Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 19, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 January 1914 — SERIAL STORY The Isolated Continent [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

SERIAL STORY

The Isolated Continent

A Romance of Use Future

By Guido von Horvath and Dean Hoard

Oopjniht, 1918, by W. Q. Chapman in tba Uultad Sums and Cheat Britain. 1 CHAPTER I. Astra’s Inheritance. A gloomv foreboding of approaching disaster hung over the capital. Hannibal Prudent, ex-President of the United Republics, was dangerously ill. The people walked quietly and talked in subdued tones, as though they feared to disturb him. Hannibal Prudent, the scientist whose invention had saved the country, eighty-four years ola, but he had carried the weight of his years lightly and had worked unceasingly. On a flying trip to Labrador he had contracted a severe cold which developed into pneumonia. Just as the disease was nearing the crisis a curious thing happened, something that had not happened In the half-c,entujy which had passed since he had put an Isolator between America and the other continents. — A wireless message had come from Europe. The great man had been awakened by the ringing of the 4,500-mile bell on. the small electro-stylograph that stood by hie bedside. To his astonishment the indicator that automatically registered the sending station pointed to Berlin, Germany. He stared in amazement at the instrument and saw epark following spark on its small, square, milk-glass plate. He put forth a shaking hand and adjusted the receiving horn. The electric sparks then formed a picture—a moving picture that trflked! A man in military uniform looked at him from* the picture and a clear voice with a German accent said in English: “Professor Prudent?” v “Yes, sir. Hannibal Prudent.” The figure bowed reverently. “I am Count Von Werdenstein. As you see, I have bored through your isolating rays with my sparks of electricity. This is the beginning. The next time I talk to you there will be nothing to keep the fleet of consolidated Europe from entering the ports of the Americas. lam giving you this warning because I admire you—you were my honored father’s teacher.” The figure on the plate bowed again, then vanished. Hannibal Prudent gazed curiously at the glass of the apparatus, trying to believe that he had experienced a vision; but when he saw the words of clearly printed by the magnificent instrument on a sheet of paper by the stylus he fainted. The vitality that could combat physical suffering could not bear the menacing news that the little instrument had brought. When he opened hie eyes his daughter Astra stood at the bedside and the house physician was counting his pulse. The scientist still held Werdensteln’s message crumpled up in his old fingers—the meesage that conveyed such crushing news. Impatiently, as one who knows his time is short. he asked to be left alone with his daughter. As the door closed behind the doctor he cried out in agony: “All my hopes and all my life work are threatened. I had hoped that here where I had established it peace wouldi abide —peace that has 6pread comfort, contentment and happiness over our continent; peace that created and conserved fortunes greater than any ever before known to man; peace that permitted developments so high that even the boldest would not have dared to dream them fifty years ago. “All this will go.” His voice failed for a moment. “Read this." As the startled girl read Werdenstein's messages he cried bitterly: “They want vengeance.” He felt his own pulse, watching the large chronometer on the wall opposite his bed. “My will is in the safe in my library. Here is 'the key. The Europeans think that the 2/ray alone hinders them from entering our beloved country, but they are mistaken.” He gasped for air. “I will defy them again. Astra, write what I have to say." His breath came gaspingly; hia clear eyes grew dull; a whirlwind eeenied to possess the great brain that had been able to create peace in America for half a century. Astra watched him with apprehension; she did not speak, as she realized that it would be a waste of time, and the short time left her adopted father was precious indeed. The old man rested a moment, then seeing Astra was ready, he said: “When the isolation has been brpk-, en through or destroyed (both are possible, if one knows how), then new isolations must be created, one ray after another. We can gain a year that way, abd that year must be used to prepare for war. War! That hor ror will destroy the work or a peaceful country. *But we are forced to It; wo will win* and peace wiireome for-

ever. Plane are ready for a new craft that will be Invincible. 'Navigation Of the air will solve'the problem." His voic& had grown so weak that Astra could hardly understand him, but she had taken every word down in shorthand. ;,, “Don’t grieve when I am dead. I died in peace. All my life I have been a true apostle of that gospel—but hurry! Hurry to the island of—” He drew himself up with his last strength; an inarticulate sound came from his lipe; he beckoned to Astra for the pencil and paper and forced his shaking hand to write one word: “Cirynith,” ran the zigzag lines of the shaking old hand, then the pencil fell from his fingers. Calm at °l p over '"ffie face of the man who had lived for one great Idea, “Peace." He had found it, but his last words advised “War.” Astra looked sorrowingly at her father. Tears filled her eyes as she catted tbe doetor. r But Hannibal Prudent had reared her, and after the first burst of grief she remembered her duty. Taking the message from -Europe and her notes, she hurried for her father’s library With a steddy hand she transcribed her notes on the typewriter, but when she came to the word written by Hannibal Prudent, “Cirynith,” the tears came again. She could not understand the theaning of the - command: “Hurry to the island of Cirynith." Was there an island of that name? She had never heard of it. While Astra was in her father’s library the sad news spread through the city. The stylographed extras began to appear at the automatic news stand. The short paragraph telling about the wifeless message from Germany alarmed everybody. More than fifty years before, in the year 1919, the now prosperous and peaceful United States had experienced a great disaster. New emigration laws and the new tariff had precipitated an international conflict that had involved not only the leading European monarchies but Japan and China as well. The ultimatum came from the East and the West. Europe was mobilizing-qn one side; the orientals on the other; all the nations against one. The question was whether It was best to bow before the will or the united enemy, or to lose independence. Congress seemed unable to decide. The time given the United States for consideration was rapidly passing. The President was in despair. He gave orders to the fleet and land forces, but in his heart he cried, “What is the use?” The, night before the day of final answer h® stood before the window looking hopelessly into the Btarless darkness. Suddenly a man’s head appeared at the window. The next moment the intruder jumped into the room. Before the surprised executive could cry out the intruder exclaimed: “For three days I have tried to gain an audience with you, but in vain. Since I know that tomorrow will be too late I have forced by way to you." “What brings you here?” the President asked. “My desire to save my country, to repulse the enemy. I can defend the entire continent against any invasion. Don’t think me mad—l am not; I have invented the greatest power. To be exact, I have discovered it. A man who solves one of nature’s problems is not an inventor but a discoverer. My discovery is an invisible power that resists all attack. Don't doubt me before I have finished. I will create

