The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1908-07-31

liantly lighted drawing room amid
ships, that already he had been lifted
into the light of stars and was flying
through space over the Atlantic ocean
at a speed of 600 miles an hour. It
was incomprehensible that before his
first questions had been answered the
ribbon Of the channel had been passed
and Ireland had lost itself in the
eastern horizon. Gravely interested
and steadily courteous, he inspected
the %radioplane under the guidance Of
the inventor and his daughter, who
made known to him its capabilities,
and 1t was his own suggestion that
the trip might be extended to the
Chesapeake, where the fleet of the
Lion was moored. For once the first
lord of the admiralty showed eager
ness, and was visibly pleased when
Bevins said there could be no objec-
ton to the kings desire.
Between the inventor and the king,
as they sped westward, there was es-
tablished a friendship. Gruff and
querulous "Old Bill" Roberts, demo-
cratic to the core, and respecting men
only for their real worth, found in
this quiet, s~elf-contained guest one
whom he could admire. And to the
monarch the scientist was the most
interesting mar he had ever met, con-
sidering that his past achievements
had gained worldwide fame, to be
capped with the surprising creation
Of this aerial masterpiece. From time
to time he glanced at the stately
American girl, who sat silently beside
the prime minister. He found him
self puzzled by the brooding wistful-
ness of her eyes and specializing as
to what yearning had mirrored its
sadness in their depths.
Not until Bevins had recounted the
tale of the western battle did the king
realize that IN occasion the supple
hands of the girl might become things
Of steel, and that within her was a
soul of flame. She begged permission
to- retire before the admiral had fairly
begun his story, and vas not there to
hear that stern old veteran of the
a conclude with the trenchant
statement: 1T was not I, your males
ty, who won the battle that day; it
was that slip Of a girl who led the
cohorts of the Eagle down upon
them. 1t was she who clasped the
flag in her arms when the battle was
DONE"
The men in the room leaned forward
in silence when Bevinsi ended. They
had been carried away into the realm
Of Imagination to picture the stirring
clash Of mighty arms and valorous
deeds. Before anyone could speak an
officer appeared at the door.
II have to report that we are above
the Chesapeake, SIR" he said to his
superior.
It was the breaking Of reverie, the
sharp call from the past to the pres
ent, and the king rose expectantly.
The lights of the Roberts flashed out
and left them In darkness. The ports
below opened, and they grouped them
selves round them, with night glasses
rendered by their host.
The waning moon lighted up the
quiet reaches far beneath, and out
lined in diminutive spectral shapes
the feet Of anchored ships. The great
machine swooped lower until they
could descry the t%elescoped tunnels,
from whose ragged mouths came no
curl of smoke, and the barred decks
whose lengths were paced only by
men Of the watch. Aside from these
there was no sign Of life. A mighty
squadron, bereft Of power, floating on
still waters beneath a dying moon!
II America wished to prove her su-
premacy, the lesson was complete
The royal shoulders outlined against
the light Of the port gave one great
shudder Of sorrow, and turned away.
When the shutters closed and the
lights returned, the king was resting
his brow upon his hand, the lord OF
the admiralty was standing with tight
" clasped hands, and the prime min.
lister was leaning with folded arms
against the polished frame Of the port
through which he had viewed Brtton's
%vanquished PRIDE.
IT your majesty pleases," the voice
Of the American admiral broke into
the quietude, Il have promised to land
Miss Roberts and Admiral Fields be
fore our return. With your consent
We sshall step IN the place chosen tQE
III our vi5l,s % washington, a the
outskirts"
The monarch still thinking Of the
silent fleet, assented, and the radio.
plane swept downward at . tangent
TO the lonely field. Again the lights
went out, the port opened, and the
slight shock Of landing was felt. Al a
most instantly man In uniform stood
beforeSit and saluted the admiral, who
started back III surprise.
message for you. Sir, from the
president and secretary Of the navy,
with requests that itssbe opened and
read Immediately, the officer an
nounced. .S5
Beyins returned to the light 81 hood
and read: ss
kindly report 70 the White House
Immediately upon arrival In case
hia majesty. the kinR@ofNEnRland, has