--------------ine
Isolated
Continent
A Romance of tbe
Future
By
Guido von Horvath
and Dean Hoard
ODrjnfLu l£ll, bv W G. Chapman In U m CiUunl
bUM and Greet Brt&ala.
a
SYNOPSIS.
For fifty years the continent of North
America had been Isolated from the rest
•f the world by the use of Z rays, a won
derful invention of Hannibal Prudent.
The invention had saved tha country
from foreign invasion, and the continent
had been united under one government
with Prudent as president For half a
century peace and prosperity reigned in
this part of the w -»rid. The story °Pf_T's
wtth President Prudent critically ill. His
death ts hastened by the receipt of a
message from Count von Werdenstetn of
Germany that he has at last succeeded In
Knetrating the ray». Dying, he warns
i daughter Astra that this means a for
eign invasion. He tells her to hurry to
the Island of Clrynith. but dies before he
ea-n tell the location of tha place.
CHAPTER II.—Continued.
One of them, noticeable for hia tall,
upright figure, clear eyes and bronzed
face, hastened to the helioboard; he
was followed by a short man, whose
rotundity more than made up for his
lack of height The taf! man with the
bronzed face eagerly watched the
•parkling news, as he had been cut
off from any form of communication
on the Tube Line for fourteen hours.
The sparks at that moment were print
ing some uninteresting commercial
news, but soon the following notice ap
peared:
"The cremation of the ex President.
Hannibal Prudent, will be held at 4:00
p. m. Thursday."
“Too late!" whispered the stranger
sadly, removing hie hat. "Friend San
tos, we are too late. How happy, how
contented he would have been had he
received the news I wanted to give
him personally before he left” He
took the arm of his friend. "Come,
Santos, we have some hard work in
■tore.”
They took the elevator to the aero
station of the depot, where they board
ed the south-bound aero bus. A few
minutes later they landed at the ter
race of the American Hotel.
The same morning Astra received
several committees offering their sym
pathies and condolence«. When the
last one had gone she sank exhausted
on a couch. She had rested but a
■moment when a servant brought In a
card. She sighed wearily and made
a motion of dissatisfaction when she
read the name "Ambrosio Hale.”
The man was admitted. As he en
tered he bowed deeply before the
weary girl who stood there In her
black gown, looking like an angel of
sorrow. The exquisite face had taken
on a new beauty through her affliction,
which the newcomer quickly noticed.
"I have come, my poor, suffering
girl, as a friend of your father. Dur
ing these days of sorrow your wom
an's heart needs the aid of a strong
man. Your father honored me with
his Intimate friendship, and I want to
offer you my services."
•"Thank you very much, Mr. Hale.
Your kindness touches me. It Is good
to know that there are friends upon
whom I can count during these sad
days.
My beloved father, however,
made such far-reaching arrangements
that I hardly think there Is any need
of your assistance. But I thank you
with all my heart."
With these words she offered her
hand to Hale, who retained it In his
grasp greedily.
"I also want to tell you something
confidential, my dear Astra: The Con
tinental Club feels that this coming
election will bring the long expected
event—that is, the nomination of the
first woman President. And the eye
of the Continental Club rests on you!”
Astra smiled serenely.
"8hould the country select me for
its executive, I shall be glad to serve,
and I will do my best to carry out the
plans formed by my father for the fur
therance of the United Republics.
She looked at the man whose ferret
like eyes could not leave her face,
whose thick lips were parted, showing
a row of gleaming teeth. In spite of
his handsome appearance Astra had
long ago discovered some bestial trait
In him, and had often wondered how
her father could extend his friendship
to such a man. These thoughts flitted
through the brain of the girl, then an
afterthought came and she asked:
"Mr. Hale, can you give me any in
formation in regard to a place I can-
not find?”
"I will do my best, my dear Astra,"
■aid Hale, as Astra hesitated.
"Do you know a town, a district.
Tillage or any other place by the
name of 'Cirynlth?' ”
Mr. Hale thought for a moment, then
admitted that he bad never heard of
tbe place.
Astra felt some satisfaction
As Hale left the crystal palace, he
wet the tall, bronzed man who had
arrived on the fourteen-hour limited
from San Francisco that morning, on
the broad atalrway that led up to the
main entrance. He eyed the sunburnt
athletic man curiously; the man, not
withstanding his modish style of dress,
looked a stranger.