around mg a circle that will defend me and will ask you to try to touch me.” He took a small Instrument from his pocket, and. stepping back from the president, the continued: “When I motion toward you try to touch me.” He manipulated springs on tbe instrument, then signaled to the President. The executive, stretched his arm toward him. An Invisible force bent first hi? hand, then his arm back. He could not touch the man from any side. After several experiments the astounded President was convinced of tbe Importance of the discovery. The intruder removed the force from shout him and told of his plans to save the country. They talked until long after the first rays of the morning sun shone through the windows. When the midnight visitor had finished bis confidences the President's face was brighter than It had been for maby days. The careworn expression was gone. He escorted bis visitor lb the gate, putting his hand familiarly on his shoulder as he bade him goo<} morning. ,

The midnight visitor was Hannibal Prudent, the greatest scientist of the new world. —— The President spent the morning preparing dispatches for the representatives of the European and oriental nations. He gave them twenty-four hours to order their vessels from American waters, advising themHhat If they bad not obeyed the order in that time the United States would not be responsible for their future. The new laws that had been formulated by the United States government and which were so objectionable to the powers would stand, and the United States would see that they were enforced. ■...Thxfee lator created a current of the impenetrable Z ray that isolated whole American continent from tfye rest of the world. . Fifty years had passed: fifty years of independent peace. The Central and South American republics had joined the great United States and a confederacy was formed that secured their independence and the freedom of commerce. Those fifty years of peace had created wealth, happiness and a° scientific progress such as had never been equaled. Now the man whose genius had made this possible lay dead, and hie last words urged preparation for war. Astra sat before her father’s desk; before her lay a document that demanded careful study—the will of her adopted father. She did not look at the long list of bonds and stocks; she did not care for the vast wealth that from now on would belong to her alone. The paper she was reading contained farreaching instructions, prophetic insight into the future. The last page was a farewell letter: “My dear Astra, knowing that I aA nearing the limit of human existence, and that rest awaits me after a long and full life, I set down such facts as will enable you to make the best use of the knowledge that I, the old tree, wish perpetuated in the blossoming plant; It Is you who will be responsible for the coming prosperity of the country. God gave you a broad mind that has developed to its fullest capacity under my care and I am proud of you, dear girl; you are chosen to do great things for yoUr country and humanity. “There is only one man' on earth who is worthy of calling you wife; you will find this man, or he will come to you, as you two are ordained mates, comrades. “When I go to my rest I feel that I will leave turbulent times behind me. My Z ray will not remain impenetrable forever, and when the day comes that it is destroyed, the country will need a brave, competent man to drive away the dreadnaughts. He will come, as he has been fully instructed. Trust in him, my dear daughter. "This country waß not developed to be blasted by war; the adventures of warfare and strife are not for It. Our Creator selected this country to promote freedom, equality and science. Thundering cannons shall never mom sound on our shore; our land shall be a land of Jove and peace. "I have labored, hard to spread this gospel. After I am gone the task Is your inheritance, dear Astra. "Before I die I will tell you where to find the one man competent to assist you and will further instruct you Id your duty. “God bless you, my daughter, you have ever been my joy and pride.” Astra put down the paper, and, staring out into the beautiful garden, murmured to herself: “Hurry to the Island, of Cirynith! Cirynith ? I have never heard of the place, and he left no specific instructions.” The entrauce of John, a faithful old servlnt, woke her from her reverie*. With shaking lips he announced that a reporter for the Houfly Stylograph wished to see her. Folding up the documents, Astri locked them In the safe, then said, "I will receive him at once in the green, room.” The servant' left. Astra hesitated for a moment, then she said aloud, with quiet determination: "Father, I will accept the inheritance. I will wait for him to come and help me; I will take the burdens on my shoulders and faithfully carry out your teachings. God help me to!” CHAPTER 11. Nominee of the Continentals. Morning found the great capital In the splendor of deep mourning. The elevated sidewalks, the roof gardens, the terraces weje crowded by people dressed in black. The newspaper roof terraces were especially crowded; there, on immense opal glass plates sparks of electricity printed the latest news and illustrated the happenings of the moment witb moving pictures. On the main tower of the new capltol building (a colossal creation of pure American architecture) the Bell Orchestra, comprising four hundred players, played the march of “Coming Peace.” a march that thrilled the hearts witb its melody, that elevated the souls with thoughts of Heaven, that drove away evil thoughts wttn its exquisite barmony and foretold tbe happiness awaiting beyond. Resonant horns spread tbe melody farther and farther, until it soothed the mourning people in neighboring towns. „ The fourteen-hdur San Francisco limited bad just slid Into the central depot of the Tube Lines; the broad glass doors were flung open and the passengers hurried out (TO CONTINUED.)

The Great Man Had Been Awakened By the Ringing of the 4,500-mile Bell.