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

up to the accommodation Of the Brit
ish guests, and with them on this
night as entertainers were many of
the higher officers Of the American
navy who throughout the war had
been forced to rest in idleness. The
realization that their days Of seafar-
ing were nearly at an end had not
come to them with full force, and all
within the extemporized naval club
were simply awaiting and hoping for
orders which would put an end to in
activity.
/: Beneath the shaded lights Of the
ceiling were many tables, at some Of
which men in fatigue uniforms were
being initiated into an American
game which seemed to find favor,
while at others spirited discussions
were being held. Wreaths Of smoke
curling up to meet the lights added
to the air of informality, and a burst
Of laughter in n corner of the room
indicated the success Of some racon-
teur. The door swung open noiseless-
ly, and OF its threshold stood one who
looked smilingly at the idle veterans
of two nations. He stood thus for an
instant before the crusty old Scotch
admiral known to his fellows as "Jim-
my" Barr lifted his eyes in the direc-
ton of the door. His mouth opened
In establishment beneath it's boarding
of red, and his sharp eyes frowned as
he peered across the shoulder Of the
man opposite, and then, with one hur-
ried leap he gained his feet, upset
ting his chair in his haste. His heels
came together, and his arm was raised
in salute as he exclaimed loudly:
Gentlemen, the king!"
Instantly those in the room looked
at the admiral and then at the en-
trance. There was the muf11ed sound
of chairs hastily showed across the
carpeted floor, startled EXPLANATIONS,
and a hurried rising. Two score of
hands came to the salute, and a dra-
matte moment followed in which their
owners strove to gather their wits.
It was almost unbelievable that their
sovereign was before them.
IL hIIlS 1OOhSu dI lIO11 SIdSclyS
and then took a few steps forward,
and his companions followed. He
stopped almost in front of Barr, and
slowly raised his hand, with open
fingers in a gesture which combined
greeting and a demand for attention.
He. wasted neither time nor words.
"My men," he said, II have come
from a conference with his excellen.
cy, the president Of the United States.
It's results will be made known to
you within the course of a few days
at the most, or hours at the least. I
have come to say to you that in sub
hitting yourselves to an %inyincible
power for reasons which you could
not fathcm you acted wisely and now
have u full approval"
q, The British officers exchanged
quick side glances of relief. Barr
alone had the tererity to break into
an open smile of satisfaction. They
were not, then, to be censured by
their country, and the situation would
bear no disgrace. His majesty con.
tinued:
you have unwittingly assisted in
reuniting the Anglo-Saxon race,
hope, after its separation of nearly a
century and a half. You have been
made involuntary guests by a man
whose friendship I esteem, and whom
l honor above all men. I refer to the
president of this nation, and I ask
that you remember him as kindly as
I do. Your countrymen will have no
just cause for criticising you Or your
actions. Instructions will be sent you
in due time through the admiralty.
Until then you are to maintain pa
tience. 1 wish you good night"
With dignified grace he bowed to
them, took a step backward, turned on
his heel, and was going before they
grasped the significance of his speech
or awakened from the wonder Of his
unexpected visit to this alien land.
The clang. of an elevator door recalled
them and stirred them to action.
They ran after him, rang for and
surged into the elevators, to debouch
on the street a minute later a group
Of hatless men craving further ex-
plantations and wishing to honor their
ruler. They crowded to the edge Of
the pavement beside which the motor
car was humming in readiness for it's
start.
The king saw them coming, smiled
at their eagerness, and turned to
Bevins with a question which they
could not hear. The American ad.
miral gave a laughing reply, and the
monarch leaned over to Jimmy Barr,
who was standing on the curb close at
hand.
"My host, the admiral" the king
said, says lack Of time prevents your
accompanying us. Otherwise we
should ask you to witness our en-
barkation. We are returning to Lon
don on a r%adioplane tonight, and the
worlds mystery is at an end. We
must say good night"
The lights Of the hotel entrance
were full upon them, bringing out in
detail to the curious guests who were
gathering on the marble steps the
men with barred heads and the gray
bearded English gentleman In the ma
chine. They saw him nod to the
chauffeur, who was looking back, saw