He stepped toward Ulrike and took from her the burden of her daughter, then all three hastened after Luddoff, already nearly out of sight among the trees ahead.

67 Reunion

67

Reunion

Three women huddled together on a loose pile of straw against an interior stable wall. It was the warmest place they could find in the barn, whose ancient brick walls had enough holes and cracks to admit any weather—wind or rain or snow, and especially cold—wanting to get through. But the roof was sound, and the stable against which they leaned hadn’t seen occupants in some time.

Therefore they were dry. And the warmth of their own bodies, with straw piled above the two blankets they possessed between them, had made the previous night a tolerably comfortable one.

Today, however, had been long and chilly. With night again descending, and the wind whistling mournfully through those cracks and holes, their spirits had finally begun to sag.

The mother of the two teenage girls did her best to keep worry and melancholy from overtaking her, but the silent prayers she sent heavenward were evidence that she was all too conscious of the danger to women found alone and defenseless by enemy soldiers.

They had heard footsteps, or thought they had, all day.

It was hard to tell. The blustering wind outside gave a fearsome tone to everything. There had been what sounded like a wagon passing once, a herd of cows—that could not be mistaken!—and then, midway through the afternoon, what could not have been other than six or eight soldiers. They tried the padlocked door—and shook it two or three times—while the three women crouched inside in terrified prayer. Apparently thinking better of busting it to pieces, finally they continued on.

Now night was falling again. And the hours dragged tediously by.

Suddenly voices sounded outside!

The mother pulled the blanket up around their shoulders, then stretched her arms around the two girls and pulled them toward her tightly.

The door shook. They could hear people talking! Hands fumbled with the lock!

Suddenly the rickety wood door swung wide. A blast of frigid wind sent straw and dust flying, as the glare of a lantern illuminated the darkened enclosure.

A large man stood in the windy light. They recognized nothing of him! Who could it be?

He stood but an instant, glancing around as if seeking them. They slunk deeper into their hiding place of straw.

Now the man walked forward into the barn. What looked to be a young family followed him. Who were these people?

Suddenly another silhouette came into view! The aching eyes of the three fell upon a familiar face bringing up the rear—a familiar bearded face!

Now the six newcomers were startled in their turn. The next instant gasps of joy erupted from amid straw flying in the air and three bodies rushing toward them from out of the barn’s darkness.