
"Yes."
Then come.~
The iron door swung back smoothly.
In the neighboring cell there was a
sudden hush; as though warned by
some instinct the rough voices died
down into dull murmur, through
which the two listeners heard other
'ounds-a harsh command, heavy ap-
preaching footsteps. Goetz closed the
1oor. He set his back against 1t, and
n the pale light falling aslant his face
Farquhar saw that he was smiling
'avagely.
II demand hundred pardons. l
Our friend Bertrand
las deserted the bottle a minute too
'oon- 1t is scarcely credible. No
loubt he intends to pay you a farewell
all. In which case accept my profuse
pologies, Nameless"
who goes with Bertrand on the
oundf" Farquhar asked almost with
Harding. He knows. He will do
II he can Be quiet now-they are
1 the next CELL"
The drunken shouts subsidized sud-
emily into cowed sullen silence. They
card the sergeant's savage abuse, the
lngle Of keys. the clang of an iron
oor slammed violently to. Instantly
lie chorus broke out afresh.
CTo BE CoNTINUED.)