Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 February 1914 — SERIAL STORY [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

SERIAL STORY

■— - The Isolated Continent A Romance of the Future

By Guido von Horvath and Dean Hoard

Oowrtckt, IMS. by W. G. Chapman In *te United State* and Gr«*x Britain 11 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 century peace and prosperity reigned In this part of the world. The story opens with President Prudent critically 111. His death is hastened by the reeelpt of a message from Count von Werdenetein of Germany that he has at last succeeded to penetrating the rays. Dying, he warns his daughter Astra that this means a for* eign Invasion. He tells her to hurry to the Island of Ciryne, 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 promisee to help her. He givas 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 Werdenetein 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 seised at night and carried off In an areoplane. Astra is Inaugurated as 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 bdv become** a prisoner In hope of securing Napoleon’s secret She falls in love with him. She agrees to join hfan in an attempt tp escape. By the use of fireworks he summons a curious flying ma- . chine 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. They make the trip in three hours. His plans are based on the peculiarity of the new substance, cirynlth, which is lighter than any known metal and Is practically indestructible. The Europeans succeed In passing the line of isolation, but find that the Americans have established a second one. Edison delivers a note to von Werdensteln in his flagship demanding that the fleet be withdrawn, Edison is attacked, but by the use of some mysterious power he destroys two warships and several aeroS lanes. Realising his helplessness Werensteln withdraws his fleet and consents to unlveral disarmament.

CHAPTER XII. Casting the Net. Six months had passed. The captured army and navy had been sent home to Europe and disarmed. The various monarchs bad raged atthe Count von Werdensteln for acceding to the terms of the agreement submit- ' ted by the United Republics, but the people were happy. The United Republics of America offered a large tract of land in the interior of Brazil, Venezuela and Colombia for emigration purposes. Drainage and irrigation had been so perfected that those great plateaus were habitable and supplied the richest agricultural districts in the world. A meeting had been called to formulate the rules of peace. Napoleon, with full sanction and authorization of Congress, made short work of the agreement with the orientals. He appeared above the Island and announced the ultimatum: that he would blow up every man-of-war unless they were turned over to the United Republics of America peacefully, in which case the latter would pay onethird the value of the monsters. The orientals had been prepared for this action and agreed to the terms. China, the young Oriental Republic, followed Sapan’e example. Christmas was nearing. The war vessels of the world were harbored in the ports of the Americans and turned over to the Navy Department, with the command that they be used for commercial purposes. The disarmament went on aft over the world. When Christmas day dawned, peace reigned. Not Christian peace, but a peace begotten of fear. The 24th of December found the American Continent open to everyone. Napoleon Edison, on account of the service he had rendered hie country, had been appointed president of the world peace committee.

His mother’s illness had caused him anxiety. He spoke of it to Astra one day while the Countess Rosiny was near. The beautiful Rositta had undergone a great change. She was believed to be a thorough American in spirit, and had thus gained the confidence of the people surrounding Astra. She begged Astra and Napoleon to let her go and comfort Mrs. Edison. They consented, glad to have her go to the Island of Ciryne, even though the secrets of the aerodromone were there, to be • companion to Mrs. Edison. Astra said it would be very lonely without her, and Napoleon solved the problem in a way that pleased the countess the most"I will take you to Ciryne in the Eagle and send you back in a few days by Santos, and you can thus divide your time between Astra and my mother." ■ha could hardly repress her triumphant Jar

That evening Napoleon took Rosltta to Ciryne, to his mother. She won the mother’s-sympathy at once. • Her pleasant companionship was to the stately matron, a* save the servants there were no ether women on the island. It was she who watched over the precious plant during the long and repeated absences of Napoleon. Notwithstanding the difference in their ages, they became good friends Rosltta was anxious to see the manufacturing plant, where the aerodromones were made, but she was not permitted to enter the workshop, as she had failed to obtain Napoleon’s permission to do so. He had promised to Return for her within a few days, or to send Santos. One balmy morning the two women were enjoying the sea breeze on the porch, when they saw the aerodromone approaching from the east The great bird settled in its hangar gracefully. The two women went down the path to meet, as they supposed, Napoleon. But it was Sanios Duprel, bringing two letters, one from Napoleon to his mother and the other from Astra to the countess.

Santos’ honest eyes glowed when he saw Rositta, who took pains to give him a friendly glance as she shook hands. Her letter said that Santos and the Hawk were at her disposal, and that Astra would be glad to see her again as soon as Mrs. Edison’s condition permitted her to leave. She also invited Mrs. Edison to come to the capital, but the mother knew that her son depended on her presence on the island, so declined. Rosltta expressed deep disappointment when Mrs. Edison gave her reasons for not going back with Santos and the Hawk, but the chance to talk to Santos on the return trip suited her best. After some hesitation she decided to make a flying trip to Washington the next day, assuring Mrs. Edison that she would stay only a day. • Santos received instructions to be ready to leave early in the morning The little, round fellow was elated when he thought of the three hours alone with Rositta. His nights, since he had met Astra and Rositta, were restless. Rositth’s many kindnesses especially gave him food for thought He paid more attention to matters of dress; he shaved hie round, ruddy face every day. He even used perfume. It dazzled him to thihk of the trip to the capital with the countess for company.

