Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-07-14
THE DAY OF WRATH
A STORY OF 1914
BY Louis Tracy

The building had evidently been meant to
house stock only There was no dwelling
attached II had served, too, as a ralying
point during some recent sCrtmmagc. The
outer walls were chlpped with bullets, the
doors had been torn Off and burnt; 10 was
typical Of Belgium under German rule-a
husk given fictitious life by the conquerors
horses and men,
Irene had seen Jan make Off while Dal-
roy lurChed slowly nearer. She could not
hear the fierce whisper which bade their
sturdy ally bolt for the trees and, II ne got
away, implore a strong Belgian patrol TO
come to the rescue. But she knew that
some daring Cxpedient 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
run. Letting go the girl he swung on MS
heel and raised the carhinc.
Dalroy had foreseen that this might hap
pen. with calm courage that was superb
because of its apparent lack of thought he
had placed himself in the direct line of fire.
Standing with his hands in his pockets and
laughing loudly, he first glanced over his
shoulder AT the vanishing Macrtz, and then
guffawed into the hussar's face.
He's done a bunk :" he cried cheorfully.
you said he might go, Herr Unteroiilcier.
so he hoped it without even saying Aut
wiodersehn.'"
Meanwhile, as he was steadily masking
tho Germans aim he might have been
shot without warning. But the ready COM
ment baffled the other for a few precious
seconds, and the men in the barn helped un-
consciously by chatting their comrade.
You've got your hands full with the
girl, Franz" said one
whats she like?" bawled another. "I
can only see a pair of slim ankles and n
dirty face"
THAT'S all you will see George" said
hplipNipR "A RelEiln
peasant had merely bolted in panic. This
little bit Is mine by the laws of war. Hero
you" he added, surveying Dalroy quite
amcaby, be of to your aunt! You'll
probably be shot at Oosterzeele; but that's
your affair. not mine"
"You don't know my aunt" said Dali
roy. I'd sooner face a regiment of sol
diers than stand her tongue If l go home
without her niece"
If he hoped TO placate this staggering
scoundred by display Of good humor he
failed lamentaby An ugly CLINT shone
in the mans eyes, and he handled the
carbine again threateningly.
TO he'll with you and your aunt !" he
snarled Perhaps you don't know IT, you
Flemish fool, but you're a German now and
must obey orders. Cut after your pal be-
fore | count three, or I'll put daylight
through you One, two"
Then the hapless Irene committed a
second and fatal error, though it was par
donable in the frenzy of a tragic dilemma
since the next moment might see her lover
ruthessly murdered. To lump all German
soldiers into one category was a bad mis-
take 1t was far worse to change her accent
from the crude speech Of the province of
Liege to the high-suunding periods Of Berlin
society
How dare you threaten unoffending peo-
pie in this way?" she almost screamed "I
demand that you send for an officer, and
ASK inc other men Of your regiment to
bear witness we have done nothing what
soeFer to warrant your brutal behavior"
The Hussar stood though he, and not
Dalroy had been silenced by a bullet Ha
lstehed 10 the girls outburst with an ex-
preston Of blank amazement which soon
gave place to sinister smile
'Gnadiges Fraulein," he answered, sprinr-
ing TO attention" and affecting a con-
sclence-sticken tone, Il cry your pardon.
But Is 1t not your own fault why should
such charming young lady masuuerade
as Belgian peasant"
On hearing the man speak as n we'll
educated Berlner, Irene became deathIv
Whlte under the tan and CRIME OF so many
days and nights Of exposure. She nearly
tainted and might have fallen had not
DaIroy caught her. Even then when their
position was all but hopeless, he made one
last attempt to throw dust in the crafty
eyes which were now piercing both Irene
and himself with the baneful glare of n
tiger about to spring.
My cousin has been a governess in
Berlin" he said deferentially "She isn't
AFRAID Of soldiers as a rule. but you have
nearly frightened her to death"
Their captor stil examined them in n
way that chilled even the Englishman's
dauntless heart He was summing them
up much as detective might scan the
features Of pair of half-recognzed Grim
inals TO whom he could not altogether allot
their proper places in tho Rogues' Gallery.
You see, she's ill.," urged Dairoy.
''Maynt we go? My aunt keeps a decent
cellar I'll come back with some good
wine"
Never relaxing that gowerlng scrutiny,
the corporal shouted suddenly, Come here,
Georg!"
The man thus hailed by name strobe
forward, With him came three Others
Irene's fluent German and the parade at
titude assumed by Franz having aroused
their curiosity.
you used to have a good memory for
descriptions Of 'wanteds Georg. Can you
recall the names and appearance Of the
English captain and the girl there was
such fuss about at Argenteau a month
ago?"
Georg, a strongly built, rather iovial-
looking Hanoverian, grinned
Better than leaving things to guess
work, | have It in my pocket" he said.
thousand marks are worth a penciled note
my boy Halves, If these are they"
Dalroy knew then that he, and possibly
Irene, were doomed A struggle was i'm
possible. Franz's reference TO Oosterzeele
being in German occupation forbade the
least hope Of succor by a Belgian force
There was a hundred-to-one chance that
Irene's life might be spared and he re-
solved to take it, II was pitiful TO feel
the girl trembling, and he gave her arm
an encouraging squeeze
Georg was fumbllng in the breast of his
tunic when he seemed 10 realize that IL
was raining heavily.
why the devil stand out here II we're
going 20 hold court Of inqury?" he
cried.
Evidently the iron discipline Of the Ger
man army was somewhat relaxed in the
Death Head Hussars.
GO TO the barn" commanded Franz
and, mind, you pig OF an EnglshmAn
no talking till you're spoken to-
(copyrjeht Edward H. clode)