Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 67, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 March 1914 — The Isolated Continent [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

The Isolated Continent

A Romance of the Future

By Guido von Horvath and Dean Hoard

Oontifht, 23 BU ***“ d "**' n BYNOPSIS. 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 Werdenstein, 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 ma&e North America Impregnable. A man giving the name of Chevalier di Leon offers Werdenstein the Becret of msiklng gold in return for European disarmament. The chevalier is made a prisoner. Countess Rosiny, a spy, becomes a prisoner In the hope of discovering dl 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 which is indestructi*ble he expects to annihilate the European forces. He delivers a note to von Werdenstein on his flagship demanding immediate withdrawal. He Is attacked and. by destroying two warships and several aeroplanes, forces von Werdenstein to agree to universal disarmament. The countess, who has remained in America as a guest of Astra, receives an offer from von Werdenstein of the principality of Schomburg-Lithow in return for Edison’s secret. Edison and his assistant, Santos, v go in search of new deposits of the remarkable substance, cirynlth. They find it or, the estate of Schomburg-Lith-ow. Tlie countess gets Santos into her clutches. She promises to reveal Edison’s secret as soon as von Werdenstein turns over the Schomburg-Lithow 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 SchomburgLithow. Edison finds a new deposit of cirynlth and builds a new fleet of airships. He accidentally discovers a liquid that will render opposing airships helplegs. Santos completes a fleet for the princess The aviators of the fleet elect her queen. She plans to master the world. Werdenstein sends an ultimatum to America. He discovers the princess’ real plans and is In despair. Edison’s new discovery enables his fleet to overcome the fleet of the princess.

.CHAPTER XXlll.=Contlnued. As soon as Santos realized what had happened, he turned to the door and opened it: “Come, Rositta, nay wife, it will be sweet to die together.” ‘ldiot!’’ she shrieked. He looked at her and knew. He turned to his master, who waved a friendly hand at him, and said sadly: "Napoleon, forgive me. I was blinded.” He jumped into the sound and the waters closed over him. Rositta had not even glanced at him as he fell. She stepped into his place in the doorway and had her foot on the first rung of the ladder that led to the top of the machine when he touched the water. Napoleon opened the door for her, without saying a word. When she was in the upper machine she stood looking at Napoleon, who was awaiting her further action. At last she saidr “ With you f would go down there.” Then she flushed and an exquisite little smile appeared on her face. “You devil of a man! You have won again! What do you intend to do with me?” He looked at her sadly as he replied In a measured voice: "I will make a queen of you." "Oh, thanks! That is kind. I presume you have selected a very beautiful country?” “Yes, Rositta Rosiny, a very beautiful country. You will have everything you need —it is a veritable Garden of Eden. She looked at him in alarm, then looked toward her fleet. Every one of her aerodromones had been captured. They reached land. Napoleon called up Whißtler and, giving orders regarding the empty aerodromone that he was leaving on a sandbar, released it from the electric clutches of the Eagle. Then he flew up again, with Rositta sitting motionless and unseeing on the bench. Sending the Eagle toward the south, he turned on full speed. The man who had outwitted his enemies was silent, watching the rich country run backward under him. Neither spoke on the long journey southward to the Garden of Eden. CHAPTER XXIV. S Dawn. A small house had been erected neat the Crystal Lake. It had two rooms and kitchen, that was all; but it bad been pleasantly and well furnished with everything a lone woman might want. When Napoleon assisted Rositta from the aerodromone be led her into the pleasant living-room She followed him obediently, as if in a trance, seating herself in the chair indicated without a word. "This is your future borne, Rositta,” he said, simply. She did not reply, but sat looking out the window, at the dear lake and the steep mountain sides that overshadowed the little valley forbiddingly. A strange fire shone In her eyes.

She stood up slowly and- cautiously ahd stepped -to the window- She looked out at the beautiful green foliage and the blooming flowers for a long time, and Napoleon did not disturb her. Her actions commanded respect: A smile appeared op. her face, a Smile that reminded Napoleon of his own mother; it expressed mother love, the most holy of aIL “See—see how green the grass is! How blue the eky is! How mild the air, and the water of the Lago di Maggiore is as smooth as a mirror.” Bhe beckoned to Napoleon. "Just look at that sweet little girl, see how she runs on the shore—she is after a butterDon’t you see her, man! Don’t you see her?” She gasped these last words hoarsely and grasped Napoleon’s arm. A nameless terror had his noble soul In its grip. "Answer me, do you see her?” She began to sob. “Ah, don’t say no—say you see her. She is my own little girl. She' Is good and not like her mother. She is good, I say! She must be good to be happy.” She sobbed wildly. Turning to Napoleon Bhe screamed: “Speak! Oh, speak to me, er I ehall go mad entirely.” He took her hands in his and in a mild voice said: “Rositta, be quiet;, you don’t know what you are saying.” She pushed him away. A wild look came into her eyes. “You fiend! You have killed ine. and I’ll kill you now!” Her hand slipped into her bosom and a short gilt Venetian dagger glistened brightly. She darted forward blindly and Just mißsed Napoleon.- Her dagger struck the wall fiercely. The blade broke and fell with a sharp clink tq the floor. The next moment she fainted in Napoleon’s arms.

