The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1909-04-28

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But there should be some expert
guiding mind who knows the secret OF
the craft" t
Father had intended to accompany
them and himself direct the leading
radiopla>s in case of attack
The president threw up his hand in
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 a window,
confronted the worried head of the
nation.
"Ycu forget" she said, that l 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 unsainly strength,
took both her hands in his and looked
deeply into her eyes. You mean"
That if my father is too i'll to go,
myself will fight tie Japanese l my
self will give what expert advice is
needed. and will demonstrate to the
others what must be done in battle
lnflamed by the thought Ct what was
dependent upon her, pride in her ia
Their. AID 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 veperatiCn, ana
kissed her.
Joan of Arc! Joan of Arc." he
whispered, and said no more.
She had been told that train
awaited. Together they walked to the
door of the presidents study through
the hallsJ and to the outer portal. IN
needing those who were near, he
caught her hand and held it 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 is.
lands had also been surrendered to
the foe. The coterie of men within
the secret held their meeting and con-
graduated each other that orders had
been Obeyed, no defense made. and
loss of life obviated. But the public
must be pacified. The swift converting
of congress, its authorization of the
administration to act. and the apteas-
ing notice to the public that a well.
defined policy was being pursued, fol-
lowed one after the other, but still
were not understood.
Night and day now the president
and his associates toiled and planned.
Report after report came to them, un.
til they knew that the hour to act had
come. The spell of seeming lethargy
was at an end, and with unprece-
dented swiftness the Gordon was
thrown round the nation, its ports
closed, and its communication shut
of save through channels of the secret
service. which was intensely active.
Time was computed to the minute,
and when the fleet of conquest sailed
from Japan the very latitude and
longitude of the point where it was
to be met we're communicated to the
headquarters in Florida, where had
been renewed energy.
Hence it was that, as darkness once
more mantled that isolated spot, a
strange scene was witnessed. 1t was
the departure of that invincible
squadron of the air for the scene OF
battle. Night after night they had
Unanswered, till those who manned
them were masters Of their craft and
Of the new form Of signals which were
to be used in case of emergency Every
detail was complete, every possible
precaution was taken to avert acct
dent.
ITO BE CoNTINUED.)