The Washburn leader., 1908-08-07

world figure now, and the world was
at her feet. Behind him was nothing
save the knowledge Of earnest en-.
deavor and honest defeat; but to her
he had been the same, nor did she an
ticipate that king would later take
his hand and say. well done, even
though you failed
They had passed the brief days
prior to the ceremony in dread, court
ing neither the display nor the lime.
light into which they were driven by
the parts they had played. The pub
licity had been against their wishes,
and the gifts of the world in which
each country We'd afforded no pleasure
equal to that of being alone and at
rest with each other. They had seized
the first opportunity after the mar
riage to escape, leaving their destina-
tion unknown.
They had retreated to the seclusion
Of Atlantic Highlands where the great
beacon stands facing the broad
stretch of open sea, and where they
might be removed from the pomp and
pageantry of nations. And even as
that great embarkation took place
along the water front of the city
which loomed far behind them. they
stood on cliff by the ocean side.
They had avoided the last act in the
drama of Difference, reception given
to the president and the inventor, and
were content to be left alone.
Suddenly from the far away bay
came the slow, sullen undertone OF
guns in salute. Again came the thun-
derous monotone, and then, emerging
from the distant haze into the clearer
air, appeared a flight of aerial things
in orderly formation. The girls hands
clasped themselves together as !. she
watched.
There they were, 20 miles away, the
ships-her ships-which she had led
out to victory and directed through
the maze and turmoil of battle. She
stood silent and spellbound as they
slowly advanced, and then discerned
on the waters beneath them the slow
moving shapes of ships of the sea.
The radioplanes were traversing the
air as an escort above those others in
final parade. In twin procession the
fleets came nearer, embodiments of
might.
The guns Of Governors island
belched as they advanced; then from
opposite sides of the channel the
voices of Forts Lafayette and Hamil-
ton gave greeting and farewell. On
ward they swept to where the colossal
statue of Liberty held her beacon
aloft in token of a new enlightenment
of the world, and the cannon of the
sea fleet spoke for the first time in
unison, saluting as they passed in one
terrible explosion of sound which re.
verberated along the shores and was
thrown back by the echoes. Here
they came, the dying gladiators of all
nations, sailing out to doom!
Well in front were the vanquished
squadrons of Japan, their tunnels re-
paired for the last cruise they would
ever make, but stripped of fighting
masts. Back of them came the
mighty ships of England, with prows
turned outward for their final voy-
age. German cruisers, graceful and
well manned, followed; while in their
wakes could be seen others flying the
banners of Italy, of France, of Rus
sia, and nearly every maritime nation
of the globe. Flanking this assem-
blage were the vessels of the Ameri-
can navy, which but a short time be-
fore had been regarded as the coun-
try's bulwarks, and were now par
ticipating in the last review.
The science of ages, the experience
Of all who had gone down to the sea,