Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 30, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 February 1914 — SERIAL STORY [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

SERIAL STORY

===The Isolated Continent A Romance of the frtttnrc -

By Guido von Horvath and Dean Hoard

Oopyright, MU, by W. G. Cbtposn In tbs Datted tUMss sad OisMßrltsla. % SYNOPSIS.

For fifty year* the continent of North America had been Isolated from the rest of the world by the use of Z-raye, a wonderful Invention of Hannibal Prudent The Invention had saved the country from foreign Invasion, and the continent had been united under one government with Prudent as president. For half a century peace and prosperity reigned In this part of the world. The stofy opens with President Prudent critically 111. His death Is hastened by the receipt of a message from Count von Werdenstein of Germany that he has at last succeeded m penetrating the rays. Dying, he warns his daughter Astra that this means a foreign invasion. He tells her to hurry to the Island of Ctrynith, but dies before he can tell the location of the place. Astra Is nominated for the presidency by the continental party. Napoleon Edison calls on Astra, Informs her that he was a pupil of her father's, and - promises to hslp her. He gives her a ring made of a newly- discovered substance which, he says, will solve the problem of flying. Chevalier dl Leon appears in Europe. He notes that preparations have been completed for an Invasion of America. He calls on von Werdenstein and offers him the secret of making gold. He demands In rsturn absolute disarmament and peaoe.

CHAPTER V.—Continued. Seemingly it was a pleasant, enjoyable social affair, with everything so smooth and polished that one might easily make a dangerous « slip and break his own neck. When Chevalier di Leon arrived in his apartment he was well aware that lie had been followed, but he did not care. He was thinking of the bewitching Countess Rosiny. Where had he met her? At last he found the place in his well classified memories. ""The American Case Restaurant,” he ejaculated. Then without further delay he went to bed. The chancellor sat in his library awaiting report of his followers. As soon as he received the information that the chevalier had gone to bed and Was safely sleeping he did likewise, but he did f not sleep as soundly as di Leon. He had troubled dreams. The reports that the chancellor received from the men who were following the chevalier the next day were not exciting. He bad visited the museums, studied new industries and, in face, was interested in everything. Shortly before nightfall he went to his hangar, brought out his ’plane and cruised about above the city, finally ascending to such a height that he almost vanished from the eyes of the detectives. By ten o’clock he was again at the hotel. Saturday evening the chevalier attended the house ball at the palace of the Countess even played at the card tables, losing a few gold pieces. The detectives obtained a number of twenty mark coins and sent them to the chancellor with their report; every one was of nineteenth century make. The Countees Rosiny Was summoned to a long confidential talk. No ono knew what they discussed, but when the countess was home and alone In her dainty, perfumed boudoir, she locked the door and flnng herself on her sola, weeping bitterly. “I —I shall betray him, the first real man 1 have ever seen; besides, how can I be certain that he will Hive me?” She clenched her little fist and shook _ it at the portrait of a man who happened to be her hußband. “You fiend, see what you have made of me!” Everything went smoothly; nobody Interfered with the chevalier’s actions, although be knew every move he made was watched. One evening, after returning from one of his daily aerial trips, as he Jumped out of his machine, a dark robe was cast over his head and a number of men grasped him. He struggled, but strong hands held him fast, and a few minutes later he was bound and nearly suffocated by a heavy cloth that shut out the air. Than the cloth was removed and a tight fitting bandage placed over his eyes. “Will the chevalier promise to keep quiet?" asked a strange voice. “For. in that case, I will not be forced to gag him.” ”1 promise," was the helplejs chevalier’s answer. He was placed on a stretcher like affair and carried away. He could not see. but hie sense of bearing told him that they carried him to a near by hangar; there he was placed in some kind of a tonneau and he heard the chug, chug of a very -powerful motor. The buzx of the propelled followed. The next moment he felt the lifting of the aeroplane; the air craft made one torn, then shot out under fall power. Several boars passed without change, but when the machine began to descend he recognised the fresh, salty air of the ocean, and he beard the water break on the rocks 'a a peculiar, mournful manner. The machine landed and he heard

molded talk, bat could not understand It. At last he was lifted out from the tonneau of the machine and carried into a building where the bandage was removed from his eyes and the ropes cut.

He found himself in a simply furnished, clean room with a uniformed officer standing beside him. “Chevalier di Leon, this is your room: tomorrow we willshave a talk." He saluted courteously and, turning on his heels, left, locking the door behind him,

CHAPTER VI. The Message From Helgoland. The election was over. Astra Prudent, daughter of Hannibal Prudent, had been elected President of the United Republics of America. The dignified Ambrosio Hale won the vicepresidency. The elections of the southern republics took place at different dates, but throughout the continent the continentals were in power. The girl, upon whom future responsibilities rested heavily, was strengthening herself for coming events. She was occupied consulting politicians, generals, admirals, making flying trips to the fortifications that' were rapidly going up, or being remodeled according to the new requirements of the times.

Constantly she expected news from the man she had seen only ones, the man whom she looked upon as the deliverer of the American continent, and also the man she loved. Days, weeks, months went by. The day of Inauguration came. She had expected confidently that she would hear from him, or see him on the day she took the oath at the capitol, but she was disappointed.

The whole American continent celebrated the day, but it was empty of Joy for her, the President. She appeared in white, simple, beautiful, unadorned except for the ring which he had given and she always wore. She looked like a bride on her way to the altar with the man she had chosen.

