The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1917-12-20
frise; but even then there would
be a long hand overland climb to

frise; but even then there woul
be long nd-over-hand climb t
accomplish; and the barbed an
pointed spikes had looked YER
formidable. In any event, she ha,
the whole night before her; sh
must not act hastily; she mus
wait and watch; perhaps som
other means would present itself
perhaps Dan > .
And then the pain of recollec
ton stabbed through her. Dal
could do nothing; Dan was to b
himself entrapped; and yet, how
could that be2 Perhaps Pach
mann was lying and yet he hat
not seemed to be lying. He hat
spoken confidently, triumphantly
gloatingly.
She sat erect, listening, ther
stole to the door and placed ont
ear against it. There were step!
in the hall outside, steps which
passed, which mounted the stall
Perhaps that was Dan; yes, il
must be after 7 o'clock -
She forced herself to sit agar
at the window, but her hands were
trembling. She stared out into the
shadows of the little court anc
tried to think. But thinking was
so difficult; there was dull ache
at the back of her eyes, and he,
throat felt dry and swollen. One
thought ran through her mind
over and over: Dan must not be
sacrificed, Dan must not suffer
even if Germany must triumph
~
Then, suddenly, from overhead
came the sound of sharp scuffle
and heavy fall. She fancied she
could hear voices raised in anger
The slam of a door echoed through
the house. A moment later came
a series Of savage blows, of rend.
ing crashes, as though the house
itself was being torn to pieces =
and then silence.
Kasia stood as though turned to
stone, listining, listening. Was il
Dan? Was it her father9 What
was happening in that room up
stairs? What did that sudden 81
lence mean2 Her imagina ton pic
tured frightful things = -
And then, from overhead, she
heard the pacing of swift feet, up
and down, up and down; back and
forth 100 times, as though driven
by some raging spiriting, scourg-
ing, scourging. And then again
silence.
Horrible as the sounds had been,
the silence frightened her still
more it was filled with menace, it
was charged with terror. Move
ment, sound-those meant life, at
least; silence might mean any
thing might mean death!
She could endure it no longer,
She ran wildly into the other room
and flung herself face downward
on the bed, covering her ears
burying her eyes in the pillow
y .
But the terror passed; and al
last she rolled over and stared ur
into the darkness and tried again
to think. She must, must, must
escape! Once free, once in the
street, she could summon aid
could raise the town, could storm
the house! But to escape! She
pressed her hands to her aching
temples.
And then sound from the outer
room brought her upright; she
listened with bated breath, press
ing her hands against her breast tt
still the beating of her heart
There it was again, stealthy, scrap
ing sss
Slowly. cautiously, she stole t.
the door Of the bedroom; the noise
again; and the sound Of heavy
breathing. And then her hear
leaped suffocatingly; for Their,
against the grey light Of the win
dow was silhouetted the figure O
a man. In frantic terror, sh,
sprang for the switch, found i
after an instant's frenzied crop
ing, and turned on the lights. TIL
sudden flare blinded her; then he:
straining eyes saw who stoot
there.
DAM, she cried. .Danl'
He was standing on the windoy
sill, steadying himself by a knotte.
sheet secured somewhere over
u 4 y I. \ u =