Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 64, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 March 1914 — The Isolated Continent [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

The Isolated Continent

A Romance of the Future

By Guido von Horvath and Dean Hoard

Onseifekl. 191*. by W Q. Cbwu la Vh* UnlM , Butw md Or—t Brtfte M • SYNOPSIS. For fifty years the continent of North America has been Isolated from the rest of the world by Z-rays, the invention of Hannibal Prudent, president of the united government. A message from Count von Werdensteln, chancellor of Germany, that he has succeeded In penetrating the rays hastens the death of Prudent. Dying, he warns his daughter Astra that foreign invasion is now certain. Astra succeeds her father as president. Napoleon Edison, a former pupil of Prudent's, offers to assist Astra and hints at new discoveries which will make North America impregnable. A inan giving the name of Chevalier di Leon offers Werdensteln the secret of making gold In return for European disarmament. The chevalier is made a prisoner. Countess Rosiriy, a spy. becomes a prisoner In the hope of discovering di Leon's secret. She falls in love with him and agrees to Join him in an attempt to escape. By the use of rockets he summons a curious flying machine. He escapes and sends a message to Astra which reveals the fact that he is Napoleon Edison. He warns Astra that the consolidated fleets of Europe have sailed to Invade America. He calls on Astra the following night and explains his plans for defense. By the use of aeroplanes made of a new substance whleh is indestructible he expects to annihilate the European forces. He delivers a note to von Werdensteln on his flagship demanding Immediate withdrawal. He is attacked and. by destroying two warships and several aeroplanes, forces von Werdensteln to agree to universal disarmament. The countess, who has remained in America as a guest of Astra, receives an offer from vt>n Werdensteln of the principality of Schomburg-Llthow in return for Edison’s secret. Edison and his assistant. Bantos, go in search of new deposits of the remarkable substance, cirynlth. They And It on the estate of Schomburg-Lith-ow. The countess gets Santos into her clutches. She promises to reveal Edison’s secret as soon as von Werdensteln turns over the Schomburg-Llthow estate to her. On the day of the wedding of Astra and Edison the countess and Santos flee the country. Santos perfects a machine, Is made a count and marries the countess, now princess of SchomburgLlthow. Edison finds a new deposit of cirynlth and builds a new fleet of airships. He accidentally discovers a liquid that will render opposing airships helpless. Santos completes a fleet for the princess. The aviators of the fleet elect her queen. She plans to master the world. CHAPTER XXl.—Continued. This Sunday was the first real day of rest that Napoleon had enjoyed for a long time. He found perfect peace in the company of his mother and wife. Nobody knew he had returned. The surprise that swept over the members of the staff when he appeared In congress Monday morning was great. As Napoleon arose the great hall became instantly silent] He bowed be said: “Honorable President and Representatives, before all else I want to thank you for your kind reception.” A loud “hurrah!” stopped him for a moment Then he continued: “There have been so many changes since I went away that I can hardly express my opinion, particularly in regard to the political affairs of the present. I am very glad to see that congress realizes its duty, and that every member is prepared for action. I place my faith in its wisdom and hope that it will know its duty and do it accordingly. “Compatriots, I greet you all!" A sigh of satisfaction swept over the hall when Napoleon, after this short speech, sat down. xAn air of uncertainty prevailed: they had expected so much from him and had received nothing definite. The speaker of the house then opened the session.

CHAPTER XXII. %' Princess Rositta Shows Her Colors. The answers of the international peace committee and congress of the United Republics of America were identical in wording, and were duly cabled to all the rebelling monarchs. Neither the peace committee nor congress gave a thought to consenting to the wishes of the decree of the European rulers, and it Is quite likely that the prompt refusal to accede to their demands was not unexpected, for the Count von Werdenstein rubbed his hands contentedly when he read the first dispatch. His first act was to call the Princess Schomburg Lithow on the 'graph. Her headquarters were in Suemeg. Werdenstein’s message found Rositta In the air. She connected the apparatus to the 'graph and bowed to the smiling count. “Ah, good morning, count!” “Good morning, princess.” “The Americana refuse our demands,” said the count bluntly. “Ah. Indeed!” “Can you come to Berlin and talk to me?" She thought for a moment. "Is your answer ready?" ' "An ultimatum? Is that what you mean?" “An ultimatum that says distinctly that peaceful relations will be broken after a lapse of twenty-four hours and that Europe will act as she sees fit.” replied Rositta with a firm click of her even teeth. “I am going to see his majesty now and will communicate' with the pow«i* Rep«**s should reach roe by to-

morrow morning, 1 * was the count's answer. “Then do so. my dear count, and if one of the powers should refuse it should be considered as an enemy, in league with the Americas. Tomorrow you will kindly call me up again and tell me the results. . I will then arrange to meet you.” The count consented, then disconnected his instrument. He went to hie majesty and had a gloomy reception. The kaiser listened to the details of ,the count’s plans and shook his head doubtfully. In the end he consented to the ultimatum, remarking that the situation could not be much worse. Answers consenting to the terms of the ultimatum came promptly, and authorized the count to send It out. however, refused. The Island Kingdom was the only one that sent a flat refusal. The count shrugged his shoulders indifferently. “Then we will do without England, that is all.” Calling Rositta on the ’graph, he advised her to have her men in readiness. 1 ■ '

"Is the ultimatum on its way?" was her eager question. “It is ready to be sent, already in cipher.” “Then send it and in an hour an aerodromone will call for you. I want you to come to Suemeg to see my fleet." Rositta shut off the current before the count could answer. His dignity was ruffled at her behavior, but since it was imperative that he see her he had to submit to her plan. When the aeroman called for him the ultimatum was on its way and he was ready to go to Suemeg. Just before he left, however, he sat down to his desk and wrote a letter, then hurriedly folded it and, sealing it in an envelope, rang the bell for his aide de camp. The Captain von Hochamberg entered and saluted gravely. “I have a very important mission for you, captain. Take the first train to Hamburg and thence to England. This letter contains a sealed order for you. You must be at the German consulate in Liverpool by 8:00 a. m. tomorrow. If you receive no further orders then you are to follow the instructions that you will find in this sealed letter as quickly as possible. Otherwise return it intact. Here is an order for money and a pass. Secrecy is important!” He shook hands with the captain and dismissed him.

