The Jasper news., 1909-05-13

the radiopianes at speed which
would bring them to the coast long be-
fore darkness had ceased. In all.the
American feet there was not q man
who did not, know that Lake Wash.
ington at Seattle was their destina-
ton. It's landloclSed sides, guarded by
towering hills and giant forests, and
overlooked by splendid city, was to
be the prison of the enemy's craft.
Its length, its breadth, and its depth
were sufficient to float the combined
navies Of the world.
Their flight wa5 well timed; for 1t
was otill dark wien they swan down
through the air over the waters which
were to reclasp the ships OF Japan In
their usual environment. The Norma
swooped lower and lower, decreased
the speed of her descent, passed over
West Seattle on its little peninsula,
the quiet Puget sound with Its long
wharves, and then gently settled
above the placid lake. Slowly, like a
water fowl wearied of flight and seek.
ing its ease, 1t approached the sur
face, and with infinite care rested Its
burden, until the Ito was again atioat.
Norma, at her chosen post OF duty,
put out tired hand to a controller,
gently moved 1t notch, turned on
the current which made the radio
plane lodestone OF terrific power,
threw another switch as the admiral
beckoned, and then, with a great sigh
of relief, felt the machine lift Itself
into the air, 1t came TO a stop, and
through port, by the admiraps side,
she watched that procession OF dull
red lights emulate her example. Ship
after ship was released, and invariably
the signal came flashing to the eyes:
Deposited without accident" There
was another quick interchange of or
ders; the Norma turned her beak to-
ward the stars of the southeast, gath
cred Roadway, and led her followers
back through the night in homing
fight to the key which had seen their
creation.
The admiral gave great sigh of sat
isfaction for work well done, and
stretched himself out on settee to
rest, looking curiously as he did so at
| the supple figure In the hood which
| for nearly "a hours, had steadily led
| him on to victory. He called to her,
and tried to induce her to accept re-
| lief; but she declined with weary
smile, saying: mo, not until we get
home 1t will be but little while
now"
Something in the words she had
| thoughtlessly used recalled her own
heart longing. What were the
achievements Of war, the inspirations
| of conflict, or the glories of triumph,
in comparison with peace, love and
home? With an indefinable sense Of
| great yearning she thought that Guy
was on the sea, going away from her
| and her people, and even in the heart
| of the radioplane which was canceling
space at the rate of 500 miles an hour
| the distance between them seemed in
terminable Life was made up of
good-byes! And so in reyerie of
bitterness she chung to the hood and
| fought against fatigue, until, as the
| morning was upon them, she sent the
craft to rest in front of the shops
1 where their return had been anXiously
| awaited. Overcome with WEAKNESS,
and feeling throughout every fiber of
her body the snapped tension of sud
den relaxation, she staggered through
the port into the fresh air Of the dawn.
From every direction men were run
ming madly to surround them, and
!, even the Columbia was landing men
upon the shores, who Joined in the
rush. The limping old admiral stood
in the door, when Roberts, Supported
by two surgeons, appeared. Norma
clasped him in her arms and burst into
noiseless, nervous sobs, which he mis-.
interpreted
Failed! You failed my daughter?"
he asked forlornly, while, the men
waiting for news crowded forward to
hear the answer. 1t was given by
Bevins.
Failed nothing! We cleaned them
out and landed them where we started
to without the loss OF life!"
Those still aboard the Columbia
needed no messenger to bring the
news. The workers of the plant burst
into a frenzy of exuitation. The ad.
miral stilled them with an appraised
hand.
(To BE CoNTINuED)
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| Reason for Thanks