The Huttig news., 1913-05-31
CHAPTER I.
Astra's inheritance.

disaster hung over the capital
 Hannibal Prudent, ex-President of the United Republics, was dangerous ly i'll. The people walked quietly and talked in subdued tones, as though they feared to disturb him.
 Hannibal Prudent, the scientist whose invention had saved the coun- try, was eighty-iour years old, but he had carried the weight of his years lightly and had worked increasingly On flying trip to Labrador he had contracted severe cold which devel- oped into pneumonia. Just as the dis ease was nearing the crisis a curious thing happened, something that had not happened in the half-century which had passed since he had put an isolator between America and the other continents.
 wireless message had come from Europe.
 The great man had been awakened by the ringing of the 4,500-mile bell on the small eiectro-stylograph that stood by his bedside To his astonishment the indicator that automatically reg istered the sending station pointed to Berlin, Germany. He stared in amaze ment at the instrument and saw spark following spark on it's small, square, milk-glass plate.
 He put forth a shaking hand and ad justed the receiving horn. The cleo tric sparks then formed pieture-a moving picture that talked! man in military uniform looked at him from the picture and clear voice with German accent said in English:
 Professor Prudent?"
 "Yes. sir. Hannibal Prudent"
 The figure bowed reverently "I am Count Von Werdenstein As you see, l have bored through your isoiating rays with my sparks of electricity. This is the beginning. The next time I talk to you there will be nothing to keep the fleet of consolidated Europe from entering the ports of the Ameri- cas. 1 am giving you this warning be cause I admire you--you were my honored fathers teacher"
 The figure on the plate bowed again, then vanished.
 Hannibal Prudent gazed euriously at the glass of the apparatus. trying to believe that he had experienced a vision; but when he saw the words of Werdenstein clearly printed by the magnificent instrument on sheet of paper by the stylus he tainted The vitality that could combat physical suffering could not bear the menacing news that the little instrument had brought.
 When he opened his eyes his daugh ter Astra stood at the bedside and the house physician was counting his pulse. The scientist still held Wer densteins message crumpled up in his old fingers-the message that con- veyed such crushing news. Inpatient ly, as one who knows his time is short he asked to be left alone with his daughter AS the door closed behind the doctor he cried out in agony: "All my hopes and all my life work are threatened. 1 had hoped that here abide-peace that has spread comfort contentment and happiness over our continent; peace that created and conserved fortunes greater than any ever before known to man; peace that permitted developments so high that even the boldest would not have dared to dream them fifty years ago.
 "All this will go." His voice failed for a moment. Read this" As the startled girl read Werdensteins mes. sages he cried bitterly: They want vengeance" He felt his own pulse, watching the large chronometer on the wall opposite his bed. My will the key. The Europeans think that the Z-ray alone flinders them from entering our beloved country. but they are mistaken. He gasped for air. q will defy them again. Astra, write what have to say"
 His breath came gaspingly; his clear eyes grew dull; whirlwind seemed to possess the great brain that had been able to create peace in America for half century.
 Astra watched him with apprehen- sion; she did not speak, as she real ized that it would be waste of time. and the short time left her adopted father was precious indeed. The old man rested d moment, then seeing Astra was ready, he said:
 When the isolation has been brok- en through or destroyed (both are pos sible, if one knows howl, then new isolations must be created, one ray after another. We can gain year that way. and that year must be used to prepare for war. War! That hor- TOT will destroy the work of a peace ful country. But We are forced to it; we will win, and peace will come for ever. Plans are ready for new craft hat will be inviEcible. Navigation of le air will solve the problem" His
 oiee had grown SO weak that Astra
 >uld hardly understand him. but she
 tak4n every word down in short md :.