Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 February 1914 — SERIAL STORY [ARTICLE]

SERIAL STORY

—The—= Isolated Continent

A Romance of the Future

By Guido von Horvath and Dean Hoard

ODMTigbt, ISIS, by W. G. Chapman In tte Uni tad Sum and Great Britain. t SYNOPSIS. For fifty years the continent of North America had been isolated from the rest Of the world by the use of Z-rays, 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 fintury peace and prosperity reigned in ils part of the world. The story opens ith President Prudent critically ill. His death is hastened by the receipt of a message from Count von Werdensteln of , Germany that he has at last succeeded In penetrating the rays. Dying, he warns nls daughter Astra that this means a foreign Invasion. He tells her to hurry to the Island of Cirynith, but dies before he can tell the location of the place. Astra - 4s 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 help Tier. 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 Werdensteln and offers him the secret of making gold. He demands In return absolute disarmament and peace. The chevalier Is suspected of being an American. He Is seized at night and carried off In an areoplane. Astra Is inaugurated as president. She receives a message from Edison, whose long silence has worried her. that he has bee na prisoner for two months on the island x n Helgoland and has Just escaped. He announces that the ■ confederated fleet of Europe has sailed for America. He Promises to call on her the followtng nigh^oner In hope of ’ securing Napoleon’s secret. She falls In love with him. CHAPTER Vlll.—Continued. He elevated his arm. After a few twirlings and twistings of the instrument a click was heard and then came the whizzing sound of a bullet. "New watch right above us.” Five minutes later, at an immense height, a flash occurred. Directly after the flash a spiral light began to descend, slowly; then, after several minutes, an explosion followed that put an end to the dropping spiral of fire and above them a small .white cloud puff slowly fell downward. "That was a beauty!" commented Captain Euler. "Have you any more?" Inquired the countess. “I am sorry, madam, but this is the last for tonight,” answered Chevalier dl Leon, with eyes turned steadily toward the southeast. They all sat down, and Captain Euler and the countess started a conversation in which the ehevalier refused to take part; he was watching the sky and the stars. It was much later than usual when he returned to his gilt cage, but he was satisfied at last; he had seen a star that winked at him familiarly. The next day the countess asked if they were to have fireworks again, but the chevalier thought It would lose Its charm if they had the displays too often. He retired to his room that evening, complaining of a slight headache. “Shall I call the post doctor?” asked Captain Euler, but the chevalier declined. When In his sleeping-room he looked •ver the contents of his small baggage and selected a number of articles that he packed Into one bundle. Then he Vest the room. The reading-room was the one that was connected with the outer world by the stairway that ran to the roof. The chevalier stepped quickly to the door leading to the corridor and listened; he could hear the sentry walking up and down. He saw with satisfaction that the door could be locked on the inside with key and bolts; then he examined the door that led to the root. It was a heavy door, that could be locked only from the inside. He silently crept up the stairs and peered Into the incloeure; under one of the plants, in the shade, was the countess reading. There were a number of heavy objects with which the door could be barricaded. He quietly descended, without being seen by the countess, and inspected her room. Apparently finding everything to his satisfaction, he picked up m book from the table and joined the countess. “Are you feeling better, my dear chevalier?” "I thank son, conntess, yes. And how are you? Does not this imprisonment tell on your nerves?” She sighed. “Chevalier, I think It does. If I were in a dark dungeon It could hurt me more; but a prison is a prison, and gilt bars are hateful.” “Why are you here?” She smiled sadly. "Ton ask me why I am here as ft you did not know my mission.” "Your mission—then you are not a prisoner?” "I am a prisoner just as long as you sure one, chevalier. My fate binds me to you. Why should I hesitate to tell you?” She looked around, and then In a whisper she continued: “I am in the service of the international police, chevalier, and -I was sent to yod to «et your secret" Great tears rolled

