Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1914-01-22


worse, are the conservative rulers of
all western countries. Now, monsieur,
you ask to be initiated into the coun-
cils of the League. There is no League,
or, rather, there are many leagues.
Rosny here knows only the French
branch; | am affiliated with that of
Eastern Europe. There is but one man
who has his hand on all the plums in
the pie, and that is the kaiser. And
where he stands nobody Knows. Are
you satisfied. Monsieur Lane?'
If Paul did understand he cared
nothing for it all. The blood was boil
ing in his temples. He caught the
princess in his arms and drew her into
his embrace.
princess, I pledged my allegiance
to you," he said, triumphantly. Il
will obey no league but yours. love
you. Answer me, as you love truth
do you love me, or was your pledge
upon the sands of Tripol but JEST"
She did not resist him. She dropped
her head with its wealth Of heavy
hair, upon his shoulder. lie bent over
her and their lips met.
Il love you only, Paul" she whis-
pered. do not think me untrue. But
Just now | dare not think of love,
there is so much to be done. Paul,
will you trust me a little longer, and
waltz"
"A thousand years." he cried exul-
tantly-and just then Rosny came in.
Paul discerned meaning glance
which the Frenchman shot at Clo
thilde 1t puzzled him: but still his
mind was dormant under the force of
the mighty passion in his heart.
Paul" said the princess calmly,
will you undertake another mission
for the League?"
For your League" answered Paul
Eyes. and it will be the strongest
test of your Devotion" she answered
with intense seriousness. 1--WE mean
to strike a blow at the heart of dem
ocracy-can you guess where? In
your own country.
Listen, Paul. America is ripe for
monarchy. That great people, groan-
ing under the corruption of her gov
ernment, has come to understand that
a king is necessary to a nation, if 1t
is to prosper and be honOred. But the
democracy controls the state. 1t must
be broken. Only after defeat in war
can America be liberated and come
into her own.
Listen again, Paul. His majesty,
the emperor of Japan, is planning to
strike home at the republic. That is
well known TO your president and pub
lie men. 1t is admitted that hun
dred and fifty thousand japanese
could seize California, Washington,
Oregon, all the Pacific coast states,
and hold them forever; no force OF
equal strength could ever be trans
ported, without bases Of supplies, over
the deserts of the west. Japan is now
threatening Magda!ena bay in Lower
California. That is feint. She aims
really at Alaska. But first the Ameri-
can navy must be DESTROYED, and that
is the only obstacle which lies be-
tween Japans aspirations and their
accomplishment. Do you follow me,
Paul?"
He nodded, for he could not speak.
He saw her through a red cloud, and
a thousand tumultuous passions ham,
mered upon his heart. She stood quite
close to him, her breath was warm
against his cheek; she was almost
shamelessly oblivious of the presence
of Rosny, who watched cyniCally from
the opposite corner Of the Office.
Then, Paul, Xou are to be the
means whereby this blow shall be
delivered. You are an expert yachts
man. You have summered, you told
me once, off the Alaskan coast in your
own yacht, in those days when your
you looked forward to life of leisure
and plenty
Next month the American fleet en-
cages in target practice off the Alas
kan coast. We have secured the infor-
nation of the exact locality. The fleet
will put in at the roadstead between
the newly formed volcanic islands
called the Pyloffs, thrown up last
year, and as yet hardly charted. The
pilot, one of their most trusted men,
whose duty it is to lead the flagship
through the narrow pass, is in our
pay. 1t is your money that has paid
him, Paul; you are deeply implicated
in the affair already, you see. You
shall take his place, lead the flag
ship to ruin upon the rocks-we have
a chart of them-and all the following
vessels will be swept to destruction
likewise. Thus Japan will obtain her
opportunity. And in the confusion you
will easily escape. There will be lit
tie loss of life. Then, your reward,
the reward for which you have
asked"
She could say no more. The agita-
tion which possessed her was greater
than Paul's. 1t was her most despe-
rate cast for victory. And Paul, star
ing at her eyes, the only thing now
visible through the thick, blood-like
haze that fioated before his face, un-
derstood that she was offering herself
as the price for his treachery.s
He clencheG his fists until the nails
of his fingers pierced the flesh. All
that he valued most, all that made life
tolerable, his love, was balanced
against his duty; and the scales
swung low. They hesitated, trembled
and suddenly the mist cleared away.