Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 37, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 February 1914 — SERIAL STORY [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

SERIAL STORY

T&= Isolated Continent

A Romance of the Future

By Guido von Horvath and Dean Hoard

Copyright, 191 S, by W Q. Chuou In tin United StntM nnd QraM Biltnin. * * BYNOPBIS. For fifty years the continent of North America had been Isolated from the rest of the world by the use of Z-rays, a won* invention of Hannibal Prudent. The invention had saved the country from toreign invasion, and the continent had been united under one government with Prudent as president. For half a century peace ana prosperity reigned In this part of the world. The story opens with President Prudent critically ill. His death is hastened by the receipt of a message from Count von Werdenstetn of Germany that he has at last succeeded In penetrating the rays. Dying, he warns his daughter Astra that this means a foreign invasion. He tells her to hurry to the Island of Ciryne, but dies before he can tell the location 6f 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 facer's, and promises to help her. He gives her a ring made of a newly discovered substance which, he says. Will solve the problem of flying. Chevalier di Leon appears in Europe. He calls on von Werdenstein and offers him the secret of making gold In return for 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 been a prisoner for two months on the island of Helgoland and has just escaped. He announces that the confederated fleet of Europe has sailed for America. He promises to call on her the following night. Countess Rosiny, a spy. becomes a Prisoner In hope of securing Napoleon's "■yacret. She falls in love with him. She agrees to join him in an attempt to escape. By the use of fireworks he summons a curious flying machine which resembles a monster eagle. He escapes and sends his message to Astra. Edison calls on Astra as promised. He tells her his plans for defense have been completed, but that he will give fuller details at his workshop on the Island of Ciryne In the Pacific.

CHAPTER IX.—Continued. Napoleon bowed, and so the matter was settled. The Countess Rosltta Rosiny was led Into the room. Astra embraced the countess kindly. “Welcome to our continent, my dear countess.” V Countess Rosiny sobbed. Her heart seeme'd touched by the kind reception given her by the representative of the greatest republic! But though Napoleon Edison was a scientist, Inventor and a discoverer, he could not sea into the heart of the weak, beautiful woman. Had he known was going on within it, he would hive acted differently. Astra Invited the countess to stay with her in the Crystal Palace. It was almost midnight when Napoleon left, assuring Astra that he would call for her at eleven the next evening. At the time appointed he was at the door with a powerful automobile. Astra refuied to sit in the tonneau of the machine, so Napoleon assisted her to the seat beside him at the wheel and she let her hand rest lightly on his arm. The big machine ran evenly out of town, into the suburbs, and turned into a big garden that was a natural forest. The large mansion was deserted, but a garage showed signs of life. A broad stream of light spread out Into the quiet summer night from one window. The sound of Napoleon’s horn must have been familiar to the occupant of the building, as the large door was pushed open in time to let the large car enter. Napoleon stopped the car and assisted the President down. Then taking the arm of a man who opened the door, be said: “Excellency, allow me to present Mr. Bantos Duprel, my best and trusted comrade." '■ The short man bowed with reverence. “Is everything ready?” asked Napoleon. The little man nodded. Napoleon opened a door and led hie guest through it; Santos locked the door of the garage and followed them. The room they entered opened skyward. A Shimmering object, entirely filling the place, gleamed in the starlight Napoleon led the President up a few steps, into a small space that was Inclosed, but with something that was perfectly transparent, and asked her to sit down on a couch. "Will you kindly wait here for a few moments?" he aeked, and he went further forward. Astra’s eyes became used to the dim light; she saw Napoleon stop before some complicated mechanism and a steering wheel. Sam, tos came and closed the door through which they had entered the car. Electric sparks flew from something at the front.

“Are you ready?" asked Santos “Ready!" waa Napoleon’s reply, as he turned a lever. The macffine started upward and two huge wings that Astra had not noticed before, began to beat the aln She had not experienced the slightest shock, yet she realized that they were going up with great velocity. The machine was practically noiseless, the only sound being a whistling murmur caused by the beating wings. The coolness was perceptible and Astra wrapped her cloak more closely •fteut her. Napoleon gave a twist to r-* ’ ■ &■} * /. ■

the wheel, and with a small light studied his map and the compass. Santos now took the wheel and Napoleon sat down opposite the President.* He pointed out the different places as they rushed over them— Frankfort, Louisville, St Louis, Wichita, Ashland, Santa Fe, PreßCOtt and Los Angeles—then came the ocean. Astra sat silent. She had a great mind find her appreciative qualities were far above the average. “The greenish light that you see just before us is the island of Ciryne,” said Napoleon. > A few minutes later the aerodromone settled down in a very large hangar, but as the place .was dark Astra could not see the machine and ite outer appearance. Napoleon helped her out and, showing her his watch, convinced her that they had made the trip in three hours; it wa» eleven o’clock. “As rapidly as the earth revolves,” remarked Astra.

Napoleon led Astra into a large, square building in the center of the group. A peculiar odor greeted her nostrils as she entered. It was not disagreeable, but reminded her of some oppressive tropical flower. She followed Napoleon into the private laboratory.

Hours passed while Napoleon told the President everything, and the dawn was breaking as he led her out into the air. He led her to the hangar again and, turning all the electric lights on, he showed her all the aerodromones. “Six in all, and with these I can fight against the world and win." Before Astra could reply, he said: “And now, your excellency, I would like to introduce you to the queen of this little colony.” Astra felt faint, but followed Napoleon as if in a dream. They went to the nearest cottage. In the doorway stood a beautiful matron waiting to receive them. "Mother," said Napoleon, “let me introduce you to her excellency, the President of the United Republics." Astra stepped forward and before Mrs. Edison could utter a word she embraced and kissed her, then, bowing her head on the matron’s bosom, she wept tears of-joy. Neither spoke. They seemed to understand each other.

