The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1909-09-17
CHAPTER XXI.
Lights in the Nioht.

That night for the first time a radio
plane flew through the air from Wash
lngton 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 it did not court discovery
neither did it use any great endea yor
to avoid 1t. Those aboard had only
one wish, which was to avoid the gath,
! erlng 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 g0od-by to the
man in the White House, who was
henceF0lth to hold 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
ont Of the craft and took seats in A
motor ear which had been awaiting
their arrival. Only the secretary Of
state and BeYinS accompanied them
as escorts TO the glazing entrance Of
the hotel, and even the august clerks
were unaware Of the identity of their
visitors. With polite insUlence 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
lsh 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 eXtemp0rized naval club
were simply awaiting and hoping for
orders which would put an end to in
activity.
Beneath the shaded lights OF the
ceiling We're 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 informalty, and burst |
Of laughter in one corner of the room
indicated the success of some racon- |
eur. The door swung open noiseess,
y, and on its threshold stood one who
OOked smilingly at the idle veterans
If two nations. He stood thus for an
instant before the crusty old Scotch
ADMIRAL known to his fellows as Jim
ny Barr lifted his eyes in the direc-
ion OF the door. His mouth opened
II establishment beneath its boarding
If red, and his sharp eyes frowned as
le peered across the shoulder of the
nan opposite, and then, with one hur-
led leap he gained his feet upset
ing his chair in his haste. His heels
anne together, and his arm was raised
n salute as he exclaimed loudly:
Gentlemen, the king"
Instantly those in the room looked
t the admiral and then at the en-.
rance. There was the muff1ed sound
+ chairs hastily showed across the
arpeted floor. startled ordinations,
nd hurried rising. Two score of
ands came to the salute, and a dra.
latic moment followed in which their
wners strove to gather their wits.
t was almost unbelievable that their
overeign was before them.
The king looked at them grayely,
nd then took few steps forward,
nd his companions followed. He
topped almost In front of Barr and
|owly raised his hand with open
myers in gesture which combined
reeting and a demand for attention.
e wasted neither time nor words
MY men" he said, 81 have come
ON a conference with his excelen
Y, the president of the United States
s results will be made known to
1u within the course of a few days
the most, or hours at the least.
ave come to say to you that in sub.
lifting yourselves to an invincible
ower for reasons which you could
1t fathom you acted wisely and now
ave our full approval
(TO BE CONTINUED.)