The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1909-08-06
And then, when night fell and the

t And then, when night fell and th
e presidents cup seemed full, came tn
e swift and unexpected announcement
+ that the japanese had fallen upon tn
r Philippines. War was on, and the lon
, expected gauntlet lay in the lists
| while the nation heaved and rockec
in turmoil, quivered with insult, AM
cried aloud for vengeance.
. When Norma appeared at the White
House she was told of her father.
condition by the president himself
who was plainly harassed to the limi
by anxiety
You can go at once" he said; bat
what then? Are there any who CAL
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
radloplane in case of attack"
The president threw I'D 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 st 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 i'll TO % 7
myself Will fight the japanese. I nv.
self will give what expert advice is
needed, and will demonstrate 70 the
others what must be done in hattie"
lnflamed by the thought Of what was
dependent upon her, pride in her ia.
ther, and Americanism, she was ready
to accept the responsibility, even
though 1t 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 yeneration. and
kissed her.
Joan of Arc! Joan Of Arc" he
and said no more,
She had been told that a train
awaited. Together they walked to the
toor OF the presidents study through
he halls, and to the outer portal. Tn.
needing those who We're near, he
taught her hand and held if to his
'reast' looking once more into her
yes.
God bless and keep you, my child"
lie said, and abruptly turned back to
us seclusion, his head dropped for.
ward between his massive shoulders
nd his arms swinging loosely at his
ides.
Inc day was not yet done. and be. ,
ore the next had dawned came tho
announcement that the Hawaiian is.
ands had also been surrendered To
ne foe. The coterie of men within {
ne secret held their meeting and CON. :
ratuIated each other that orders had
cen obeyed, no defense made, and
'ss OF life ohviated. But the public I
lust be pacified. The swift converting
congress, its authorization of the
to act, and the appeas. ,
g notlce to the public that a we'll.
7hned policy was being pursued fol. 8
wed one after the other, but still =.
ere not understood. -
Night and day now the president 1
ID his associates toiled and MANNED
7port after report came to them, I'm.
they knew that the hour to act had
me. The spell of seeming lethargy st
as at an end, and with unprece. W
nted swiftness the Gordon was T.
rown round the nation it's ports in
'sed, and its communication shut ST.
save through channels Of the secret W
rvice, which was intensely active ia
Time was computed to the minute sy
q when the fleet of conquest sailed an
I'm Japan the very latitude and ly
lgltude of the point where it was fe
be met were communicated to the to
adquarters in Florida, where hsd tn
en- renewed energy. by
1ence it was that, as darkness once he
re mantled that isolated spot GU
ange scene was witnessed. Il was
departure of that inyincible II
ladron of the air for the scene Of
tie Night after night thew had G.
neuVered, till those who manned ~
m were masters of their craft and T.
me new form Of signals which were Ia
be used in case of emergency. Every
all was complete, every possible
caution was taken to avert acct.