Thomaston High School - Sea Breeze Yearbook (Thomaston, ME)

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SEA BREEZE 16 The next day Jerry followed Pierre's instructions and stayed in his room. He tried to read and rest but couldn't. As night approached, he walked the floor, pacing back and forth-- forth and back. Every moment was one of doubt and anxiety.. what if Pierre should be caught? what if the Gestapo should come there? Nhat if Pierre should fail? At this last thought, Jerry sweatedg for in his mind, he could see the peaceful countryside of England, a desolate battlefield, her cities flaming pyresg and her people slaughtered by the Nazi beasts. Suddenly at around eight, Jerry heard queer stumbling dragging steps on the stairs. A moment later and a knock sounded on his door. Jerry pressed his ear against the door panel. A hoarse rattle and labored breathing were plainly audible. He started to slowly open the door and then stopped, to stare at the floor. A thin stream of blood was scoping in on the carpet from the hall.' Jerry yanked open the door. Pierre stumbled in and then collapsed on the floor. Locking the door, Jerry quick- ly bent over him. Pierre opened his eyes and began to speak. NGestapo caught mc. --escaped--Lucotto has infor--information- address on envelope in pocket--go to alloy in back of house--knock on left wall--hurry-- Gestapo como-- I--N Jerry Pierre was Jerry staring at spoke to Pierre and lifted him up but it was no use for dead. lot P1crre's body slip from his arms and then stood up it. Loss than five hours left in which to roach this Lucette and meet the boat. Mentally cursing everything in general, and the Nazis in particular, he bent over and drew the blood-soaked envelope from Pierre's pocket. Reading the address, he found that it was only about two blocks away. He reached for his coat but his hands froze in uid-air. There were heavy running steps on the stair A moment and there was violent pounding on his door. The Gostapot He looked wildly around the rcom. Trapped! Nc, there was still a chance through the window. Jerry slipped on his coat and ran to the windcw...Momentnrily he poised on the window-sill---Twenty feet above the ground. Remembering that a drain pipe ran past the win- dow, he reached out and grasped it then he swung out into space. The p1po.swayed and crooked violently but luckily it hold. Ls he slid down the pipe, Jerry was unable to suppress a groan as the f skin on his hands and the side of his knees was turned into beds of rod hot fire. Just as his feet touched the ground there was a rc- sounding crash. Shouts rose in the night. Gunfire flashed from the window that Jerry had just loft. He felt a sharp burning pain in his shoulder and a marm stream of blood running down his arm. Doggedly he ran on dotorminod to roach Lucette. Behind him rose the tumult of pursuit. Closer they camo with each passing minute. At last rounding a corner Jerry found himself in the alley--a blind alley. Again he was trapped! He crouched against the left wall of the alloy, and tried in vain to stop the stream of pouring blood. He heard plainly the shouts of the Nazis as they followed his blood trail. His head began to swim and Jerry knew that he was about to faint from loss cf blood. As he plunged into the deep dark pool of unconsciousness, a thought flashed and reflashed through his mind. Failed! He and then m Jerry an anxious had failed! a triumphant shout--a ray of light--vcices- rciful darkness. came too, to find a beautiful girl bending over him with expression on her face which changed to a smile, as she saw him open his eyes. Ho realized that they were in some kind of cart, before he passed out aaain. 1 Y

