The Parma herald. (Parma, Idaho) 1903-1917, 1913-09-25

eIhAnk ron, ptri" humbly-
Il presume you have come 70 renew
your oi1er."
THE time Of Offering n gone, your
excellency." NApo1son's voice was
cold and cutting. The count was sur
prissd.
Il have come to your excellenoy to
deliver the message from the United
American Republics"
"Yesf l am listening"
"The navy Of the European confed-
eracy entered American waters with
apparent warlike intention and de-
stroyed the first isolation line. The
United Republics took note OF this un-
lawful action and hence give you
warning that unless the navy under
your personal command IL removed
from tEese waters Immediately. the
United Rslubiics OF America will cut
you OF from your resources and make
prisoners OF all the vessels that linger
In the zone whore they are at present.
Twelve hours are given for re-
treatl"
Tho Count Won Werdenstein lost his
temper on hearing these words and
took them for personal Insult
Can see the papers that mako you
the bearer Of such an impudent mes
sage7"
Napoleon moved the wheel trife
and the bird slid toward the count,
who took the sealed package from his
hand. He broke it open and read:
"Ths bearer, Mr.. Napoleon Edison
Is the all-powerful representative of
the President OF the U. r. of A.
(Eigned) ASTRA PRUDENT,
(SeaD President.
The count smiled and said while fold
ing the paper: Tell to those who sent
you that /, Count Won Werdenstein.
commander In chief OF the nayies and
armies Of the European confederacy.
will break down all the resistance that
may be before me, and will land and
occupy the countries that you call the
United Republics of America. The
warning chat you give me will not be
considered, neither will your actions
be feared. am headed for the Amer
lean continent and will land" =
This is your final answer, your ex-
cellency7"
1T u.s."
Please listen to me for moment,
not as courier and representative,
but as man to man.
Not so very long ago I was your
prisoner, and when / told you that /
would escape, you only laughed. l
escaped, and am standing here before
you as proof that can do what
say. Count Won Werdenstein, how will
you answer for the mass murder that
you win be responsible for? We have
tried to avoid conflict"
you speak as If mighty army and
navy were at your elbow! What can
you, q single man, do against the force
back of me?'
Then you will not believe me, will
not heed the warning / give you?
Count, look into your own heart! l.
q single man, have the power to send
you. with all your force, to the bot
tom of the sea. /, alone, plead with
you to return to your own land and
let your armies and navies disband,
for II you don't. many will never see
their loved ones again" The count
was impressed by Napoleon's sad
voice, but there were many things to
be considered, and. above all else. his
own pride. A thousand deaths would
be easier to account for than the fact
that he. Count Won Werdenstein, at
the command of single man In an
odd airship turned homeward and
abandoned the invasion of America.
When he spoke. there was bitterness
in his voice:
"Mr. Edison, something tells me
that you can do as you say. l know
that, yet will forget 1t until arrive
on American shores: will not hesi-
tate for second, will go forward
to win or die. If there Is only ose,
chance In million, l will try it. No,
shame shall besmirch the name of
Werdenstein."
Il am sorry, Count Won Werdenstefn.
but we must defend our country and
liberty. will now remove the a, of
truce and return to America and tom
this second on you can considtf me
an enemy"
He closed the window, touched a
lever and with one mighty beat of the
flexible wings the machine assembled
at least hundred feet.
Tho count looked after Napoleon.
His face was pale as he hurriedly de-
scended to the bridge.