The Washburn leader., 1908-07-10

which subjected the men at the head
of the government to their greatest
trial. Work was stopped on all forti-
fications, beginning with those in the
Philippines. It was accepted by the
public as foolish curtailment of ex-
pense. Before this had ceased to
rankle in the public mind construction
ceased in nearly all the navy yards;
but the clamor then arose to such a
pitch that outwardly it was resumed,
being done for appearances sake only
and to prevent a revolution.
So dangerous was the pitch of in
dignation that some of the presidents
advisers quailed before the show of
wrath, and feared that an army Of
Americans might march on Washing
ton. They besought the president to
alter his plans and make broadcast an
nouncement of the state Of defense;
but he, his Americanism exceeded only
by his humanitarianism, stood stead
fast. His answer was characteristics:
''Tf our secret becomes known,
there will be no war, and war is ne
cessity for our purpose. In our hands
has been given by miracle the most
deadly engine ever conceived, and We
should be delinquent in our duty if we
failed to use it as means for con-
trolling and tsescby ending wars for
all time. Let us bear with fortitude
whatever reproaches may be heaped
upon lis, for We are the Instruments OF
God, and the trial will last only lit
tie longer. Let no man speak,"
His eyes famed with inspiration,
and, like a prophet of old, he led his
followers in his own footsteps. In
those trying times he was very near to
the God in whom he believed, and
only the walls of his room knew how
often he appealed for light and guild
ance, trembling in spiritual agony,
and, like the martyrs of all ages, cru
Gifted by his fellows.
Events began to move with light
ming like rapidity as May approached.
Secret orders had been given to all
the principal ships in Pacific waters to
withdraw into neutral harbors, it be-
ing the wish of the men who were
playing the stern game that all pos
sible loss of life through accidental
meetings might be obviated. Pacific
commerce withdrew from the western
seas, believing itself unprotected and
the administration mad. From all
sources Of information came the GER
fo{u rtc hof To- n
attack. Her communications became
daily more insolent; but were invari-
ably treated with suave contempt.
And then came day which brought
the most portentous news.
The first was message from the
key that DR.. Roberts had broken
down. 1t was from Brockton, who
made pitiful appeal to the secretary
of the navy to find Norma and either
give permission for her to be brought
back by radioplane, or to have her
sent at once by special train to MI
ami, inasmuch as she, being the sole
sharer of her fathers secret, was now
the only one who could be depended
upon for the metamorphosis of the
plates. The message added that the
inventor was not in a serious condi-
tion, but that overwork overstudy
and overstrain had 80 taken toll that
the surgeons declared he was coming
down with brain fever and that his
very life depended on his taking abb
solute rest.
To hazard another trip Of radio
plane was out of the question, because
the administration was aware that
spies were still in the capital. The
president himself sent messengers to
find the girl on whom so much de-
pended, only to learn at late hour
that she had not yet reached Washing
ton, but was expected to arrive that
night. He preferred to communicate
hfs tidings to her in person, and there
fore left word that she should call at
the White House the following morn
fMtIn the meantime advance prepa-
rrns were made for her conveyance
tsthe island, together with the grim
spld fighting admiral, Bevins, who was
now to assume command of the aerial
forces of America, and those officers
who from time to time had been called
home from various ships.
And then, when night fell and the
presidents cup seemed full, came the
swift and unexpected announcement
that the Japanese had fallen upon the
Philippines. War was on, and the long
expected gauntlet lay in the lists,
while the nation heaved and rocked
in turmoil, quivered with insult, and
cried aloud for vengeance.
When Norma appeared at the White
House she was told of her fathers
condition by the president himself
who was plainly harassed to the limit
W anxiety.
"You can go at once" he said; "but
What then? Are there any who car
bEorK the radioplanes?
eg BY nightly flights we have
jtraieee creYs for all and more thar
| we haSesb<"
'$b 5heres should be some exper
gudiegen&6Ybo knows the secret o
thQ cra&.A .
9EatK Kershsd i1tended to accompan,
tl1rf &n$ lnasef dgect the leadin,
redSpR8 q 5alp osatssck." .
sT4e pf1sSi 9htahr& I his hand Il
gestnrS 6ftfo3eld dsnans, The tim