In the hall, he handed his card to
the waiting servant without a word
The servant looked at it and saw but
one nauis:
"Napoleon Kdtaon."
As the stranger had no appointment,
Astra told the servant to advise him
that she could not receive auyone un
til Thursday evening, after ths crema
tion of her father's earthly remains.
Edison shook his head somewhat im
patiently
"If you say it Is her wish not to see
me until Thursday evening, I must
wait notwithstanding the Importance
of my mission."
He turned, left as hurriedly as he
came. His whole being seemed sur
charged with energy.
Napoleon Edison met his short
friend Santos on the roof garden be
fore the hourly stylograph. The round,
ruddy cheeked man was watching the
helioboard with Interest He enjoyed
the great city immensely, and at that
moment he was laughing heartily at
the comic section shown on the board.
The newspaper was reproducing some
funny pictures made by a Chicago art
ist tn the early days of the twentieth
century. “I have never seen such
! amusing brain products in my life," he
I said.
Edison smiled at the amusement of
'
the man he called Santos. Taking his
arm, he led him to the elevator. This
time they went to the subway tube
and, after making some inquiries of
the guard, Edison bought two tickets
• for New York. It took two hours for
them to make the Journey between
Washington and New York.
After they left the train, the two
elbowed their way through excited and
mourning crowds. Santos could hardly
keep pace wtth the long stride« of
Edison. They turned into Forty-sec
ond street from the avenue and hur
ried Into the Hippodrome, an Immense,
but very old structure, a relic of the
nineteenth century.
The continental party had gathered
in this building and a somewhat stout
woman was speaking when the two
strangers entered. The audience list
ened to the woman with Intense atten
tion; her pleasant, strong contralto
voice filled the great ball and she
brought out Important potnts in her
address with decisive strokes.
Edison and Santos stopped and list
ened.
"To whom do we owe all these bless
ings? To whom must we give thanks
for the thousands of other things that
add comfort to home life, travel and
national existence? To whom but the
man whose soul has left the clay and
entered the land of peace: Hannibal
Prudent, ex-President of the United
Republics of America.
“I know that many of the eectlon-
lsts and internationalists say we are
isolated from the countries that gave
us our ancestors; I know that the sec
tion Is ts think the isolation was an out
rage against our further development
in art, literature and science. They
think those thing«, but we continental-
lsts know differently.
"It is true no Italian singers can be
Imported to please the ears of the
wealthy; it is true that we cannot add
ancient pictures to our collections of
masterpieces; It is true that the
yachts of our rich cannot make a tour
of the Mediterranean; but compare
our losses with our gains!
"Since the isolation we have creat
ed our American art! Does not that
alone pay for our Isolation?
"Our singers sing the airs of our
country; our artists paint pure, be
loved objects and scenes known to all
of us.
"Look at our magnificent, lofty ar
chitecture, our terraces and roof gar
dens at our reversible street covers,
at the swinging gardens, tube and
aerial roads. These are our own—
Astra Had Long Ago Discovered
8ome Beatisi Trait in Him.
these are not influenced by foreign
education.
We created them our
selves."
She stopped for a moment, stretched
out her shapely arm and continued:
"Before the isolation of our conti
nent, we were a mixture of all the na
tions of the world; today we are a na
tion complete In ourselves. There are
no English, Irish, Dutch, German, Ital
ians or Spaniards left These nation
alities have merged and produced the
citizen of America.”
Her voice sank lower and vibrated
with emotion.
"A new item has sparkled through
the country, a bit of news even more
heart-breaking than the news of the
departure of the greatest man our
country has produced.
I mean the
news that our stronghold Is near its
breakdown, that European scientists
have discovered the way to invade oar
I Isolation. T pray that the news Is un
true, but should It be true, then wo
will have to prepare for defense.
"Compatriots, true cltlscna!
Who
can fill the executive chair more satis
factorily than the one who. throughout
her whole life, has been prepared for
it? I call to you and ask you to give
your best Judgment for the cause and
with one heart aud one thought nomi
nate for the continentalist candidate
the daughter of Prudeut, Astra Bru
dent—"
Here she was Interrupted by a hoary
voice thundering:
. "No female rule for me."
