The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1917-08-25
FOURTEENTH EPISODE
Border Peril.
DAYBR FAX.

In the library of the Claiming
,.cenda lights burned late into the
,,,ht Round a great oaken table in
no middle of the room some ten per-
ans sat in conference. The surface
n the table was strewn with maps and
mpers-the former large-scale and
mluutely detailed typographical maps
n the Claiming properties and the adj
tcent country, both north and south
Of the border.
council of war was in progress.
Something after midnight it drew to-
vsrd its conclusion. A hush Of
fboughtful silence settled down upon
the gathering. Patria and Donald Parr
and their aides-those commanding
the several divisions of Patria's little
forre of atchmen''-mentally re-
viewing what had been said, recon-
ming point by point such instructions
as had been issued and the course OF
action which had been agreed upon
II was vitality important that moth
ing should be neglected, forgotten, OF
overlooked.
This business to which they were
committed was so desperate, theii
hopes for its success so meager anc
foriorn, that the little company OF pa
triotic Adventures dared neglect NJ
least item of precaution.
According to reliable information
great army was marching to invade
the soil of the United States-an arm.
made up of the allied forces of Mex
co and Japan which had for so Ion
been encamped in the businesses o
the hills Immediately south OF Tn
border, awaiting Tokio's word to ad
vance.
Today, apparently, that word ha
been spoken; it was known that IN
allied troops had broken camp an
were In motion toward the border.
And it needed only a most supel
fetal examination of the maps on tn
table to demonstrate that the on
feasible path of invasion lay throug
the Claiming properties.
And the forces which Patria ha
gathered together to oppose this lon'
threatened invasion were so pitifull
outnumbered that their sole hope
surviving lay in the thoroughness
their preparations; only courage thi
held life a thing of little momer
guided by cool-headed intelligence
the highest order could render effe'
tive the plans these few had made
surprise, outwit, and repel the inva'
ers.
The shrilling of the telephone be
interrupted the silence. Parr took
the instrument, spoke briefly into
and handed it to Patria.
"A telegram for you" he said.
The girl listened attentively to viii
was communicated to her by the tel
graph operator at the nearest railroa
station. some twenty miles away, the
thanked him and coolly hung up.
washington" she said, "acknow
edging my wire warning them Of tn
invasion. There will be an investig
ton ordered Immediately, and if n
Information proves well-foundt
troops will be sent"
Nothing could be fairer than that
Par commented grimly.
think" said Patria to the cor
pany Eve have said all that could
said tonight. We all know our dutie
The instructions you have received a
not subject TO change except in eme
gency-and then you must rely up'
your wits to save yourselves-and Il
rest Of us. Now let us adjourn, al
II we can, get little sleep"
There was a general movement
chairs being pushed back from {
table. The men rose, and waited
little groups while one after anoth
went to say goodnight to Patria. s
shook the hand of each. and Dona
did likewise. There were few wor
spoken-but the handclasps were fl
and significant.
These were possibly their last IA
Weiis This unuttered thought
formed every mind. Dawn would Fl
: each at his post. Where sunset shot
nnu them, none dared guess.
one oy one they went their wa
INTO the night. At length Patria W
alone with Donald Parr. He turn