The Jasper news., 1909-06-10


to avoid 1t. Those aboard had only
one wish, which was to avoid the gath-
ering Of aecrowd, The machine was
the Roberts, conveying the king and
his counselors for a short interview
with the higher officers OF the British
fleet. They had babe good-by to tho
man In the White House, who was
henceforth to hold place In their
strongest admiration and friendship,
and were now preparing for their
homeward journey.
The park entrances had been closed
in advance, and the public deharred
/ from its paths. hence there was no
demonstration when the party stepped
out OF the craft and took seats In a
motor car which had been awaiting
their arrival, Only the secretary Of
state and Beyins accompanied them
as escorts to the glarlng entrance Of
the hotel, and even the august clerks
were unaware OF the identity of their
visitors. With polite insolence the
party was directed to parlor until
the manager could be summoned and
he on being informed that the king
wished to meet his officers at once,
conducted them to the elevator which
carried them upward.
By requisition of the government
the entire top floor had been given
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 burst
OF laughter in one corner Of the room
indicated the success of some racon-
teur. The door. swung open noiseless-
ly, and on it's 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 its boarding
| Of red, and his sharp eyes frowned as
he peered across the shoulder of the
man opposite, and then, with one hurs
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.p
Instantly those In the room looked
| at the admiral and then at the en-
trance. There was the mufled sound
OF chairs hastily showed across the
carpeted floor, startled EXPLANATIONS
and hurried rising. Two score Of
hands came to the salute, and dra
matte moment followed In which theiI
owners strove to gather their wits
It was almost unbelievable that their
sovereign was before them.
| The king looked at them gravely
and then took few steps forward
and his companions followed. He
stopped almost in front of Barr, ant
slowly raised his hand, with oper
fingers in gesture which combined
greeting and 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
Its results will be, made known Il
you within the course OF few day
at the most, or hours at the least.
have come to say to you that in sub
uniting yourselves to an invinciblt
power for reasons which you coult
not fathom you acted wisely and nov
have our full approval"
(To BE coNTINuED.)
| =