down her cheeks) “Chevalier,'please don’t interrupt me; I want j. you to know dll. The chancellor, wants, to know your mtesion in Europe, from where you comb and the secret of gold.” She was now opehly sobbing. "Neither spoke for some time; at last the chevalier turned to the countess: "It - is just possible that I am making the greatest mistake of my life, but — what is the difference—you have been frank witA me, and I will be frank with you.” I She lifted her face quickly. The chevalier thought for a second. "Would you like to get rid of all that belongs to the past? Would you come with me?” a She looked at him with such unutterable longing that he felt irresistibly drawn toward her; he actually started toward the fascinating woman with arms extended. Then his saner nature reminded him of all that would result from letting their friendship merge into a love affair, and he stopped. ■ ’ A wave of rage' swept over her when she saw bis hesitation and decision, but she whispered softly: “I ehall go viih you.” “Now we are becoming real conspirators; be prepared so th£t at a moment’s notice you can leave.” “Where will you take me ?” "Wherever my stars lead!” was his enigmatical answer, as he left the roof and went to his room to sleep. Night came again, the captain left them alone at 9:30, saying that he had some writing to do. Chevalier di Leon watched the sky, which was somewhat cloudy; there was a strong wind that drove the ragged wanderers to and fro. The winking star he had observed several times before was stationed in the eastern sky. Neither of the prisoners talked; both seemed to be fully occupied with their thoughts. Suddenly di Leon turned to the dreaming countess: “Are you willing to leave with me tonight, in half an hour?”

“But how absurd that is, chevalier!” “Do you trust me implicitely?” “I do!” “Then go to your room and get all the things that you need to take along ready. Will half an hour be enough?” “I will be ready.” He led the countess down to her room, and from that moment the chevall, he locked the door of the readingroom, then ran into his own room, picked up his bundle of belongings and hastily placed It on the roof. He arranged several heavy obects around the trapdoor leading to the readingroom and then sent a rocket from his signal gun toward the winking star. The light that followed was taken as a warning by the superstitious soldiers on duty below; the red and white stripes of the American flag high up In the air, and the silvery stars on the blue background completed the flag that was causing bo much annoyance to Europe. The red star above twinkled reassuringly and a second later the roof of the prison was flooded with a strong light. The chevalier ran down and knocked at the countess’ door. “Are you ready?" “I am,” she replied and appeared with a small suitcase in her hand. Just as they opened the door leading to the roof, a secret door in the wall, that had escaped the chevalier’s scrutiny, opened and Captain Euler Btepped into the room. “To the roof, countees,” the chevalier whispered in the ear of the woman and he stepped before the captain. Back of the captain, through the halfopen door, he could see several soldiers. " 1 r

“Your recent fireworks have aroused some suspicion, chevalier." “I am sorry, captnin, but I cannot stop to explain things to you just now; I am in a hurry.” ===== “In a hurry V “Yes, my dear captain. I have jest time enough to thank you for your kind hospitality, and to bid you farewell!” The captain stepped forward, but before he could touch the chevalier there was a flash that blinded all. By the time the captain had recovered enough to shout: “To the devil with your jokes!” the chevalier was gone. Captain Euler ran to the roof door, only to find it barricaded; it took some time for them to force the door, and when they reached the roof and played their searchlight over-the whole Bpace, not a soul was to be found. An hour later Astra received her message from Napoleon Edison. The following morning early risers in Berlin were treated to a novel sight. High above the city, a white-headed, tremendously large eagle appeared; it circled above the town for a while, then turned suddenly toward the west and disappeared with a rapidity that was astounding. The learned Professor Klpfelhelmer, a noted zoologist who was one of the first to see It, was certain that the bird was a genuine American eagle. CHAPTER IX. In the Master's Workshop. The following day was a long one for Astra; hope, Joy and the expectation of seeing the man who was able to do so much made her restless. Shortly before noon a report came from the Z ray generating station advising that a peculiar vibration seemed to be forcing the rays backward. Orders were given to establish the new Z zone, also to watch for further disturbances and, after a lapse' of six hours, to remove the first line of resistance, leaving the new Z ray to meet the invader*. Astra was happy Indeed when she descended to the library to await Napoleon's arrival. As the hands of the chronometer pointed to ten, she listened Intently. Hie main door was opened just as tit* dock gave forth