“That makes me feel easier.’ He sighed and .started for the elevator that took him to the waiting aerodromone. / An hour later he jvas ifi Suemeg, greeting Rositta. The man who had made her what she was had lost His value In her eyes. He could do nothing more for her, so he could be discarded or destroyed. . “I have called your honor here, to exhfbitThe fleet I possess, and to show you what we have accomplished and what we can do.” The latter words carried a peculiar accent to the chancellor’s ears. “I am quite curious to see everything, my dear princess.” “Your curiosity will soon be gratified, as I have already given orders to my men.” She placed an emphasis on the “my.” The chancellor only bowed; then after a pause he said: “I also have some orders for yon, princess, from his majesty the kaiser!” She waved her hand airily. “We can talk about it later.” The princess led him at one* into the open and pointed toward twentyone aerodromones that were stationed on the plateau, glittering in the sunshine. The uniformed aerotnen stood at attention by their machines and saluted the princess and the count as they passed in old military style between the two rows of aerodromones The princess led the way to the machine that was decorated with the princely crown;-and-pttiltng g silver whistle from her pocket she blew it. The well-trained men jumped into their machines and sat at attention. She blew shrill blasts on her whistle and the fleet shot up into the air as one bird. The Count Santos Duprel was at the wheel and Rositta commanded the

fleet. The second line of machines was signaled to reverse their flight and the first line followed her. After they had separated from each other a mile or so both lines turned toward the center, and the chancellor at last understood the significance of the maneuver when red pennants were hoisted on the eleven machines comprising the princess’ fleet and blue on the ten opposite. The .aerodromone “Princess” made a detour and took a position on the

right wing of the line; then the sham battle began. The princess could hot resist the impulse to show her prowess. Santos flutig their aerodromone into the fight; they dodged and turned, each trying to gain in elevation. Finally, with a quick spring the “Princess” evaded its enemy and slid between its wings from the back and the next moment the enemy was a captive, f It was an exhilarating Sport. J “I congratulate you, princess,” said the count to the intoxicated Rositta. The “Princess” carried the captive machine back to Suemeg with ease. The other machines returned, one after the other, all enthusiastic and discussing the tactics of air warfare. After the inspection dinner was served, in which the whole squadron took part. Werdenstein greeted several of them as old acquaintances and friends Of those good days when the armies held their own and when he was planning to conquer the American continent. The times had changed. Now the air men ruled—at the command of a beautiful, bold woman, whose only to be vanity. — tThese gloomy forebodings were warranted sooner than he expected. Only appetizers and soup had been served, when Count de Korona stood up and addressed the gathering: “The pleasure of greeting the worldfamous chancellor, the iron-handed man of the German Empire, has been given me. It is a great honor for us -to have youatour feast, and we, -the conquerors of the air, greet you, who are considered the representative of all the European powers.” —Rositta smiled sweetly at the chancellor, who was watching the speaker in amazement. After a short pause, de Korona continued:

“We greet you as such, as a representative, and 1, in my comrades' names, ask your excellency to be with us in heart and drink to the elected queen of the air, who is distined to be queen oNthe world. Long live our belpved Queen Rositta.” The huzzas that thundered through the hall told the chancellor plainly that this wae no pleasantry. Hia suspicions had not been without foundation. He paled and when the tumult died away he stood up, calm and determined and without a word lett the hall. This action made Rositta furious, but she did not show her indignation. “The chancellor seems to have lost his appetite,” was all she said. After the dinner was over, she gave a few curt orders and the aeromen proceeded into another hall beautifully and regally decorated. At the far end stood a magnificent throne. Rositta retired to her own apartment, while two men went to invite the chancellor to the throneroom. They found him eoberly pacing the distance between the entrance gate and the first hangar. < He followed them. Rositta sat on the throne with a glittering cirynith crown on her head. She was more beautiful than ever. ! The Count vqp Werdenstein was led before her. He showed no surprise. His face was calm and his whole attitude expressed disinterest. “I have requested that your excellency come to Suemeg, for I have* message that I want brought before the whole world." , The count looked at her steadily, and without waiting to hear her further words he said in his strong, penetrating voice: "I tell you, woman, to stand before me. Tell me your petition standing. Then I may listen to it. Do not forget that I represent the Emperor of Germany.” —r Had these words not been spoken in such deadly earnestness some of the audience would have found the scene ridiculous. it was, it was grave and embarrassing and every one stood stunned. The blood left Rositta’s cheeks and it took almost a minute for her to recover her composure. Then she rose and pointing at the chancellor, said in a shrill voice: “Take him away—back to Berlin quick or I shall forget myself and kill him!” (TO BE CONTINUED.)

“I Tell You, Woman, to Stand Before Me."