He carried her to the sofa and brought fresh water to revive her. For two long hours her soul traveled through unknown regions where there is neither time nor distance. When she opened her eyes again she was not the same youthful, vivacious Rositta. She had become old. She did not speak for a long time, and Napoleon had the patience to await her pleasure, notwithstanding his neglected duties at Washington. At last she sat up and said weakly: “Napoleon Edison, you have won. You are strong; lam weak. The Queen Rositta is dead. The only one I ever truly loved, my little daughter, is dead, and now I can mourn the rest of my life. You may go, Napoleon. That kiss of yours on the roof at Helgoland—that kiss given as alms —is responsible for all I have done.” She offered her hand. "Please go; there are many awaiting you. I want to rest in this solitude.” Napoleon took her hand. “Good-by. Should you need me, there is a special signal arrangement in the other room; use it.” He left, and she watched his form disappear in the dark night. The man she had once feared, loved and hated was gone, and, it was strange, but she found all these conflicting emotions gone as well. That was the last ever heard of she once-famous Princess SchomburgLithow, the ambitious Queen of the Air. En route to Washington Napoleon talked with his men on Ciryne. Whistler told him that his instructions had been carried out to the letter and Sullivan told of the successful capture of the four aerodromones from the west.^It was ten o’clock in the morning when he sighted the capital, and Congress was in session. The newspapers had already described the battle between the Eagle and the Princess and the capture of the whole aerodromone flotilla. \<Phistler had reported to the proper authorities, but no one knew what had become of the Princess Rositta. Loud shouts filled the chamber when -Napoleon came in. Representatives left their chairs and, lifting him up, carried him on their shoulders to his

chair. He stood there a moment and the enthusiastic audience became silev.t. Representatives of the Unitec Republics of America! “I haye to tell you that the dangers surrounrtlng us, caused by the designing and ambitious Princess von-Schombury-Lithow, are dissipated forever. Her reet of aerodromones le in m f possession and will be disposed of as you see fit. -—• -~- “This act of force, committed by me 1 alone, was done in tbe Interest of peace, according to tbe twelfth chapter of tbe international peace p&clum, that holds the. president of the peace committee responsible for peace between nations.

"The manufacturing of- aerodromones is my exclusive privilege for

the next seventeen years, according to patents secured, and, since 1 believe this abortive attempt to crush liberty will not be repeated, t* take pleasure in offering my sixty aerodromones to the United Republics of America, to be used in accordance' with arrangements to be made. I will reserve the right of ownership and the engagement of aeromen for the machines.” An enthusiastic “hurrah!” sounded and after quiet was restored Napoleon continued: “The*men captured on the Princeee’ fleet are to be returned to their respective countries and tried as conspirators <■ against the world peace committee and I have no doubt that amicable relations will soon exist between all tbe nations. “The United Republics of America is a monument to Freedom and Peace. These two conditions create "satisfaction, wealth and advancement of such character that we are nearer the Almighty, who created man in his own image.” Napoleon was interrupted here by an* attendant, who slipped a small envelope into his hand. It was addressed" to him in his mother’s wellknown handwriting. He tore it open, ran through the lines and his face became radiant with happiness. He waved his hand toward the waiting audience and without another word quickly hall. His erratic actions would have caused uneasiness if his face had not been" so expressive of happiness. He had hardly reached the exit when the* representatives cheered once again. He waved his hand in acknowledgment and dashed out. He raced to the elevator that carried him to his aerodromone and in a few'minutes he was on the roof of the Crystal Palace. He quickly descended to the apartment of Astra, his wife. His mother awaited him outside the door; their embrace told much. A minute later the great man, the hero, the patriot, the inventor, was kneeling at the bedside of a smiling, happy mother, murmuring broken phrases of joy at her well-being. At the mother’s request, with shaking hands in fear of hurting him, he raised the little, kicking boy and, as he kissed his son, he said with wet eyes: “My son, thou shalt be a citizen of a happier and more peaceful age.” • * * —*■ • There is little more to say. That afternoon Napoleon looked through the mail that had accumulated and |ound Count von Werdenstein’s message addressed to Astra. He carried it, together with other urgent letters, to her. She asked him to read It 1 0 her. . ' “Your Ladyship: My secret service agents have informed me that the Princess Schomburg Lithow is planning to overthrow the present peaceful balance that exists all over the world. “I was reared a man of arms and I have been a believer in our glorious traditions. It has taken a long time for me to realize the blessings of Equality, Liberty and Fraternity, but I have realized them' at last. “I regret that I have not the power to crush the princess’ conspiracy, for which I, personally, am to blame. On account of my inability to do tbiß 1 beg your ladyship to inform your honorable husband of the contents of this letter. He Is the only one who can check the uprising, and I hope this will find him prepared. “For the future, I intend to do all I can to make the coming generation a better and more contented one. I intend to try to follow the example set by the man whom I now appreciate. “In the hope that my warning will reach you in good time and will be of service to your ladyship, I remain, with Bincere regards, “VON WERDENSTEIN.” ”1 am glad that a man like the count has seen the light,” was Napoleon’s simple comment when he had finished reading the letter. Astra’s eyes rested lovingly on Napoleon, then wandered over to the crib in which their baby boy slept. They both felt the dawn of a happier age. THE END.

"My Son, Thou Shalt Be a Citizen of a Happier and More Peaceful Age.”