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SEA BREEZE 15 The officer slowly arose and confronted the oringing youth. The room was silent except for the labored breathing of the tense mon. The officer spoke. MSO, perhaps you do that on purpose. Ne?n NNo, no, M'siour. It was an accident. I swear it was an accidcnt.H nAn accident. Always it is an accident.n My men are murdered and mis-directed, our supply trains are wrecked or blown up, and our communication lines are cut, and always it is-an accident. How long do you French swine think you can get away with it? Ars you such stupid dundorheads that you do not realize that we can and will retaliate with force? Do you understand, No?n He struck the youth a cruel blow that knocked him down. Jerry, his face white with anger, started to move forward to intervene, when he felt Piorre's hand on his arm and his voice in his ear. nNo, ne, M'siour Rawlins. Do you want to ruin our plans?N nBut that boy--N NM'sicur, come to your senses. You can not save him and also the millions of the British Is1es.' Jerry grimly realized that Pierre was right. The officer yanked the youth to his feet. HNow, let us hear you say, Heil Hitlerln He released the waiter and stepped back. The youth squared his shoulders and with a determined glint in his oyo looked straight at the Nazi officer. His words ran clear and cold in the silent room. HCurse Hitler! Long live De Gaulloln For a moment the Nazi gapod at the courageous youth and then with a bellow of rage struck him a blow that broke his jaw, Every Frenchman rose te his feet and started to move forward as ono man, but the Germans held them beck with drawn guns. Then the crazed officer, ignoring the youths mourns and shrieks of agony, brutally struck and kicked him again and again until at last where there had once been a human being, there was only a mass of quiver- ing broken bones and bleeding flesh. Then breathing heavily, the officer turned to the rest of the men in the cafe. nLot this little incident serve as a lessen to the rest of you not to forgot that we are thc masters and are to be obeyed.n : Throwing a contemptuous glance at the body, he gave a hard laugh and strode out followed by the remaining Nazis. h The youth died as they leaned ever him, and as he stood there ever the broken body, Jerry felt a hatred swelling up in him. A - cold blind hatred. Hatred of the Nazi and hatred of thc entire German race! As he turned to go, Jerry hoard someone in the crowd around the body say, N30 this is the work of our conqucrors.n Then someone answered him saying, UNO, No, my friend. Not thc work of the conquerors but of the victors. France and hor people may have been defeated but conquered--novorln

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SEA BREEZE 17 when he next regained consciousness, Jerry found himself in a boat with the girl forcing a burning liquid down his throat. when she saw that he was conscious, she smiled and spoke to him. You are feeling better now, M'sieur, Rawlins, No? Jerry grinned. nSure, I feel 0.K. Outside of a very funny feeling in my head.W I The girl laughed a delightful rich laugh. nNaturally you feel funny in the heed, as you say, M'sieur. You have lost a lot of blood. Oh, but you Britlshers are a hard lot to k1ll.n Jerry grinned back at her. A guy couldn't help grinning when she smiled. She had such darned pretty teeth and cute dimples. Then Jerry came too with a start. nHey, where are we? who are you? The information I--N nPlcase, H's1eur, everything is all right, new. We are in a boat on our way to England, in fact, we are almost there. My name is Lucette Lenoir. Pierre was my brother. The information is in that letter in your pocket.n nHm,hmhJ nYou want to know how you get here, M'sieur?H 'Yes, and the papers, where did you get them?N nP1orre gave me the papers before he came to you M'sieur. Ho was afraid that tho Gestapo would catch him with the papers, before he reached you and he thought that should you and he be caught, I could meet the bo-t and tgke the information to England. I was waiting at tho hidden door that opened into thc alley from our gar- den where Pierre said that he would send or bring you, when I heard you run into the alley. Before I could open the door, you faintod, but fortunately I managed to drag you in and shut the door before the Nazis arrived. Then with the help of my servant, I bandaged your wounds, smuggled you to the beach, and met the boat. That is all. The rest you know.' Jerry gazed at Luoette in admiration and muttered: Nwhat a gall What a galiu nwhat did you say M'sieur Rawlins?H nEr--nothing, Lucette.H NOui, M'sieur?n NI--well that is--well you-- oh, darn! Lucette, has anyone ever told you Low beautiful you are?n WJerreetlI Lucette flushed n beautiful pink, but her eyes hold a sparkling challenge and a glowing promise. 'Jerry grinned and closed his eyes. He was very tired and very, very happy. His Hperilous missicnu had been successfully completed. Eugene Jellison '44 That'ihgrovin5,It. Mr. Banks, the principal, paused outside the third-grade door to wipe his glasses. Two boys from Longfellow School had been in the Philippines with MacArthur, and all mcrning Mr. Banks had seen them in every room he visited. ' It took Mr. Banks a while to clear his glasses: then he opened the door and went in. The class settled tc attention. Miss Lee, the young teacher, looked troubled.