The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1908-07-28
CHAPTER XIV.
The Last Cruise.

famous city OF New York the after
noon sun was drawing the curtains OF
a gala day. Triumphal arches spanned
the throbbing streets. and down the
fronts OF the towering buildings
streamed wealth of smothering color
where the flags OF all nations were In.
termingled. Not within It's existence
bad this city by the sea. this nav OF
the nation, entertained such gallant
throngs.
Smart British officers drove here
and there in company with friends.
Gayly mandarins stared through
narrow eyes at the somber men OF
Japan: fez crowned Turks smiled At
g0rgeously uniformed men from the
Balkans: German officers. splendidly
erect traversed the streets in CON
pany with soldiers OF that other
eagles race, the Russians; colonials
from Australia hobnobbed with men
OF New Zealand and the folk OF Italy
bowed gravely to the cavaliers Of old
Spain. who had been watching a grouI
from that other republic. France. Rep
resentatives OF the world had assem-
bled. under the pretext OF vitnessins
an international marriage. to pay def
ercnce 70 the one inyincible power
IL was in reality more than that: 1
was the universal ratification OF peace
OF mutual disbandment and disarma
ment.
As the day heightened the cit,
poured It's throng TO the shores OF tn
bay, where we're assembled yarie,
squadrons The time for the depai
ture OF these was at hand. and scurry
ing launches conveyed aboard n,
men whom they had brought 10 thl
alien wedding These eminent pa
sengers were among the comparative
few who had Witnessed the ceremon,
and had gained more than a casua
glance at the bride and groom Thos'
other thousands had been contente
with a stare az Hitler and his wife a
tsey rode In state through the broade
thoroughfares In the morning sunlight
and for details had read the newsps
pers which. gIorying in a plethora
news. had told them all
Nothing had been neglected. MOI
even the fact that this clean-cut Ems
lishman had given the best that wa
in him for his country. and that III
calm-eyed American girl was the on,
who had played her part In war an,
was the idol OF her countrymen. Al
ready they had published pictures OF
the king and president. who as guests
had stood side by side. and portraits
of the most distinguished men OF the
globe who had deferentially taken
places behind them. Only one thlne
was hidden from the eager public. and
that was the manner In which they
had been reunited.
Guy. saddened and worn by failure.
had been one OF the first TO enter the
United States when the barrier against
the world was thrown down, and
Norma, still yearning for his love.
had gone to his arms as II nothing had
ever held them apart. She was q
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 20 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.
ton unknown.
They had retreated TO the secluslon
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 embarkstion took place
along the water front OF the city
which doomed far behind them. they
stood on a 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 20 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 fight OF aerial things
in orderly formation. The girls hands
clasped themselves together as she
watched.
There they we're. 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
or the waters beneath them the slow
moving shapes OF ships OF the sea.
The radioplsnes were traversing The
air as an escort above those others In