Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-07-16
THE DAY OF WRATH
A STORY OF 1914
BY Louis Tracy

Quite likely I was drunk every day
then"
burst Of laughter.
Lucky dog :"
"Ach, was what's the good of having
been drunk so long ago? There isn't bottle
Of wine now within five miles"
Tell us then, Herr Kaporal, do We re-
main here till dawn"
Dalroy grew family interested. II was
absurd to harbor the slightest expectation
Of Jan Maertz bringing succor. but one
might at least analyze the position, though
the only visible road led straight to a firing
party
Those were our orders" answered
Franz Things may he altered now. You
fellows haven't grasped the real value of
this cop. 1t wasn't stated on the notice,
but somebody of much more Importance
than any ordinary officer was interested in
the girl being caught-she far more than
the man"
We'll, well! Tastes differ! A peasant
like that :"
you silly ass she's no peasant. That's
the worst Of living in suburb. You ac-
quire no standard of comparison"
These men were Beriners, and were
amused by sly dig at some locality which,
like Koepenck offered a butt for German
humor
Hello isn't that a carr" said one
There was silence. The drumming of a
the patter Of the rain.
Attention - growled Franz. A few
troopers went to the picSeted horses The
others lined up A closed motorcar ar
rived. It's brilliant headlights proclaimed
the certain fact that the presence of Bel
| gian troops in that locality was not feared.
| Dalroy recognized this at once, and forth
! with dismissed from his mind the last shred
| of hope
The chauffeur was a soldier. BY his side
sat the usual armed escort Georg galloped
up. Oombergen was only mile and a half
distant. and the road through the wood
was in such a condition that the car was
compelled to travel slowly.
A cloaked stan officer alghtcd. The hus-
sarS stood stiff as so many ramroads. The
newcomer took their salute punCtiliously,
but his tone in addressing the corporal was
far from gracious.
whats this unlikely tale you've sent in
| to headquarters" he demanded harshly.
Il don't think I'm mistaken, Herr Haupt-
| mann" was the answer I've got that Eng
| lish captain and the lady wanted at Wise
They've virtually admitted it."
| Where are they?"
The man is sitting there against the
wall The lady is in the barn. Stand up,
| prisoner"
Franz snatched away the cloak. Dalroy
| rose to his feet. He was smiling at the
ruthlessness of Fate. He was still smiling
| when Captain Won Halwig, of the Prussian
| Imperial Guard, flashed an electric torch in
| his face II was unnecessary, perhaps, to
render thus easy the task of recognition
| But what did it matter? That lynx of
| corporal was sure of his ground, and would
| refuse to be gainsaid even by stan officer
| and a guardsman.
"Then it is really your" he said quietly in
! English.
Yes" replied Dalroy
The torch was switched off Dalroy's
| eyes were momentary blinded by the glare,
! but he heard an ugly chuckle.
where is the female prisoner?' said Won
| Halwig, with a formality that was as per-
| picking as his subdued manner.
Here, Herr Hauptmann."
The two entered the barn, So far as
! Dalroy could judge, no word was spoken
| The torch fiared again, remained lighted a
! full half-minute and was extinguished.
Won Halwig reappeared, seemed to ponder
matters and turned to the corporal
Put the woman in my car he said.
| Fall in your men, and be ready to escort
me back to the village. You've done
! good days work, corporal"
Two men have gone in pursuit Of. Jan
Maertz, sir"
| "Neyer mind. They'll have sense enough
| TO come on to headquarters II they eaten
him. How is this Englishman secured?"
The jubant Franz explained.
|
trooper can squeeze in in front Of the car.
Has the female prisoner dagger or
pistol?'
81 have not searched her Herr Haupt-
mann" -.,-,- A.
courtesy. No, leave this fellow here at
| nresent want a few words with him in
! nrIyate Assemble your men around the
! car. and take the woman there now
| Irene was led out. She paused in the
| doorway. and the corporal thought she did
not know what she was wanted for
'You are 10 be conveyed in the automo-
bile, Fraulein," he said
ANT she was looking for Dalroy in the
gloom. Before any one could interfere, she
raj and threw her arms around him. kissing
him on the lips
baart-broken way. I'VE may not meet
again on this earth, but ! am yours TO al
| eternity"
'"With these words in my ears shall
die happy" said Dalroy. Her embrace
thrilled him with a strange ecstasy yet th'
main Of that parting was worse than death
Were ever lovers VOWS plighted In sucf
conditions in the history OF this gray ole
world?
Il would be undignihed TO resist. kissing
Dalroy again, she whispered a last choking
farewell, and suffered her guide to take he
where he willed. She walked with stun
hing feet. Her eyes were dimmed witt
tears; but, sustained by the pride OF he
race. she refused TO sob. and bit her lowe
lip in dauntless resolve not TO yield.
The rain was beating down now In heav.
e,,sts Won Halwig. II he had no concerl
for the comfort OF the troopers, had a goo,
tcop,r,rhs. Ed~ard J. cloani
fcONTINuED TOMORROW