The Washington times., 1912-03-19

STORY
The Second Deluge eARRETER: = srRviss
cuynEn RI FkA
STORY.
GARRETTP. SERVISS
Copyright. 1911. The Frank A. Munsey Co..

story of his escape. They were seated
in Cosmos cabin. and there were pres
ent, %t..: Joseph Pho, smith Prof jeremiah
Blank, besides several other members Of
the ships company, including two of
the loyal Englishmen who had been the
hrst to strike up the national anthem
on seeing their rescued King.
Richard Edward, or Richard ", as
he was officially entitled, was one of
the best kings England ever had. He
was popular not only because of his
almost democratic manner and the SIM
plicity of his life, but more because he
was great lover of peace. We haVs
already seen how he was chosen, sole
ly on that account, to be of the num-
ber of the rulers invited to go in tho
mos invitation. but that was simply
because, like everybody about him in
whom he placed confidence, he regard
ed Cosmo Nersal as a mere mounte-
| bank, and thought that there was no
more danger OF a universal tlcod than
of the fall of the moon out of the SKI.
] Before responding to Cosmos request
! he made gracious reference to the
indifference with which he had formerly
| treated his present host.
II am sorry. MIR. Versal," he said
with dcprecatory smile, that did
| not sooner recognize the fact that your
knowledge surpassed that of my scien-
| tific advisers"
Your majesty was not alone, re-
piled Cosmo, gravely. turning with his
| finger small globe that stood on his
desk. From all these deep-sunken con-
| tinents" (waving his hand toward the
globe), "it the voices once heard there
| could now speak there would arise a
| mighty sound OF lament for that error" ="
The King looked at him with an ex-
| preston of surprise. He glanced from
| Cosmos dlminutive figure to his great
| overhanglng brow. marked with the
| lines of thought, and look of instinc-
| tive Difference came into his eyes.
| But" continued Cosmo Versal, 1T is
| bootless to speak of these things now.
| beg that your majesty will Condescend
| TO enlighten us concerning the fate
OF that great kingdom Of ancient re-
nOwn over which you so worthily
reigned."
An expression OF deepest pain passed
across the face OF Richard Edward.
For some moments he remained buried
In a modrnful silence, and many sighs
came from his breast. All looked at
him with profound commiseration. AT
last he raised his head and said, sor-
krowfuly and brokenly:
| My kingdom is drowned--my subjects
| have perished, almost to the last SOUL
my family. my gracious co1sort, my
| children-all, all gone"'
! Here he broke down and could speak
no more. Not word was spoken tHr
time in the room, for the two Eng
llshmen present wept with their unfor-
tunate king.
Cosmo Versal was no less deeply
moved than the, others. He sat for
while in complete silence. Then he
arose, and going to the king, put his
hand upon his shoulder and talked tc
him long In a low, Consoling voice. Al
last the broken spirited monarch was
able to suppress his emotions sufficient
ly to rccite, but with many Interrupt
tions while he remastered his feelings
the story of his woes and of his mar
Velous escape.
Sir Francis Brook" he said. pre-
pared a barge when the water invaded
London. and in that barge we escaped
her royal majesty, our children, and {
number OF members of the royal house
hold. The barge was the only Vesse
of levlum that existed in England. Sil
Francis had furnished and provisioneC
II well. and we did not think that i
would be necessary to 20 farther thar
TO some high point In the interior. 81
Francis was of the opinion that Wales
would afford a secure refuge.
A Continuation of This Story Wi
BE Found In TOmOrrOw's
Issue OF The Times.