That was all he could say, as his
voice flattened out behind a healthy
slap delivered resoundingly on the dis
turber's mouth. The hand and arm
that administered this rebuke belonged
to Napoleon Edison. With a strong
Jerk he turned the surprised man
toward the door and he was carried
on and on as if he were a wreck bo
Ing tossed by stormy waves. When
order was restored, the speaker con
tinued :
"With all my heart I trust Miss Pru
dent will be the nomine« of the con
tlnentalista. Those who agree with
me. kindly stand up!"
As one body the audience rose and
SO,000 voices thundered "HurrahI for
the continental nominee!”
Then the oratrix sat down.
Astra, In her own room In the crys
tal palace, saw and heard through the
electro-stylograph the whole proceed
ings of the New York continental
party In the Hippodrome. She had
raised her hand to disconnect her ma
chine when a man from the audience
asked for the right to speak.
According to the rules of the party,
all who desired had the right to make
an address, so this request was readily
granted. Since no one asked for this
man's name. It was not disclosed. He
walked calmly forward, closely fol
lowed by a short, fat man who
■topped only when his tall friend
mounted the platform This tall man
was dressed in a gray traveling suit.
Instead of mourning, but on his arm
was a broad black band.
All the attention of the great audi
ence was centered on the athletic flg
ure and the sunburnt, frank face of
the young man. Astra's Instrument
showed these details to her as plainly
as if she were sitting tn one of the
boxes, and she was thrilled as his
eyes seemed to look straight Into her«.
"Ladies and Gentlemen," he began
"I have a message to deliver to the
political party in which I believe; do
not ask me how I happen to be the
Instrument that was selected to con
vey this message to you. but I beg
of you to seriously consider my words.
"You have all heard or read about
tbe warning that came to our dear
dead, the ex-Preeldent, Hannibal Pru
dent."
There was silent emotion in his
voice when he mentioned that name.
"That warning Is only too true. Our
enemies, defeated fifty years ago. have
found a way to break through our Iso
lation; they have spent these fifty
years planning revenge!
We can.
through Hannibal Prudent's efforts,
put off their Invasion for one year
which will give us a little time to pre
pare for defense. Continentallsts. my
brothers in conviction, spread strength
and faith through the mighty land, as
God has given us, Just as he did fifty
years ago. a man to liberate this coun
try from the oppressor's hand. God.
in his infinite goodness, has given us
another instrument to repel the storm
ing enemies."
His voice filled tbe great hall; his
words were convincing through tbe
sincerity of the orator.
As he opened his mouth to speak
again, the large helioboard began to
show many colored zig zag sparks and
the audience watched It In apprehen
sion; the whole atmosphere was
charged with an inexplicable feeling of
expectation. Not a person moved un
til the man on the platform stepped
quickly down to the operating table of
the electro-stylograph and adjusted
the instrument into the right receiving
socket.
The sparking ceased and
blurred, but discernible, a picture ap
peared.
As the audience stared the picture«
became somewhat clearer and they
saw what appeared to be tremendous
sea monsters lying immovable on the
bosom of the ocean. The huge bulks
of metal, showing unknown forms of
warfare, were pointed menacingly at
the silent audience, which was repre
sentative of the fifty years Just past;
the comparison showed clearly that
the science and genius of the Euro
peans had only produced a perfection
of death-dealing Instruments, while
the Americans had advanced in sci
ence, art, literature and a general de
velopment of tbe human race.
The great audience, which had been
so enthusiastic, now sat as motionless
as a bird that has been charmed by
a snake, intently watching the wonder
ful picture that moved and changed
incessantly; huge airships of an Im
proved type, resembling the old style
Zeppelin, glittered brightly, as they
moved with ponderous grace.
Every conceivable form of mono and
-biplane came gliding by; and each
and every form of locomotion carried
unmistakable signs of their destiny—
a machine of destruction.
As the pictures vanished a stgh
Issued from every heart and a nistle
of relaxation stirred the multitude
Many turned toward the platform, hop
ing to see the man who had last spok
en, but be was gone.
By the time the people who had
been favored by a sight of the enemies'
destructive forces, began to leave the
hippodrome, that young man was oa
his way to the capital. Ho was none
other than Napoleon Edison.
