Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 58, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 March 1914 — SERIAL STORY [ARTICLE]

SERIAL STORY

Tii== Isolated Continent

A Romance of the Future

By Guido von Horvath and Dean Hoard

OtwHftli MS, by W. Q. Chspnui In tbs (MM toln Mi QniililttU. BYNOPSIS. For fifty years the continent of North America had been Isolated from the rest «f 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 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 jays. Dying, he warns nls daughter Astra that this means a foreign Invasion. He tells her to hurry to the Island of Clryne, but dies before he esm tell the location of the place. Astra ta nominated for the presidency by the continental party. Napoleon Edison calls on Astra, informs her that he waa a puf»ll of her father's, and promises to help ler. He glvea her a ring made of a aew1/ discovered substance which, he says, will solve the problem of flying. Chevalier d> Leon appears In Europe. He calls on von Werdensteln and offers him tho 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 ner. 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 Roslny, a spy. becomes a prisoner In hope of securing Napoleon’s secret. 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 ma-‘ cliine which resembles a monster eagle. He escapes and sends his message to Astra. Edison calls on Astra as premised. He tells her his plans for defense have been completed, put that he will give fuller details at his workshop on the Island of Clryne In the Pacific. They make the trip in three hours. His plans are based on the peculiarity of the new substance, oiryntth, which is lighter than any known metal and !s 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 aeroplanes. Realising his helplessness Werdensteln withdraws his fleet and consents to universal disarmament. Edison’s mother Is 111 on the island of Clryne. Countess Roslny offers to go and comfort her, hoping to discover Edison’s secrets. She be- ’ gins to weave a net around Santos Duprel, Edison’s assistant. The countess gets a letter from Werdensteln offering ner the princedom of Schomburg-Lithow for Edison’s secret. Edison and Santos start in search of a new deposit of ciryn--Ith. their supply being almost exhausted. They find it on the estate of SchomburgLithow. The couptess finally gets Santos Into her clutches. She gets another letter from Werdensteln asking her to find out why Edison is Interested in the Schomburg estate. Edison applies personally to Werdensteln with an offer for the property. but gets no satisfaction. f ■ CHAPTER XVl.—Continued. ‘ ”Is there an answer?” he asked In English. ‘‘Will you see the countess personally?" asked the chancellor. ..... “Who?” he asked stupidly. “Oh, never mind," answered the chancellor, knowing the man knew nothing whatever about the message. •‘Who will come after the answer, if there Is one?” “A bird man " Tr X bird man?** The count did not" know whether the man was really simple or not. “Where do yon live?” “In- America ” “H’m; that is a broad answer. Yes, there will be a message.” He sat down and wrote: “My Dear Countess: lam glad to hear from you. Your wishes will be fulfilled to the letter. I will do my best to prepare things for your reception. Your legal advisers will receive the necessary papers in due “With best wishes and hoping to hear from you soon. I am, “Von Werdenstein.” He sealed the letter, then gave it to the man, who left the room. \ The chancellor pondered over the situation, then started for the royal palace to report Napoleon s visit and Roaitta’s promises to his majesty. • When Napoleon arrived home he bad a long conference with Astra. They ..were-both somewhat depressed. His disappointment in not securing the Peak Suemeg was great, because he had many inventions that required the use of cirynith, and he knew that the count's actions were a menace to the peace movement.. They decided that they would marry J* the month of July. That evening they went to Clryne to tell determination to Mrs. Edison. Napoleon and Astra spent another day on Clryne. This time Napoleon conducted the three women through the wonderful plant where cirynith was refined and manufactured Into parts of aerodromones and other useful articles. Rnsitta kept her ears and eyes wide open, but not being trained along mechanical lines she could not Understand many of the things she saw. Still she was glad that Napoleon honored her with bis confidence as from new oa there would be no objection to her visiting the shops whenever she *«•<*. 1 :

Napoleon took Astra hack to Washington late in the afternoon. Mrs. Edison and Rositta walked down to the sandy shore and sat listening to the waves. The mother was dreaming of the happy future for her son. The other was weaving fine threads of the net she was tangling about her friende. Santos was away, but he was expected back soon. She disliked to see him leave her side, as she feared to lose the control that she had gained over him. He returned that evening When Mrs, Edison retired the countess stole out of the house and strolled toward the shore, where she knew Santos would be awaiting her. Santos was the happiest of men when she greeted him with passionate embraces and kisees. He was like a faithful, obedient dog Whatever Rositta asked he did without question. Tonight he handed her the count’s letter, that came in answer to the one he had sent for her. Rositta opened it, and he held his pocket flashlight so she could read. “My little blond the time Is nearing when my name will be changed to Duprel. What do you think of that? Mrs. Duprel? Doesn’t that sound good to you?” Santos’ only anewer was kisses; he had begun to master the so-called lost art very quickly. “Do you 'know how I have missed you? Mr. Edison add Astra were here, but since I know you I can’t enjoy them any more. I know it is not right to feel that way, as Napoleon has been very good to me, but my sympathy 1b with you, dear.” Her arm slipped around his neck. ”1 cannot hear him criticise you.” "Criticiee me? Is he dissatisfied with me?” The words were heavy with dismay. Rositta knew that had touched the right strings.- “Who told you that?” "Don’t take It seriously, Santos. I have tried to keep it to myself, but I—l could not.” “Did he say that I had not served him well? Did he say that?” “He did,” whispered Roeltta. Santos breathed fire and flame. Rositta subtly convinced Santos that he was the man, and not Napoleon Edison, whose name should be the revered one in American history. When arguments were weak, kisßes strengthened them, until poor Santos was molded into a form that suited Rositta. Then she said: “I own the cirynith deposits in Hungary. I never will give them to Napoleon. I want you to be his master. Will you come with me?” “I am with you and yours forever!” The tone in which this was said was enough for Rositta. She knew she had won.