Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-06-30
THE DAY OF WRATH
A STORY OF 1914
BY Louis Tracy

man, because one prong had reached the
Germans heart and he had stilled at once.
But Joos thrust and thrust again, oven
using foot TO bury the fork TO It's shoulder
This was the most ghastly part Of a thrill
ing episode. Busch wrthed on tho floor.
screaming shrily for mercy, and striving
vsinly TO stay with his hands the deadly
implement from eating into his vitals.
That despsiring effort gave the miller
a ghoulish satisfaction. Aha :" he chortled.
YOU laughed at Lafarge Laugh now. you
swine That's for the doctor. and that's
for my wife, and that's for my daughter.
and that's for me :"
Dalroy did not attempt 10 stop him
These men must die They had come to the
mill TO destroy: II was just retribution that
they themselves should be destroyed His
coolness In this crisis was not the least
important factor In a situation rife with
peril His method Of attack had converted
hsht against heavy odds into a speedy
and most enectual slaughter But that
was only the beginning. Even while the
frenzed yelling Of the squlrming Busch was
suhsidng into n frothy gurgle he went 10
the door and listened. A battery OF artillery
was passing at a trot, and creating din
| enough to drown the cries of a hundred
Busches
He looked back over his shoulder
| Madame Joos was on her knees praying
| The poor woman had no thought but that
| her last hour had come Happily she was
| spared the sight Of her husband $ vengeance
Happily too none Of the women tainted
Leontine was painting and sohbinE in
MaefHS arms. Irene, leaning against the
! wall near the fireplace. was gazing now at
Joos, now at the fallen man At her feet.
! now AT Dalroy. But her very soul was on
! hre She, too. had yielded to the madness
| Of a lfe-and-d death struggle Her ewes
were dilated. Her bosom rose and fell
! with labored breathing Her teeth were
! sun clenched. her lips parted as though
she dreaded to fnd some losthsome taste on
| them
Maerta seemed 20 have retained his
senses, SO Dalroy appealed to him Jan. '
| he said quietly. we must go at once Get
your master and the others outside. Then
! eNtingush the lamp. Hurry We haven't
| second to spare"
Joos heard Satisfied now that the fork
| had been effective, he Strengthened his small
body and said shrilly. You GO, II sou like
| I'll not leave my money to be burnt with
| my house. Now, wife, stir yourself, Where's
| that key?'
| The familiar voice reused Madame Joos
| from a stupor Of fear. She fumbled in her
bodice. and produced key attached to a
chain OF fine silver. Her husband mounted
| ntmhly on a chair, ran q finger along
one Of the heavy beams which rooted the
Kitchen. found a cunningly hidden keyhole
and unlocked long, narrow receptacle
which had been scooped out OF the wood
more ingenious. accessible. vet unlikely
hiding place FOR treasure could not read.
lily be imagined. He took out a consider.
able sum Of money in notes, gold and sll.
YER Though a man Of wealth. with a sub
stantial account In the state bank he still
retained the peasants love OF a persona
hoard.
Slowing away the money in varlous
pockets. Joos got down off the chair BuscF
was dying, but he was not unconscious
He had even watched the miller's action.
with a certain detached curiosity. and tn,
old fellow seemed TO become aware Of IN,
fact. so" he caCkled you saw. did you
That should annoy you In your last hour
you fat thief Yes, yes. monsieur III com,
now. Leontne. stop blubbing, and tie W
that piece of beef and some bread in
napkin. We fighting men must eat. Jan
| put the bottles OF champagne and the porl