The Washburn leader., 1908-08-07
CHAPTER XIII.
Peace Is Declared.

The world had become an instrn
ment attuned to the breaking pitch,
and awoke to have every string within
1T played upon in day. It was
royal tune In which city after city was
called upon to contribute. London,
which had passed sleepless night,
was astir before dawn, aroused into a
pitch of terrific excitement by the re-
turn of the Roberts, which swooped
down from the air aglow with light,
and courting notice.
At the iron gates in front Of the pal
ace, where the sentries were briskly
tramping to and fro until called to-
gether by the descent Of the radio
plane, the Roberts came to the ground
with every searchlight playing into
the air. The alarm had been given
before she came, and guards were
turning out from their barracks and
hurrying to the palace on the run.
with arms in hand to defend Bucking-
ham from the oncoming monster. Not
until 1t was near the ground was it
discovered that from the peaks 1oated
three flags. the Union Jack, the Stars
and Stripes and the white banner Of
truce.
In hasty formation the soldiers
faced the place where the machine
with it's staring eyes would alight, and
rank on rank presented a stubborn
front to the visitor. Their astonish-
ment was incalculable when they rec
ognized as the first man to emerge
from the side of this unexpected
craft the missing king, followed by the
prime minister and the head Of the
navy, as well, all smiling, and all TAX
ing quick cognizance Of the array Of
defenders.
The ranking oficer of the guard re-
covered his poise, gave the command
and the soldiers saluted, after which
he stepped forward in response to the
kings beckoning and received instruc-
tions for the safeguarding of the Rob
erts. Bevins and the secretary of
state, as they walked through the iron
gates, guests of the British nation,
heard the quick precise steps of men
marching to form a square round
their craft, and pictured to them
selves the curiosity which would be
aroused when the day broke.
Thus It was that within an hour
after their arrival crowd was col
lecting which outdid the one that as
sembled to view the Dreadnought on
+, the day Of her return. The strange
and silent Roberts, resting In the road
way and floating the American and
English flags. which had been inter-
twined by the fingers OF friendly
breeze, was Of greater interest than
any other sight within memory. 1t
was rumored through the throng that
the king had returned; but the expla-
nation Of his absence was yet to come.
For once ofiicialdom did not hesitate,
but sent. to the newspapers Of the city
the full account Of the visit to the
United States. together with the rea-.
sons and results, and also the story
OF the feet which had been given up
for lost. It was intimated that the Of
ficial overtures Of the United States
would be made known at q later hour
OF the day through due channels. and
thus the air was charged with expect,
ancy.
IN the meantime Berlin too had
been given it's time Of tumult The
return Of the emperor had been no
less. astounding; but he with charac.s
teristic energy had no sooner stepped
within the doors OF his palace than
ho called his secretaries and dictated
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