The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1913-12-12
right wing 81 the lins: than NJ sham

~ - ~ 80 - sesS 49, -
battle began
The princess could not resist the In
pulse to show her prowess. Santos
flung their aerodromone into the light;
they lodged and turned, each trying
to gain Ii elevation. Finally. With !
quick spring the Princess" evadel
It's enemy and slid between its wings
from the back and the next moment
the enemy was q captive.
It was an exhilarating sport
Il congratulate you. princess" said
the count to the intoxicated Rositta.
The Princess" carried the captive
machine back to Suemeg with ease.
The other machines returned. one
after the other. all enthusiastic and
discussing the tactics Of air warfare.
After the inspection dinner was
served, In which the whole squadron
took part. Werdenstein greeted sev-
eral of them as old acquaintances and
friends OF those good days when tho
armies held their own and when he
was planning to, conquer the American
continent. The times had changed.
Now the air men ruled at the com
mand Of a beautiful, bold woman,
whose only motive seemed to be
vanity
These gloomy forebodings were war.
ranted sooner than he expected. Only
appetizers and soup had been served.
when Count de Korona stood up and
addressed the gathering:
THE pleasure of greeting the world
famous chancellor, the iron-handed
man of the German Empire, has been
given me. It is great honor for N
to have you at our feast, and we, the
conquerors of the air, greet you. who
are considered the representative OF
all the European powers"
Rositta smiled sweetly at the chan
cellor, who was watching the speaker
in amazement. After a short pause,
de Korona continued:
I'VE greet you as such. as a repre-
sentative, and ], in my comrades'
names, ask your excellency to be with
us In heart and drink to the elected
queen of the air, who is distined to
be queen of the world. Long live our
beloved Queen ROSETTA"
The huzzas that. Numbered through
the hall told the chancellor plainly
that this was no pleasantly. His sus-
picions had not been without founda-
ton. He paled and when the. tumult
died away he stood up, calm and de-
termined and without a word left the
hall.
This action made ROSETTA furious,
but she did not show her indigna-
ton. The chancellor seems to have
lost his appetite" was all she said.
After the dinner was over, she gave
few curt orders and the aeromen
proceeded into another hall beautifully
and regally decorated. At the far end
stood a magnificent throne.
ROSETTA retired to her own apart
ment, while two men went to invite
the chancellor to the throneroom.
They found him soberly pacing the
distance between the entrance gate
and the first hangar.
He followed them. Rositta sat on
the throne with a glittering cirynith
crown on her head. She was more
beautiful than ever.
The Count Won Werdenstein was led
before her. He showed no surprise.
His face was calm and his whole atti-
tude expressed disinterest.
II have requested that your excel
lency come to Suemeg, for l have a
message that want brought before
the whole world"
The count looked at her steadily,
and without waiting to hear her fur
Their words he said in his strong, PEN
etrating voice:
i tell you, woman, to stand before
me. Tell me your petition standing.
Then I may listen to it. Do not for
get that I represent the Emperor Of
Germany"
Had these words not been spoken in
such deadly earnestness some Of the
audience would have found the scene
ridiculous. As 1t was, it was grave
and embarrassing and every one stood
stunned. &
The blood left Rositta's cheeks and
1t took almost q minute for her to
recover her composure. Then she
rose and pointing at the chancellor,
said in shrill voice:
Take him away-back to Berlin
quick or shall forget myself and kill
him!"
tro BE coNT1NUED.)