CHAPTER X. Between Z Rays. The general of the confederated European army and navy- had arrived on the scene of action. The first line of resistance was down, and he believed the American continent ready for occupancy. In his official aeroplane he had hurried to take command. Shortly after his arrivel the Deputing cruiser, Beelzebub, ran into the second line of Z rays and so reported by wireless to the admiral’s ship. The man of war shook his fist toward the west: “You will not escape me, nevertheless!" He was angry and gave hurried orders to lay the necessary cables and move the engineering boats forward. He had hardly finished his orders when another message came that was trifling, yet it annoyed him. The cruising aeroplanes sent word that a tremendous American eagle was approaching from the west. Many remembered that the eagle had been seen above Berlin; many of the seamen predicted disaster. Others laughed and did not take the news seriously. The Count von Werdenstein stood on the bridge of the flagship Empress Brigitta. His powerful glass eagerly sought the western horizon, searching the sky for that eagle. The strange air craft crept nearer, headed directly for the flagship. The

count saw that the under portion of the body was transparent, and that a single man waa in it. When the air craft arrived about two hundred feet above the flagship the red, white and olue flag with the stars was unfurled, and the craft stopped its flight, resting easily on the air, lazily moving Its wlnge. Was it the wonderful performance which had thrilled the seamen, or waß it an intended cheer? Nobody knows, but all those wno could see thb eagle shouted a huzza. Only one man bit his lips nervously, the Count yon Werdenstein.

The American flag saluted the cheering men, then a white flag of truce appeared beside it. "1 bring the greetings of the people of the American continent, and want to communicate with the commander in chief," came a clear, strong voice to the ears of the men on the flagship. The generalissimus waved his hand toward me eagle. "If you will ascend the observation tower we can converse comfortably." added the voice to him

The great chancellor went toward the elevator that carried him up to the tower, and the eagle descended until it was on a level with the top of the tower. Opening a side window, the bird man leaned out and saluted the count. “Here we meet, face to face,- your excellency! ” “The Chevalier di Leon!” "The chevalier is no more, your honor; I am Napoleon Edißon." “Mr. Edison, you are worthy of your names, both of them.” “Thank you, sir!” humbly. “I presume you have come to renew your offer.” "The time of offering is gone, your excellency.” Napoleon’s voice was cold and cutting. The count was surprised. » “I have come to your excellency to deliver the message from the United American Republics." "Yes? I am listening.” "The navy of the European confederacy entered American waters with apparent warlike intention and ■ stroyed the first isolation line. The United Republics took note of this unlawful action and hence give you warning that unless the navy under your personal command i 8 removed from these waters immediately, the United Republics of America will cut you off from your resources and make prisoners of all the vessels that linger in the zone where they are at present “Twelve hours are given for retreat ! ” , The Count von Werdenstein lost his temper on hearing these words and took them for a personal insult. "Can I see the papers that make you the bearer of such an impudqnt message ?’’ Napoleon moved the wheel a trifle and the bird slid toward the count who took the sealed package from his hand. He broke it open and read: "The bearer, Mr. Napoleon Edison, Is the all-powerful representative of the President of the U. R. of A. (Signed) ASTRA PRUDENT, (Seal) President. The count smiled and said while folding the paper: "Tell to thoße who sent you that I, Count von Werdenstein, commander in chief of the navies and armies of the European confederacy, will break down all the reeistance that may be before me, and will land and occupy the countries that you call the United Republics of America. The warning that you give me will not be considered, neither will your actions be feared. I am headed for the American continent and I will land." “This Is your final answer, your excellency?”

"It is.” “Please listen to me for a moment, not as a courier and representative, but as man to man. “Not so very long ago I was your prisoner, and when I told you that I would escape, you only laughed. I escaped, and am standing here before you as proof that I can do what I say. Count von Werdenstein, how will you answer for the mass murder that you will be responsible for? We have tried to avoid conflict” “You speak as if a mighty army and navy were at your elbow! What can you, a single man, do against the. force back of me?” ’

“Then you will not believe me, will not heed the warning I give you? Count, look into your own heart! I, a single man, have the power to send you, with all your force, to the bottom of the sea. I, alone, plead with you to return to your own land and let your armies and navies disband, for if you don’t, many will never see their loved ones again.” The count was impressed by Napoleon’s sad voice, but there were many things to be considered, and, above all else, his own pride. A thousand deaths would be easier to account for than the fact that he, Count von Werdenstein. at the command of a single man in an odd airship, -turned homeward and abandoned the invasion of America. When he spoke, there was bitterness in hie voice:

"Mr. Edison, something tells me that you can do as you say. I know that, yet I will forget it until I arrive on American shores; I will not hesitate for a second, I will go forward to win or die. If there is only one chance in a million, I will try it. No shame shall besmirch the name of Werdenstein.” “I am sorry, Count von Werdenstein, but we must defend our country and liberty. I will now remove the flag o> truce and return to America and from this second on you can consider me an enemy.” He closed the window, touched a lever and with one mighty beat of the flexible wings the machine ascended at least a hundred feet. The count looked after Napoleon. His face was pale as he hurriedly descended to the bridge. (TO BE CONTINUED.)

“Welcome to Our Continent, My Dear Countess."