MOTOR-DRIVEN LAWN MOWER
HAS SENSE OF HUMOR HINTS ON RENOVATION
Small Machine, Operated by Means of
Gaooline Engine. Differs Little
MERRY SPINSTER NOT SENSITIVI WORTH TRYING BEFORE DISCARO
From Hand Devices.
AS TO HER AVOIRDUPOI8.
ING DAMAGED MATERIAL.
Many lawn mowers of the large type
have for some time been equipped with
gasoline engines as motive power, but Thereby Her Friends Have Been Re
Restoring Pits of Old Velvet Is an
the accompanying illustration shows a
galed With Two Really Funny
Old Process Known to Many— Es-
gasoline engine-driven lawn mower of
Stories Connected With Physi
oollent Cleaning Medium
the small type, ordinarily pushed over
cal Help She Received.
for Elik.
the lawn by the operator.
Thu actual mowing machine differs
Moat stout women are sensitive
The original pile of old velvet as
but little from the hand pushed device,
but attached to the handle Is a frame about their weight. A certain largo •very one knows inay be renewed by
work bearing a email air cooled engine, And merry spinster, to whom an ac holding It over the spout of a fast-
gasoline tank. Ignition device and the cident resulting In a permanently boiling kettle, and, after laying it
gears required for harnessing the pow weakened ankle has for some years face upwards over a moderately hot
er to the mower proper. The weight of forbidden her to tuke tho exercise that Iron, working up tho pile with a long-
the power plant Is disposed on the used to keep her comparatively slen bristled brush If spotted or stained
der, is a fortunate exception. Iler It la something helpful to dip a
weight Is well over 200 pounds, but small spare piece of the velvet In
■he neither worries nor repines, and spirits of turpentine and rub It over
otteu entertains her friends with the surface, using a fresh piece fre
iokes at her own expense. It Is very quently.
difficult for her to get on and off a
The piece of raw potato peeled
trolley car; indeed, »he cannot do so well washed and then grated and
without help
steeped In cold wster overnight, rep-
"That's all right, ma'am." a rough reeents an old fashioned cleaning
looking man. who had Jumped down medium for silk
Only the liquid
and almost lifted her uboard. recently was. however, used, which, after hav
replied to her thanks. "Me and Bill ing been strained and poured off tbs
have to carry ma upstairs every night, sediment, after an hour or two, was
and ma's heftler'n you be."
considered excellent for black or col
"Hut Bill wasn't here to help, and ored silks. Two potatoes to a pint
I'm very, very hefty," sho answered, of water should mnko the required
smiling
strength, while a sponge must be
"Oh, well, I've tackled ma alone, used Instead of a flannel. After re
sometimes," he admitted, "though I prated rubbing, sponging with several
ain't saying that half-way up the stairs changes of water will bo necessary.
jne-half ray brains wasn't Inventing Not only allk but cotton can be treat
X passenger derrick, and the other ed with potato water, while It Is ex
frame in such a manner as to be bal half wondering If she’d smother me, cellent for suitings of all kinds as
anced In respect to the center of grav falling on top.
Boosting you was well as frlexes and serges
ity of the mowing mechanism.
nothing to that, ma'am; and thero's
Spirits of turpentine will remove
Tho operator walks behind the ma •snly on« step to a car."
moat spots from allk. although care
chine, grasping the handle In tho same
Sho chuckles most delightedly, how must be taken to see that the dye Is
manner as If he really had to push It. ever, when she relates that, last sum fast. It Is a wise plan to experiment
All that is required of hliu is to keep mer, after having traveled all nlgld. tn the first Instance on n spare piece
it balanced and control the engine.
she reached, very early In tho morn of the fabric Falling thia, powdered
ing. a small country town, whence French chalk, mixed to a mustard
«he was to take tho stage for a 20- consistency wtth lavender
water,
ELIMINATION OF BIG VALUE mile drive to a friend's mountain cot-
should be rubbed Into the stain, left
'ago. Tho station was deserted, and till caked, and a hot Iron laid on a
Sufficient Attention Not Given to Cut
she was glad to accept tho help of a sheet
of
blotting
paper finally
ting Out 'rocess for Betterment
»mail boy. who. with great difficulty, passed over the top An ounce of es
of Farm Products.
got her. with all her bags and bundles, sence of lemon and half an ounce of
■nto tho empty stage, to which the oil of turpentine represent an old-
(By A. O. CHOATE. Illinois.)
fashioned remedy for stained alike.
