The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1907-10-10


dered II their repose really symbol
ized bigger item In the worlds his
tory than even the advent of Japa-
nese Prince, and he had begun to
abandon himself to a long train OF
political speculation, when cab
drew up outside the Offices of The
Rapier.
For the moment he thought II was
Meadows who had arrived. but the
man who descended from the cab
gave Pelham thrill OF excitement
his friend and brother editor had
never done.
IL have come to thank you, and to
explain said his excellency. whep
they met moment later.
He looked very tired and old, not
withstanding the indomitable light
in his eyes, and something OF Pei
hams thought reached him before he
spoke again.
"Ah, yes! 1t has been a trying time
for you and for me-" he said, "but
1t is over now, and we can congratu-
late ourselves on having sealed a new
Japan for a long time to come. Years
ago." he went ON in response to Pei
hams puzzled expression, "two ma
tions of the East and the West made
an alliance. 1t was an alliance of
esteem as we'll as of interest, and
the gods smiled, because 1t made for
the peace and progress of the world.
nd oil 10
the term of years covered by the con-
tract began to draw to close. This
term had been a source of deep re-
gret to certain statesmen of both
countries-they had always consid-
cred 1t far too brief--and now as the
friendship of the two nations off,
cially neared its end, these men
sought to safeguard the future by
absorbing the remnant of the old
treaty in a new one."
He paused for a moment as IL
waiting for Pelham, but the latter
was too spellbound by what he had
heard to speak.
"For this purpose" continued his
excellency, "a son Of our Emperor
came to England. Ostensibly the
visit had little political significance,
but in reality its object was to dis
cuss and, If possible, settle certain
aspects Of the agreement. And in
the wake of the prince came, secretly
and alone. an old watch dog of the
| Empire"
"This old watch dog" resumed his
excellency moment later, "had
spent his youth in England, and it
was to his knowledge of the English
character that the Emperor now con-
fided the final decision of Japan. This
decision, in the last issue, centered
round question of English public
opinion, and thanks to your aid in
the matter, Mr.. Pelham, my course
has been made an easy and an obvi-
GUS one. At any rate" he con-
cluded witt smile, II had sufficient
faith in our experiment to sign a new
treaty this afternoon between Eng
land and Japan"
"But, your excellency, no one
dreams?---''
"No one!" The secret has been
marvellously well kept, and outside
ourselves and the statesmen immedi-
ately concerned, few in England or
Japan have any idea of the moment.
GUS document signed this afternoon.
For your part in the affair, my
friend" he went on, "the Japanese
Government--indeed, may say the
two governments-are deeply CRATE
full; and although they cannot of
course take official cognizance of the
matter, they have deputed me to
make the following proposal, in the
hope that it may redeem any injury
your newspaper may have suffered.
Here" and he drew a document from
his pocket, ais a rough draft of the
salient clauses in the new treaty, and
am at liberty to offer you the choice
of publishing it twenty-four hours
ahead of all your rivals"
Pelham's face was very white and
his voice, when he spoke, uncertain.
| Your excellency means?-"
II mean, my friend, that the Gov
ernments of England and Japan have
agreed to withhold the official an
nouncement of the new treaty for a
period of twenty-four hours" said
his excellency. ''In the meantime
they offer you the privilege of pub
fishing the news, without reserve.
You will not only be the first to an
nounce publicly the greatest political
secret Of modern times, but even the
actual terms of the document now
place unreservedly at your disposal.
No, no, my friend" as Pelham would
speak, do not thank me, rather the
| gods, who have once more proved
their ability to take care of the prin-
ciples. And now, my friend" as he
rose to go, 1--WE must say farewell. My
country has more work for me to do
out there" pointing to the East, "and
l go tonight. We may not meet
again on this sphere, for am old
and my body is growing tired; but
souls that are akin have a place of
meeting-somewhere. We will not
say 'goodby, then--let it be, till we
meet again!'"
He held out his hand as he spoke,
and for a moment they stood in si-
lence--the East and the West-the
one man young and strong, the other
old and tired; but the spirit in the
eyes OF both was the same. Il knew
neither Youth nor Age, hut eternally
works for Freedom, Right and Pro-