The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1908-06-05

Ing M listening, Kicking n ASH now
and then from his cigar and smooth.
ing an end of leaf which had pulled
loose.
1.-The reason this is necessary" the
officer fastened to add, "s that your
people will never understand the pow.
er Of the United States nor believe In
It on less distinguished testimony than
that which you will be able to render.
Even then 1t will be hard for them to
comprehend that my country is in pos.
session of an engine of war that, could
bring all nations to its feet, or ami
hilate them II it chose"
His hearers stiffened up for a mo.
ment, reading in this placid assertion
q threat.
"No, it not a menace to you or the
world, If you will but grant my wish.
| Gentlemen, 1 am asking you to be my
guests in the lame of humanity, which
is above all rulers and above all gov
ernments!" His voice raj vibrant
and almost pleading in his anxiety to
gain his point.
The king alone seemed half in
clined to &c. q" have known Bevins
for 80 years." he said slowly, land we
have been very good friends, indeed
intimate at times, and / would intrust
my life in his keeping; but a man and
q king are two different beings. AS \
man 1 would go at once; but as the
representative head of a nation. l can
not take the risk unless there Is no
other way"
The minister and the lord OF the
admiralty spoke together in their dis.
approval, and besought their superior
to refuse such a demand under any
and all conditions. Bevins saw b a
he was losing his point, and stepped
into the breach.
"Wait!" he begged, rising to his
feet. will your majesty permit me
to bring other proof that what l ask
is for the best?"
The king nodded.
Then grant me an order to the
guard at the door which will enable
me to pass without interruption. and
return"
There was the pressure Of a button,
an order to the equerry to do as the
visitor wished, and the officer bowel
himself out of the room.
His majesty's advisers began an
impassioned appeal that he should IN
der all circumstances refuse to leave
the security of his palace. They
pointed out the dangers which might
assail him in many ways. despite the
fact that his visitor was his friend;
but to all of these advices he made no
reply, lounging in q careless attitude
and blowing wreaths of smoke toward
the shaded electric lights above his
head. There was a rap at the door,
and it was thrown open by an equerry.
who stood at attention, his face be
traying no sign of anything unusual.
Into the room entered another visi'
tor, followed by Bevins, who closed
the door after him. The materializa.
ton of a ghost could have created nc
greater surprise. The king dropped
his cigar on the carpet and, like his
companions. jumped to his feet and
stood like a statue. The prime minis
ter's hand was half poised in the air
and remained there while the lord OF
the admiralty showed his head forward
in an attitude of awe-struck question.
ing.
The king broke the silence. Field!
Is that you?" he asked, in utter aston.
ishment.
Eyes, your majesty, 1t is l." and he
advanced to meet the king, who sud
denly held out his hand.
The others rushed forward almost
incoherent in greeting the admiral
who had sailed away in command of
the great feet of demonstration and
had been given up as dead.
Field was apparently enjoying the
situation, and waited until they began
to ask question before expressing his
views. II am under my word of hon.
or, or 1 might say parole
Not that" Bevfns interrupted. you
are not a prisoner"
We'll, under promise then, that I
shall say nothing concerning the mys-
terry which / now thoroughly under
stsnd." He made a little grimace as
If the subject brought up unpleasant
recollections Of defeat, and went
Il am here tonight as the guest OF
our friend the admiral. He has told
me of his failure 20 convince you that
what he asks is necessary. and l have
come to add my arguments to his.
urging upon you to do as he says. He
has told you the truth when he says
that it may e an end to war"
The ministers and the lord Of the
admiralty looked shocked; but the
king made a decision without hest
fancy. II win accept. and believe it
best that the others should accompany
me-" It was conclusive.
They donned their light coats. and
when the monarch stepped from his
wardrobe a moment later he. too, was
CARRIED for his trip and preceded them
down the Railways. through corridors
and arched doors. over heavy car.
pets where the noise Of their feet was
deadened. and across tiled floors
where the ring Of their boot-heels dis
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