The road to much of the compara horses had not yet been attached.
"I don't know what I should have
Cashmere Is always easily cleaned,
tive perfection In live stock, etc., leads
done." she told tho freckled little fel and the spots removed If they are not
through elimination.
By the elimination of weeds of in low. gratefully, "If I hadn't happened of too long standing A paste should
ferior specimens, in tho thinning of to find such an obliging cavalier, wait- bo made of fullers' earth and cold
poor seed and poor plants in planting 'ng to help me when most everybody water and laid over the marks If they
do not yield to simple sponging with
we do away wtth most of the chances Is still abed "
"Yes'm." he assented, with a wide. water to which a few drops of am
of failure and the production of rub
When dry
Ingenuous smile. “I was down to see monia have been added
bish.
I believe we have not given suffi em unload tho circus, and they let tho paste should be brushed off and
cient attention to this elimination me help with tho elephants and the tho garment well shaken In the open
process for the betterment of our haby hippopotamus. That's how it air
happened I could help you. ma'am.”—
To remove grease spots on cotton
stock and crops.
materials take a lump of unpulver
This year, for Instance, I have found Youth's Companion.
'lied magnesia, dip the .end Into boil
that the elimination of poor seed po
ing water and rub the stained surface
tatoes and of course selection of good
Had Followed Instructions.
briskly. Leave the paste to dry on
seeds In their places, has increased
Tho way in which a statement Is
the material, then brush off, and no
my potato crop fully 20 per cent
made frequently changes Its effect
When we carry this same principle greatly. James, the now office boy, mark will be visible.
A mixture of ono teaspoonful of
of elimination into other lines of had been directed by his predecessor
farming, and disposed of the scrub to perform certain duties dally at reg black tnk to a saltspoonful of liquid
hens that barely lay 75 eggs a year, ular times. Janies proved rather In gum will do much to brighten a black
and the cow that gives but little, oi efficient, and Dick, promoted, but still straw If rubbed well Into the Inter
poor milk, the unprofitable mongrels In the office, undertook to reprovo slices of the plait with a hog bristle
or no particular breed of stock, then, him. Among other derelictions It had brush
White straws are best cleaned wtth
and not until then, will be be on the been reported that written Instruc
road to a more satisfactory outcome tions to Inform visitors that a certain a cut lemon dipped In sulphur and
This should be
generally and soon see loss turned to member of th« firm was only visible rubbed on the hat
allowed to dry, and when It Is rubbed
profit
at certnln times, that the calls and
off the straw will have regained Its
orders of the head of the firm must
color.
Summer Feed Experiments.
always be given precedence, and that
The animal husbandry department the private secretary, a young lady,
Wedding Cake.
of the University of Illinois Is feed must be kept supplied with fresh
Any rich fruit cake, heavily Iced and
ing 75 steers experimentally In dry Irlnking water had been disobeyed.
lot
Ten breeding heifers are be
Said Dick, sternly: "Look here, decorated In white, may serve as a
ing carried through the summer In boy. what did I tell you about Mr. wedding cake. At an Informal wed
dry lot on silage and cotton-seed Blank and Mr. So and So and Miss ding the bride will cut tho wedding
cake. For a pretty little ceremony of
meal.
Dane?”
thia cake cutting tho guests should
There are also 30 head of breeding
Answered James with a surprising
make a wide circle with a white satin
heifers being carried through on pas mixture of shame and Impudence:
ribbon about tho bridal pair. To add
ture; one lot on blue grass alone,
"You told me that Mr Blank would to tbe gayety of tho occasion. It should
one lot on clover alone, and another be in tho office some time on Monday.
on blue grass supplemented
with Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, have baked tn It the silver symbols
silage. The object of the summer that I gutter humor old So-and-8o or which denote various fortunes. There
experiment is to obtain a compari lose my Job, and that I goiter water ts a ring for the next to bo married,
son between blue grass pasture alone, Miss Dane twice a day. An' 1 tell yer a wishbone for tho one who Is to have
good luck, a thimble for the spinster
clover pasture alone and blue grass
( done it all!”
and a button for the bnchelor. ».To
pasture supplemented with silage for
these should be added a silver coin for
breeding heifers.