The ceremonies occupied almost the entire day, and the evening was epent at the ball given by the continentalists. Throughout the congratulations that were received a shadow was hovering over all It was late when Astra arrived at her home. She looked over the correspondence that awaited her. There was no line from the man whose handwriting she had never seen, no news whatever from Napoleon Edison. Yet he had said: “You will hear from me as soon as I can tell you something definite. When you need me 1 will be at your side ready to help you.” With these thoughts to console her she bent her head to sleep. The President was at her office early the next morning. Her first official action was to consult with the military commanders, then to send out a proclamation to all the republics of the greatest union of the world, giving them detailed Instructions regarding the defense of the continent. In accordance with the decision of the most competent military men, General Eugene Grant Gunner was appointed commander in chief of the continental armies of America. Extensive arrangements were made to enlist those who were willing to take up arms for the defense of their country, and the old form of national guard tactics were revived.

Astra labored day and night though she prayed that God would prevent the bloodshed for which she was preparing—hey—people. Suohwere—her thoughts and still no news came from the man who had promised so much. Her cheeks began to lose l heir color-, and her large eyes often looked longingly Into the distance. “Why does he not come? Why does he not send a message?” • The Vice-president, Mr. Hale, was announced to her one evening. He

bowed deeply before her as the President, then with the familiar air of a close friend, he took Astra’s hand in his. “My dear girl,” he began, ”1 am much troubled: your efforts will undermine your health. The rosea on your cheeks are already turning pale. You should think of yourself in the interest of the union, or you will be ill. 1 My dear Astra, you knovf how much I —l adore you.” He had retained Astra’s hand, but at these words she slowly withdrew 1L “I first saw you when under the care of your father, watched you develop, strong and beautiful. I wish you would lft me carry at least part of your burden. I am a man and I can stand more than a frail woman." The girl president blushed; taking

this for encouragement, Mr. Hals continued : “Astra, I love you; will you be my wife?” _ The statesman stood helpless before the girl who smiled kindly at him. “Sit dpwn, Mr. Vice-president, and be good enough to listen to me." He obeyed and Astra sat down opposite him. “Your proposal honors me, Mr. Vicepresident;-. I am sorry that I am unable to accept it. The times that we arc living in are Such that matters such as this would be ,out of place, and while you have all my sympathy, I cannot tell you that you have my love.”

A sigh escaped her lips; she thought of the man whom she loved, for whom she felt that she was created. She yearned to say soothing words to the friend of her father, but just then a sharp ringing sounded through the whole suite, It was a signal for extremely important communications and she left hurriedly with a glance pleading for Hale’s pardon. A moment later Astra was in the library putting the electro-stylograph in working order with shaking fingers. She could hardly believe her eyes; the pointer of the machine was on the Island of Helgoland, the great German fortification.

The machine was at last adjusted; the sparkling stopped and the Btrong, manly voice of Napoleon Edison was heard. His picture appeared on the helioplate, bowing smilingly toward the gtfl whose heart was beating painfully. Her blood rushed to her head as she responded to the greeting. “Your excellency. I have to report that the confederated fleet of the European monarchies started for Madeira today. I have been a prisoner, but an hour ago I escaped. Tomorrow at 10:00 p. m. I will be at the Crystal Palace to tell you everything.” "I am so very, very happy that I have at last heard from you!" Edison bowedj in the hazy background of the picture she could see another man holding a steering wheel in his hand£ and beside him was the faint form of a woman watching Edison.

"I' will be there at ten, your ex* cellency.” „ “I will expect you!” —The picture vanished. —She leaned over the plate that had, a second ago, reflected the image of the man in whom she placed all her hopes. As she took the paper out of the machine to see the message she pondered: “The message came from Helgoland, and he says he will be here tomorrow. How can that be?” Recalling that the Vice-president was waiting for her, she went back to the green room. “A very important message came,” she said to Hale* in extenuation of her long absence. Then, after a short pause, she added: “I may as well tell you now, the confederated European fleet is on its way to Madeira.” The .Vice-President gasped. “And you have connections with Europe, your excellency?’’ She smiled at his surprise. “Not connections; only one, but that one T'EftilftVft In Implicitly”' “Then there will be a ,session of the union ministers tomorrow?” “Not tomorrow, but very likely the day after.” Shortly after this the Vice-president left and Astra retired to her private apartment, giving out orders no one should disturb her .until the next morning. When the tired, but now happy girl was alone, undisturbed, she kissed the ring with the word “Cirynith” on It, and looked up to heaven with joyful eyes. The man who gave her the ring was coming.

CHAPTER VII. I The Prison. The morning after the imprisonment of the Chevalier di LeOn a military official came Into the room that served as his temporary cell. “I have the liberty to offer you the freedom of the fort in case you give your word of honor not to try to escape. It will not cause you any uneasiness to do that, as there is not the slightest chance for you to gain your liberty.” “Captain, I thank you very Much; not only will I not give my word, but I will tell you plainly that I intend to do my best to escape from this prison, where your superiors have placed me without having she slightest cause for the action.” He smiled pleasantly at the captain and continued: “I can see that you realize how I feel about it, and for that reason I advise you to be on the alert or I will escape.” "Just as you please, chevalier It is my duty to make your temporary detention ‘as pleasant as possible, and •if Agreeable to you we can get acquainted at the breakfast table.” “That sounds good. 1 am hungry.” The dining-room was comfortable and pleasant; the breakfast was simple and wholesome. Prisoner and guard sat silent for a while, and at last the chevalier said: "I suppose it is vain for me to ask you the name of the place where l am imprisoned?” “You are right, chevalier!” “You have an advantage over me, captain. You know my name and I don’t, know yours,;, is it against your orders to tel) me?” “No, indeed, chevalier; my name to Hans Euler.”! “Thank you, Captain Euler. I assure you that I am glad I have made your acquaintance.” They talked pleasantly during breakfast. Afterward the captain escorted his prisoner into the adjoining reading and billiard room. They played a game of carambol; the Shoveller won. (TOM CONTINDaaOJ -

”I Will Be There at 10, Your Excellency."