Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 41, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 October 1908 — THE VANISHING FLEETS [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE VANISHING FLEETS

By ROY NORTON

ILLUSTRATED BY A. WEIL

’***■ *~T T "~ tn-*»J Bn| -n“Do you wqnder,” he said, "that I swore to give my life to peace? Is it strange that I who have suffered have taken unusual means to keep others from suffering as I and mine have? I have invited you here not as the president of a nation, but as man to men to help me put —an —end—to -—war!’’ ■ Every word of his final declaration was bitten off with sharp emphasis and accentuated by a fist which beat time. The king was suddenly conscious that he had leaned forward in his chair so far that nothing but the tense grip of his hands upon the arms had held him down. In all his years he had witnessed no such scene of emotion as this, nor heard a more earnest The president} as if regretting his lack of control, settled wearily into his seat. He had said things in a way that in any other man would have been undignified; but he, Inspired by the grandeur of his purpose, failed to realize that an angel with a flaming sword could scarcely have been more impressive. He had been addressing no ordinary audience. Before,- him was an august ruler, but more than that, a great man. And in the hush which followed, - the sovereign rose from his seat, stepped across to the desk, and for one of the few times in his life gave untrammeled vent to his feelings as a man. He put his hand out across the polished mahogany top as the tall form of the president straightened up. Their hands met in one strong grip of understand-

Ing, and they looked squarely Into each other’s eyes, reading, comprehending, and binding themselves together In a common purpose for humanity. ' It was not the etiquette which demands that all men shall stand when a king Is on his feet that brought the ethers from their chairs, erect, breathless and motionless. It was rather the Impulsive respect and veneration due to two great minds which before their very eyes were entering an unwritten compact for a high and noble cause. Once more they took their seats; but now by the subtle alchemy of humanity they drew their chairs together. They were no longer rulers and subjects, Englishmen and Americans, but men Inspired with magnanimity toward all their fellow beings. They were oft a Godlike plane reasoning out momentous plans Involving the nations of the world and all mankind. From their combined fund of knowledge they evolved methods which were to strengthen the weak and put In leash the strong. All reckoning of time was lost in this review of what had been accomplished and wjiat was to be done. The night paled, the sun crept up; the lights of the darkness were extingulstred, and the day advanced without their heeding It. The last tentative clause was signed, and each knew the part which his country must play. Again they were all upon their feet, looking Into one another's faces and abruptly conscious of weariness and relaxation. Too overcome to resume their homeward journey, the visitors accepted Ihe hospitality of the White House for a few hours* rest, and staggered to their rooms. Once, more than a hundred years before, an unwise king had caused a war between brothers which had sent them on diverse paths. Each had prospered but held aloof. And now after all this time a wiser king bad proffered his hand, and the brothers were to be friends again In truth, and were to travel side by side unto the • n<l - • ch Amr SR xkH. • Lights in the Night. That night for the first time a radio

plane flew through lhe fir from Washington to New York, wherje it came to fearth in a portion of Central Park adjacent to one of the most exclusive hotels. It wafc.not late in the evening; but while It did not court discovery neither did"it use any great endeavor to -avoid it. Those aboard had only one wish, which was te avoid the gathering of a crowd. The machine was the Roberts, conveying the king and his counselors for a short interview with the higher officers of the British fleet. They had bade good-by to the man in the White House, who was henceforth to hold a place in their strongest admiration and friendship, and were now preparing for their homeward journey. The park entrances had *been closed In advance, and the public debarred from its paths, hence there was no demonstration when the party stepped out of the craft and took seats in a motor car which had been awaiting their arrival. Only the secretary of state and Bevins accompanied them as escorts to the glaring entrance of the hotel, and even the august clerks were unaware of the identity of their visitors. With polite insolence the party was directed to a parlor until the manager could be summoned, and he on being informed that the king wished to meet his officers at once, conducted them to the elevator which carried them upward. By requisition of the government the entire top floor had been given up to the accommodation of the British guests, and with them on this night as entertainers were many of the higher officers of the American navy who thrdughout the war had been forced to rest In Idleness. The realization that their days of seafaring were nearly at an end bad not come to them with full force, and all within the extemporized naval club were simply awaiting and hoping for orders which would put an end to Inactivity. Beneath the shaded lights of the celling were many tables, at some of which men in fatigue uniforms were being initiated into an American game which seemed to find favor, while at others spirited discussions were being held. Wreaths. of smoke curling up to meet the lights added to the air of informality, and a burst of laughter In one corner of the room indicated the success of some raconteur. The door swung Spen noiselessly, and on its threshold stood one who looked smilingly at the idle veterans of two nations. He stood thus for an Instant before the crusty old Scotch admiral known to his fellows as “Jimmy” Barr lifted his eyes in the direction of the door. His mouth opened In astonishment beneath its bearding of red, and his sharp eyes frowned as he peered across the shoulder of the man opposite, and then, with one hurried leap he gained his feet, upsetting his chair In his haste. His heels came together, and bls arm was raised In salute as he exclaimed loudly: “Gentlemen, the king!”

