The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1909-07-30

discussed the situation, and tried 10
evolve some project for its alienation.
And then without preliminary an
nOuncement the door swung open I'M
der the hand of the presidents private
secretary, and there stood framed in it
the huge form of the admiral, his hand
at salute, his eyes shining in triumph,
and back of him stood Norma, her ia.
Their and Jenkins. BrOcktOn advanced
to the presidents desk, and faced him
and the secretary of the navy.
Il have come to deliver my report
in person, and with me are those who
have given this nation the greatest
engine of war that science has ever
known"
The room was electrified but the
president sprang to his feet and threw
up restraining hand commanding 81
lence.
"Well?" he Queried, inviting further
words but Brockton's place had been
taken by the shriveled figure of a
diminutive old man, who put a trem-
bling hand out to his friend and in
voice Of affection, hushed but exultant,
exclaimed
Paul, Paul, we've made good"
The others hand came out to meet
his. and the only sound heard was the
presidents ferVent, Thank God.
Thank Cod"
The gates of repression and emotion
were down. These men had been
tried to the breaking point, and now,
when in one moment their skies had
cleared, they gave way. They Rugged
each other, repeatedly shook hands,
and in the eyes Of some there were un-
restrained tears. They crowded round
the little group from the key and
admonished each other to silence.
Gentlemen" said the inventor, I'VE
have rendered warships useless. We
need no armor! Increased speed on
the waters is of no value to us. We
have created a machine that flies, not
a thing of gas of planes, or kite. We
cannot explain here as we'll as if you
were to go with us and see it, and
what use we have made Of Jour
money"
The secretary of the navy looked
disappointed. His mind was too in
tensely practical to jump to happy con-
illusions. Can a flying machine whip
battle ship" he asked, and would
have continued; but the admiral
brought his fist down on the desk with
mighty bang.
'This one alone might do it! The
others We'll have ready before they
are called upon can whip the world. "
He stopped as if abashed by his own
enthusiasm and lack of etiquette,
looked at the president and the Sec
rotary alphabetically, and then in a
less tempestuous voice went on: "All
we ask is that you come with us-so
no one may see you, of course-and
then you'll have no cause for COM
plant"
His request was reasonable: but
they were curious. After brief discus
sion and arrangement they decided
to 60 in motor cars, which many of
those present knew how to drive, and
within half an hour the entire party
was whirling away through the side
streets of the city, out into the resi-
dence sections, through long avenues
of trees, past suburban homes, and
| finally to their destination.
The night was lighted only by the
stars, which failed to disclose that
strange monster of marvellous metal
and unprecedented power which
loomed up dimly before them in the
field. 1t stood there on the stubble,
dark and inert. massive and without
grace, like some gigantic turtle of a
prehistoric age. Sentries halted them
as they approached even as in time Of
strife, and compelled them to expose
their identity. They went aboard while
the admiral stood at the door waiting
| for the guard to come within, the
last one explaining slight delay by
saying he thought for moment that
he had heard a noise as of some one
creeping over the field, but had found
nothing.
Sorry we can't illuminate" the In.
Ventor explained; "but we shall a lit
tie later after you have seen how it
works"
Jenkins threw lever, and the heavy
doors over the port came to with a
dull metallic clang and were clasped.
Within a little hooded space for.
ward dim light exposed great banks
of levers, switches and diafs, and by
its faint rays they found seats i'm
prOvised for the occasion. Roberts
threw out a nand, and the hum of
great d,nAmos told that machinery
lad been set in motion. Back of
them, in another apartment so closely
screened that no streak of light might
expose their presence to the outside
world, they saw Jenkins and . junior
engineer watching the play of the
wheels. Norma took her place beside
her father. They felt vibrant shocks
as the great airship throbbed and