Early in the dewy morning Sdntos brought the Hawk to the cottage and waited for Rositta. A little later the wonderful machine leaped into the air and up and forward with mighty flaps of the glittering wings. -Countess Rosiny rose and went slowly forward to the man who was directing the flight of the great bird; the brain of the mechanism.

She leaned over the railing that separated the cabin from the steering wheel and the various levers. "How high are we now, Mr. Duprel ?” ehe asked.

Santos looked aV the aerograph: “2,527 feet, countess. Do you want to go higher?” "Oh, yes!" The Hawk darted up; a turn of the wheel worked the wings, and electric sparks were seen In a steady stream.

"What a wonderful machine this is!” whispered the countess in Santos' ear. He had mastered hie timidity

and, for the first time, turned to look at her. Her brilliant eyes melted into the light blue, round eyes of Santos. “Yes, it is,” he said simply. “Are we going still higher?” she asked in a breathless tone. Santos looked hurriedly at the aerograph and saw that it showed 16,000 feet. In his nervousness he bad gone higher than he Intended, so hastily changed the direction. It was bitterly cold for a short time, but the wings soon generated enough heat to warm the cabin; in fact, it was ,400 warm, and Santos opened the air condenser that let in the fresh, pure air of that altitude, where it is clear and intoxicating in its sweetness. "How much I admire men like you, Mr. Duprel. You have conquered the air!” whispered the countess to the good boy who had succumbed to her charms.

“Countess, you are too good to me; you are the sweetest, dearest woman I have ever met,” stuttered the bird man. He was still more dazed when she placed her dainty, dimpled hand on the steering wheel where it touched his.

“Where does this machine get the tremendous power that enables U to

fly with such velocity f" Questioned Rositta. "Electricity,” was all the little man said; then he smiled at his fair passenger, whose hand still rested on the wheel, touching his. "Electricity?” She looked around at' the simple machinery in sight “How do you generate it?" Santos laughed at the shrewd question. “We don’t. At least, not much, of it” Then he suddenly closed his mouth like one who has realized he is saying too much. The clever woman read bis thoughts. She was quiet for a short time, then her hand released the wheel and fell in her lap. She sighed deeply. “Are you happy, Mr. Duprel?" was her sudden question. Santoe was so surprised that he gave an involuntary pull at the wheel that took them from their course. “Why do you ask this question, countess?” o “Because a man like you ought to be very happy." _ “A poor, lonesome fellow, such as me?"— "Are ydqbonely ? I would have supposed that a genius, who could conquer the air and save his country, couldn’t be ’lonely." Santos Duprel put on the automatic lock and let the wheel go. His instinct was aroused; something told him that this beautiful woman was playing with him, and he, the brave Santos Duprel, turned toward the bewitching enemy with eyes lit up. "Countess Roslny! Why are you playing with me? I am not a great man. I am not an inventor and conqueror; I am only a simple workman trying to give my best to my master. Should you tell all this to him, to Napoleon Edison, it would be well placed, but why do you speak to me thia way?” His appearance was changed. His tone was clear and strong. His round face was pale. - -. The countess looked at him as if fascinated by his outburst Tears appeared in her eyes. "Mr. Duprel! Have I wounded you? I am all alone, with no one to case for me. You have been so kind to me that I have, ever since Helgoland, looked on you as my best friend. Can I help it if my loneliness has—" she did not finish her sentence, but fell to sobbing hysterically and poor Santos’ heart was softened. “Can you pardon me, Mr. Duprel? Will you still be my friend, my kindhearted friend?” She offered both her hands to the unhappy man. The control signal rang. Santos jumped to the wheel. He was excited, but automatically slackened the Hawk’s pace. It almost fell downward and with a graceful curve settled on the roof of the Crystal Palace. Astra was awaiting Rositta’e arrival, and Santos watched the two women as they walked toward the elevator that took them down to their rooms. “At eleven tomorrow night," called Rosltta, with a friendly wave of her hand. Santos felt the encouragement in her manner and happily took the Hawk to Its resting-place.

CHAPTER XIII. Letters From Europe. The Countess Rosiny was surprised to find a number of letters awaiting her, all bearing European postmarks. "How did they reach me?" she asked Astra. “Napoleon told the Count von Werdenstein that you are my guest, and he also made arrangements to have your property interests protected.” "Mr. Edison is very kind." She looked at Astra. "Do you" know. I sometimes envy you." Astra raised her eyebrows questioningly. "My dear, I do; you are so good and noble that Mr. Edison c&nnot help loving you as he loves goodness itself through you.” Astra sighed: “Then you love Napoleon, Rositta?” "I love him, indeed,” she replied laughingly. “And were I as good as you are, I would take up the glove and fight for the prize. But I —my heart was poisoned long ago. I do not inspire pure love." Her voice sounded somewhat bitter.

"Dear sister,” said Astra, putting her arm around Rositta, “I cannot believe that you are not as good as you appear, for I do not Jbelieve I could love you as I do if you were not good and true." Astra left to preside at the Educational Society of Independent Women of America. “We shall have luncheon together at two o’clock, and then wp will have a ride with Napoleon,” she said as she left.

Roeitta hurriedly went to her own rooms, taking the letters she had received. One was in Count von Werdenstein’s handwriting. She locked her door carefully, then opened the letters one by one, leaving the count’s until the last. * |(TO BE CONTINUED.)

"How Much I Admire Men Like You, Mr. Duprel."