The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1909-06-12
CHAPTER XXI.
Lights in the Niuht.

Gi9Hts w tne Nf9nt.
That night for the first time a radio
plane flew through the air from Wash
ington to New York, where it came
to earth in portion of Central Park
adjacent to one of the most exclusive
hotels. 1t was not late in the evening;
but while 1t did not court discovery
neither did it use any great endeavor
to avoid it. Those aboard had only
one wish, which was to avoid the gath
ering of crowd. 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 the
man in the White House, who was
henceforth to hold a 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 debarred
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 tAe secretary Of
state and Bevins accompanied them
as escorts to the glazing entrance of
the hotel, and even the august clerks
We're unaware of the identity of their
visitors. With polite insolence the
party was directed to a 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 a burst
of laughter in one corner of the room
indicated the success of some racon-
teur. The door swung open noiseless-
ly, and on 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 its 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 muf1ed sound
of chairs hastily showed across the
carpeted floor. startled ordinations,
and 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.
1t 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, and
slowly raised his hand, with open
fingers In a gesture which combined
greeting and demand for attention.
He wasted neither time nor words.
MY men," he said, Il have come
from 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.
have come to say to you that in sub
hitting yourselves to an invincible
power for reasons which you could
not fathom you acted wisely and now
have our full approval"
ITO DE C0NTTNyTyEn