Instantly those In the room looked at the admiral and then at the en- ' trance. There was the muffled sound of chairs hastily shoved across the carpeted floor, startled exclamations, and a hurried rising. Two score of , hands came to the salute, and a dramatic moment followed in which their owners strove to gather their wits. It was almost unbelievable that their sovereign was before them. The king looked at them gravely, and then took a few steps forward, ! and his companions followed. He stopped almost in front of Barr, and slowly raised his hand, with, open , fingers in a gesture which combined I greeting and a demand for attention. He wasted neither time nor words. | "My men,” he said, "I have come from a conference with his excellency, the president of the United States, j Its results will be made known to you within the course of a few days at the most, or hours at the least. I have come to say to you that In submitting yourselves to an invincible power for reasons which you could not fathom you acted wisely and pow have our full approval.” • The British officers exchanged quick side glances of relief. Barr I alone had the temerity to break Into lan open smile of satisfaction. They j were not, then, to be censured by 1 their country, and the situation would bear no disgrace. His majesty conI tinned: "You hava unwittingly, assisted in ' reuniting the Anglo-Saxon race, I hope, after its separation of nearly a I century and a half. You have been made Involuntary guests by a man ■ whose friendship I esteem, and whom I I honor above all men. I refer to the i president of this nation, and I ask ' that you remember him as kindly as I I do. Your countrymen will have no I just cause for criticising you or your I actions. Instructions will be sent yon In due time through the admiralty. Until then you are to maintain patience. I wish you good night.” With dignified grace be bowed to them, took a step backward, turned on his heel, and was going before they grasped the significance of his speech | or from the wonder of his | unexpected visit to this alien land. . The clang of an elevator door recalled them and stirred them to action. They ran after him, rang for and surged into the elevators, to debouch on the street a minute later a group of hatless men craving further explanations and wishing to honor tbelr ruler. They crowded to the edge of the pavement beside which the motor ■ car was humming fn readiness for Its start. The king saw them coming, smiled at their eagerness, and turned to Bevins with a question which they could not hear. The American admiral gave a laughing reply, and the monarch leaned over to Jimmy Barr, who was standing on the curb close at

“My host, the admiral,” the king said, “says lack of time prevents your accompanying us. Otherwise we should ask you to witness our embarkation. We are returning to London on a radioplane to-night,'and the world's mystery is at an end. We must say good night.” ” The lights of the hotel entraned were full upon them, bringing out in detail to the curious'guests who were gathering on the marble steps the men with bared heads and the graybearded English gentleman In the machine. They saw him nod to the chauffeur, who was looking back, saw the latter turn to his work, and then the machine leaped away Into the broad drive toward the nearest park entrance. And to the amazement of the onlookers the men In uniform stood at salute until the machine had disappeared. Not even then did they disperse, but stood there silently watching the skies. Pedestrians joined the group, speculating as to the cause of this uniformed gathering. Several minutes elapsed, and then from one and another- came startled •xalamatlons. Up from the rilent park, soaring above the trees and shrubbery with stately sweep, came a strange row of brilliant lights. The secret was odt at last, and the Amen loan officers gave a ' frantic cheer, which was joined In by the Englishmen, and taken up by the crowd. As if to recognize their parting shouts, the searchlights of the Roberts in dazzling ripples of color flared suddenly upward and round In fan-shaped sweeps, which were finally directed full upon the streets below. At a comparatively low altitude the craft went slowly across the city and headed toward the Atlantic, while men upon the pavements beneath took up the cry, until from all sides windows opened and the people rushed Into the streets for a sight of this mysterious aerial visitor. Reaching the lower edge of the bity, the radloplane shot up and up until it was a speck of light against the stars, took one last circling flight, and with marvelous speed disappeared in the east. And while America was gaining her first knowledge o( this incredible flying machine, the Roberts was shooting away In a long straight track for the old world(To be continued.)

"A Message for You, Sir, from the President and Secretary of the Navy."