Sometimes “Place Makes Right."
the ono who is to be wealthy.
Sir Johnston Forbes Robertson, tho
Clean Feed for Horses.
Cere of Silk Umbrella.
famous Ixmdon actor, who was knight
Don't feed dirty grain to your
When coming In with a wet umbrel
ed by the king tho othor day, has
horses. The dust, weed seeds and
been telling his experiences to tho la. stand It handlo down to dry, then
other foreign matter In the grain Is
pressmen of the capital of tho emplro. wipe off the handle and ferrule, and
disagreeable to the animals and In
Ono relates to John Davidson, tho furl the silk sections. If the silk gets
jurious.
Scottish poet, whoso death took place a spot on It, remove It with a silk rag,
Use a sieve to measure the grain
under tragic circumstances two or warm water and soap. Clean a gold
and give it a few shakes to allow tbe
three years ago. Tho knight was pro or silver handle wtth whiting, wash a
dirt and seeds to fall out before feed
ducing a play by the poet, and tho china handle In warm soap suds, rub
ing. Some pour water over the grain
latter was attending a rehearsal. up a wooden handle with a very slight
in the sieve or dip the sieve of grain
"Presently a well-known actor came ly oily rag. A good way to mend a silk
in a bucket or tub of water a few
on the acene waving his arms like a umbrella Is to wet a piece of black
times. This is a good plan, as it re
windmill,” says Sir Johnston. "David court plaster and fasten It to the silk
moves all dust and smut. Tbe feed
son edged up quietly to me and said: Just under tho tear and let It dry.
boxes are kept cleaner by treating
" T suppose that will bo a verra well-
the grain In this way before feeding.
Use Tissue Paper.
known actor?’
When pressing tucks In crepe de
" 'Yes,' I agreed.
Degrees of Lumpy Jaw.
“ 'And I presume ho will bo in re chine use a piece of tlseuo paper be
There is an unnecessary prejudice
ceipt of a verra considerable ‘honor tween the Iron and the right side, says
against lumpy-Jaw cattle, according
the New York Press. Tho tucks can
arium?’
to Dr. M. H. Reynolds of the Minne
bo seen and at tho same tlmo pro
"I confessed he was right.
sota station. Considerable percentage
" 'Then why does he wave bls arms tooted.
of these cases are passed by govern about In that extraordinary manner?*
ment inspectors as fit for food pur
Kitchen Mat
Inquired Davidson, In his broad Scotch
poses. Only the very bad cases, es accent, adding, humorously: 'If ho did
A rubber doormat or one of the
pecially those where tbe disease af
that In Piccadilly he would render cheaper coco fiber or heavy ropo mats
fects several organs or parts of ths
ts elastic to the step. For that rea
himself liable to bo arrested!”’
son It Is helpful to have one In the
body, are condemned.
kitchen to stand upon when washing.
Horrid Man.
Ironing or washing dishes.
Planting for Future.
When planting trees on the lawn It
"Pa," said little Johnny, “do all
Is well to consider the future and not 1 ••oses have thorns?”
Cowboy Salad,
plant trees too close together. Then
"Yes, my lad," patronizingly an
Peel, cut up fine one largo cucum
ber, one green onion, 1 bunch rad
there will be no need of lopping off swers father.
limbs or having shade so dense that
“I don’t seo any thorns on these ishes. three cold boiled potatoes, and
grass won't grow.
roses in ma's new hat,” continued shred one small head of cabbage. Mix
j Johnny.
■Il together, cover with good salad
Hsndlcap In Scaly Leg.
"You would If you had to pay for dressing.
Hens afflicted with scaly leg can the hat!” sadly sighs daddy.
Potato Hint
not possibly give the best service in
Before
baking
potato«« let them
egg production, and rough shanks
To Curs Bee Stings.
look bad.
A physician advises that the best stand tn hot water for 15 minutes, says
(TO BI CONTINUED.)
remedy for bee stings is to apply oil the Now York Press. They require
Avoid
Disturbance.
,
of
cinnamon with a small brush. It only half the time for baking and are
Dally Thought.
Keep
dogs
and
strangers
away
from
will slightly blister, but Immediately more mealy and palatable, besides sav
Keep well thine tongue and kea*
ing tho gaa.
the flock.
I draw out ths poison.
thy friend.- Chaucex.