Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-07-12
THE DAY OF WRATH
A STORY OF 1914
By Louis Tracy

mans ghoulish jabbering. the sobs Of the
women, the painting of two exhausted dogs
and the wailing Of the child, who wanted
his fathers arms around him rather than
a strangers, supplied tragic chorus which
Ill beguiled that Via Dolorosa along the
heights Of the Meuse.
Irene insisted on taking the boy for a
time, and the youngster ceased his plant
at once.
THAT a blessed relief" she conhded 70
Daroy, I'm not afflicted with nerves, but
this poor little chaps crying was more than
| could bear"
He is too heavy that you should carry
him far" he protested
You're very much Of a man, Arthur"
she said quietly. you don't realize, I sup
pose, that nature gives us women strong
arms for this very purpose"
II hadn't thought of that. The fact Is,
I'm worried I have a doubt at the back
Of my head that we ought to be going the
other way"
which other way7"
In precisely the opposite direction"
But what can we do? At what stage
In our wanderings up to this very moment
could we have parted company with our
friends? Do you know, | have horrible
feeling that we have brought good deal
Of avodahle misery on their heads? II we
! hadn't gone to the mill"
They would probably all have been dead
by this time, and certainly both homeless
and friendess." he interrupted. Then he
began telling her the fate of Wise, but was
brought up short by an imperative whisper
from Pochard
They were talking English. without
realizing it, and Huy was near.
And why carry that sword?" added the
Frenchman TT is useless, and most
dangerous Thrust it into a ditch"
Dalroy obeyed promptly He had thought
lessly dlsregarded the sinister outcome II
patrol found him with such weapon in
his hand.
They came TO Huy by a winding road
through a suburb, meeting plenty Of soldiers
strollinR to and from bilets. Luck be-
friended them at this ticklish moment, None
saw a little party turning into lane which
led to the back Of the villa tenanted by
Monsieur Pochards married sister. This
lady proved both sympathetic and helpful.
The cart with it's sad freight, was housed
in a woodshed at the bottom Of the garden,
and the dogs were stabbed in the gar
dener's potting shed,
THE ladies' can share my bedroom and
my daughters" she said. You men must
sleep in the greenhouse, as every remaining
room is filed with Uhlans. Their supper is
ready now, but there is plenty, Come and
eat before they arrive They left on patrol
duty early this morning"
And that is where tho fugitives expert
enCed a stroke Of amazing good fortune
That particular batch Of Uhlans never re-
turned u was supposed that they were cut
Oft while scouting along the Tirlemont road
Apparently their absence only contributed TO
an evening Of quiet talk and a night of un-
disturbed rest In reality, II saved the lives
Of the whole party, including the hostess
and her family,
Early next morning Monsieur Pochard
interviewed an undertaken, and Madame
zoos was laid 10 rest in the nearest ceme-
terv MaertZ Madame StauUaert and
Leontine attended the funeral Joos showed
signs OF collapse. His mind wandered. He
thought his wife was living, and in YER
viers They encouraged the delirum and
dosed him with a narcotic,
Irene helped In the kitchen and Dalroy
dug the garden. Thus the confederacy re-
mained split up during the morning, and
| was not noticed by an officer who came to
inquire about the missing Uhlans.
About noon Monsieur Pochard drew Dali
roy aside. Monsieur" he said, and his
| face wore anxious lines, last night the old
man implied that he was Henri Joos. OF
| Wise. No. please listen. I don't want 70 be
told. / can only give you certain facts and
| leave you 70 draw your own conclusions.
Active inquiries are being made by the su-
thorites for Henri Joos, Elizabeth Joos.
| Leontins Joos, their daughter and Jan
Maertz, all Of Wise. With them are an
| Englishwoman aged twenty and an English
| oficer named Dalroy. both dressed as Bel
| gian peasants The appended descriptions
seem 10 be remarkably accurate and a re-
ward Of 1000 marks is offered for their
/ capture"
'They may be willing to pay double the
| price for freedom" said Dalroy.
The Frenchman was not offended. He
realised that this was not suggestion Of a
txo1 have not heard al,r he continued.
.sIhtaa people we're traced 10 Vcrviafs bui
-fha frSl wAH lost ett1f Akaert1 bonNhoa =