The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1909-04-24
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what then? Are there any who can
work the radioplanes?"
Yes. by nightly flights we have
trained crews for all and more than
we have built"
but there should be some expert
guiding mind who knows the secret OF
the craft"
Father had intended to accompany
them and himself direct the leading
radioplane in case Of attack"
The president threw up his hand in
a gesture of hopelessness. The time
for attack was fast approaching, and
could not be postponed on account OF
the inventors illness. Norma, who
had been standing beside window,
confronted the worried head of the
nation.
"You forget" she said, "that I have
youth, strength, will and knowledge.
Neither my fathers nor my country's
cause shall suffer"
He walked across the room, tower
ing above her in ungainly strength.
took both her hands in his and looked
deeply into her eyes. You mean"
THAT If my father is too Ill to go, I
myself will fight the Japanese. my
self will give what expert advice is
needed, and will demonstrate to the
| others what must be done In battle"
| Infiamed by the thought of what was
dependent upon her, pride in her IA
Their, and Americanism, she was ready
to accept the responsibility, even
though it might cost her life.
They stood in silence, holding each
others hands. He stopped over her.
his sad eyes filled with an admiration
which was akin to generation, and
kissed her.
Joan of Arc! Joan Of Arc!" he
whispered, and said no more.
She had been told that a train
awaited. Together they walked to the
door of the presidents study through
the halls, and to the outer portal. I'm
needing those who we're near, he
caught her hand and held 1t to his
breast, looking once more into her
eyes.
God bless and keep you, my child"
he said. and abruptly turned back to
his seclusion, his head dropped for
ward between his massive shoulders
and his arms swinging loosely at his
Sides
The day was not yet done, and be
fore the next had dawned came the
announcement that the Hawaiian II
lands had also been surrendered II
the foe. The coterie Of men within
the secret held their meeting and con
!, graduated each other that orders hat
!, been obeyed, no defense made. and
loss of life obviated. But the public
must be pacified. The swift conveninl
of congress, its authorization of tn,
! administration to act, and the appeas
ing notice to the public that well
!. ). defined policy was being pursued, fol
- lowed one after the other, but still
were not understood.
e Night and day now the presiden
n and his associates toiied and planned
o Report after report came to them, ur
y til they knew that the hour to act ha
y come. The spell of seeming letharg
II was at an end, and with unprect
y dented swiftness the Gordon wa
+ thrown round the nation, its port
le closed, and its communication shu
W of save through channels of the secre
"a service, which was intensely active.
'e Time was computed to the minut'
le and when the fleet of conquest sale
u from Japan the very latitude an
y longitude of the point where 1t wa
IL to be met were communicated to th
u headquarters in Florida. where ha
10 been renewed energy.
Hence 1t was that, as darkness ono
more mantled that isolated spot,
o. strange scene was witnessed. 1t Wa
Sc the departure of that invincib
AZ squadron of the air for the scene
ne battle. Night after night they ha
10 Unanswered, till those who name
le- them were masters of their craft ar
UT of the new form OF signals which wei
" to be used In case of emergency. Eve
az detail was complete, every possib
te precaution xas taken TO avert ac'
dent.
az (rO BE CONTINUED.)