Its tinkling warning. A moment later Napoleon Edison was admitted to the library and Astfa hurried toward him with welcoming hands. She saw at a glance that his healthy bronze complexion was gone and that he was thinner. She also noted the unfamiliar clothes he was wearing. “I am so glad that you have come at last!” were her first words. r-r "I have longed to come, Miss Prudent, but I was detained In a prison, where I had everything but liberty." “Please be 'spated; you, must be weary after your long trip.” She led him to a chair and took a seat opposite. “There has not been a day, since your visit here, that I have not longed for some news from you. And you, air tbe -tlmef were in prison.” .Edison said: "I crossed the ieolator in iny aerodromone, ascending thousands of feet to get over. My assistant engineer, Santos Duprel, was with me; we landed on the deserted Zugspitze, in Germany. I alone descended on skiis to Partenkirchen, where I purchased European clothes. Duprel and I were In constant communication with each other until my imprisonment, which came so quickly that I had no chance to advise him. ? I had the honor, before I was confined, to 1 meet his majesty, the Emperor of Germany, the Prince of Wales and, above all, the Count von Werdenstein, .who is the real ruler of Europe. “Are your plans for our defense formulated?” Astra asked;

“I will, with your permission, tell them in a more detailed manner at the workshop. I hope you will accompany me there as soon as you can.” “I am ready to go at any time; only you know I cannot leave the capital for a long period. Besides, I must _lajL a decided plan of action before the continental congress meets, day after tomorrow. Where is your plant?” He looked at her In surprise, but all he could see in her face was frank expectation, and in a measured voice he said: "On the Island of Ciryne.” “Cirynith!” whispered Astra. “At last you have spoken the word!” said Napoleon eagerly. “The word I have been expecting to hear you say.” Astra looked at Napoleon questioningly; evidently there was something back 6f this that she was supposed to know. Napoleon read her thoughts: “Miss Prudent, Iwill enlighten you. When I discovered the element of which your ring is made I came to your father. He was a friend and teacher. When your father realized the value of my discovery and saw the far-reaching possibilities of this wonderful metal he gave me full Instructions, and I based my further experiments on them. “His prophetic soul foresaw the events that are now upon us, and be was anxious to know the results of my experiments. Three d&yß before his death I received a letter from him. I had Jnst returned from the trial trip of my aerodromone. I was intoxicated with my success. The American Eagle, my first aerodromone, was a marvel, but I will come to that later. I hurried to the capital as soon as I read your father’s letter, but was too late! How happy he would have been to know that I had won, that no uation can destroy the work of his lifetime.” Napoleon’s voice softened to a whisper. “But his last letter told me that you would be instructed to go to the Island of Ciryne and that, when I met you, you would greet me with the word you have just spoken, ‘Cirynith,’ the name I have given to this element.”

Astra’s eyes filled with tears. The memory of the last hcrnr of her father returned to her in its smallest detail, and then she told Napoleon how the dying man had tried to tell her everything, but that the shock caused by the message from Count von Werdenstein had killed him before he could do so. though with his last strength he had written, in shaking letters, the word: “Cirynith.” “1 cannot tell what he said about you,” finished Astra, smiling at Napoleon through her tears. “All I can say is that I am very happy today, for you have come,” Her expressive eyes told even more, and Napoleon Edison felt that he was amply rewarded for the services he had rendered, not for the girl he loved, but for the country they both loved. “I have one favor to ask, your excellency!” "Whatever it is, I will grant it in advance." "The Countess Rosiny, whom I have mentioned, and who played a part in the plot/is homeless in our continent She is in the waiting-rooisr-1 brought her with me, thinking you would not let her go without trying to aid hen. Under your care, I feel sure she will regain all that is good in her nature and lose all that is bad.” "She is welcome,” Astra said, simply, and started to summon an attendant, but Napoleon Interrupted her. “Astra, permit me! Before you call her, I wish we could make arrangements for your visit to my island.” “How long does it take to make the trip?” Edison smiled. “The word ‘distance’ is stricken from the American diction-' ary. 1 will place you on the island within three houra.” “Where is your island?”. r “Where the 124 degree W. of Greenwich and the S 4 degree N. meet.” “In the Pacific Ocean! Wonderful! Could we go tomorrow?” „ “Yes, but I think it would be best to travel at night, as I wish to keep the existence \of the American Eagle a secret for a while.” “That is wise. Let us start at eleven tomorrow evening.” J ' (TO BB CONTINITKD.) Germs are bad, of ooursi; bat they could be worse. Suppose they sang at their work!