Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-16
CHAPTER XII.
AT THE GATES OF DEATH.

CHAPTER XII.
AT THE GATES OF DEATH.
Had Dalroy followed his own plans,
supported as they were by the well
meant advice rendered by the farmer
of the Meuse valley. he might have led
his companions through the final bar
rier without mourning any risk at all
comparable with the hairy breadth es-
capes of Wise, Argenteau, Andenne and
Huy.
But the weather broke. Rain fell In
torrents. and Irene's presence was
real deterrent to spending a night in
a ditch or lurking in the depths OF
wood till dawn. Maertz. too, jubilant
in the certainty that the Belgian out
posts were hardly six miles distant.
advocated the bold policy of a day
light march. Still, there was no ex-
cuse for Dalroy, who knew that pa
tent to stand fast by night. and scout
during the day. Uniuekily. Irene was
eager as their Belgian friend to rush
the last stage. She was infected by
the prevalent spirit OF the people.
these valiant folk in the real Flanders
held tho Germans rather cheap. They
did not realize that outpost affairs are
not bAttles-that a cavalry screen, as
its very name implies. is actually OF
more value in cloakiHg movements of
armies in the rear than in reconnotter-
ing.
Be that as it may, in the late after
noon OF 5th September the three were
hurryinE past some lounging troopers
ing rain in the spacious doorway OF
ruined barn. when one man called to
them. 'rHil where are you on to-?
They pretended not to hear, where
upon bullet passed through Dalroy's
smock between arm and ribs.
1t was useless to think OF boiling
from cavalry. They turned at once.
hoping that 4 bold front might serve.
This occurred a mile or more from
Oombergen. Maertx had IAN aunt" in
IF she's anything like you, you're
welcome to her: but let's have look
at your cousin" Erinned the German.
grssping Irene by the shoulder.
You stop here. fraulein--or. 10 It
frauT he said. with vnsly sug1es-
tive lesr. Anyhow, 1t doesn't matter.
II ono OF these pigheads 10 your hus-
Now to Irene svery German soldier
was boor, with Doors vices and
The man, . corporal.
spoke and acted coarsely. using the
arEot Of the barrack room. and she
satyrlike features q certain intelsc-
tuality. SO. in her distress, she blum
dered twice.
Leave me aioner' she said. shriliy.
trying in voice and manner to copy
Now don't be coy, pretty one."
chuckled the trooper. beginning to
urge her foreibly in the direction Of
Dalroy and Jan Maerts had remained
Suddenly the Belgian sheered on. and
ran like a hare into the dense wood
surrounding the small cleared space in
which stood the barn. The building
stock only. There was no dwelling at
tached. 1t had served. too, as a rally
Ing point during some recent scrim-
mage. The outer walls were Clipped
with bullets: the doors had been torn
on and burnt; it was typical of Bel
gium under German rule-a husk given
fictitious life by the conoueror's horses
and men.
Irene had seen Jan make off. while
Dalroy lurched slowly nearer. She
could not hear the fierce whisper which
hade their sturdy ally bolt for the
trees. and. II he got away, fmplore a
strong Belgian patrol to come to the
rescue. But she knew that some dar-
ing expedient had been devised on the
spur Of the moment. and gathered all
her resources for an effort to gain
time
The corporal heard Jan break into a
run. Letting 90 the girl. he swung on
his heel and raised the carbine.
happen. with q calm courage that
was superb because Of its apparent
lack Of thought. he had placed him
self In the direct line of IRE Standing
III l.
laughing loudly, he first glanced over
his shoulder at the vanishing Maertz.
and then gusfawed into the hussars
face.
Hes done bunk" he cried. cheer
fully. "You said he might 60. Herr
unter-ofncier. SO he hoped it without
even saying 'Auf wieder sehn.'"
Meanwhile. as he was steadily mask
ing the Germans. aim. he might have
been shot without warning. But the
rev precious seconds, and the men in
the barn helped unconsciously by chaff-
ing their comrade.
You've got your hands full with the
girl. Franz" said one.
What's she like?" bawIed another
u can only see pair of slim ankles
That's all you will see. Geors," said
Franz. believing that scared Belgian
peasant had merely boitad in panic
This little bit IL mine by the laws Of
war. Here. YOU" he added, surveying
Dalroy quite amicably. "be off to your
aunt! You'll probably be shot at Oos-
terzeele: but that's your affair. not
mine"
You don't know my aunt" said Dali
roy. I'd sooner face a regiment Of
soldiers than stand her tongue tf 20
home without her niece"
II he hoped to placate this swaeger-
Ing scoundrel by display Of good M
NOR he failed lamentably An ugly
CLINT shone in the mans eyes. and Ne
handled the carbine again threaten
ingly.
ITO he'll with you and your aunt.
he snarled. Perhaps you don't know
1t. YOU Flemish fool. but you're a Ger.
man now and must obey orders. Cut
after YOUR pal before count three ar
III put daylight through you: One,
Then the hapless Irene committed a
second and fatal error, though II was
pardonable in the frenzy of fraric
dilemma. since the next moment might
see her lover ruth!essiy murdered. To
category was bad mistake: II was
far worse to change her accent from,
the crude speech Of tho province Of
Lere to the high-sounding periods ~
Berlin society. u
How dare you threaten unorendins
screamed. It demand that you send
for an ofifcer. and ask the other men
OF your regiment to bear witness. wn
have done nothing Whatsoever TO war
rant your brutal behavior"
The hussar stood as though he. ana
not Dairny. had been siIenced BY 4
bullet. He listened TO the girls out
burst with an expression Of blank
amazement, which soon gave place 10
sinister smile.