Oalin

Front matter

^ '4* . •

MALIK

Class j^B-S 12- Book .F,l,%zGt2

Epilogue

Scene — On the Whatcom.

Beneath the swirling waters.

A letter from the yokel.

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

BOY-ED TAMES OALIN Frontispiece

In her eagerness to again meet her lover, tic maid to <arry the mail to Germany, and whUe wring it for transport, first learns of its treasonnature, fi Boy-Ed threatens, she attempts i caught at the door and to save her life takes oath to be true to the undertaking. BeUingham, January 5th, 1918 (Canto I).

PARTING OF OALIN VXD OBREGON Page 55

two are present at a consultation between Carranza, Ton Eehardt and the Japanese ambassador to Mexico. City of Mexico, January 13th. 1918 (Canto II).

IN THE GERMAN FOREIGN OFFICE Page 69

Von Kvehlmann closely questions Oolln. who admits that she is American. Berlin. February 3rd. l''l-> into III j.

THE WIRELESS OPERATOR Pag 8

The ••fhi" claims the murder shi t i rator

and the nun is put in charge, when boarding the vessi '■ /,' tas Bay. Writing the order i<>r destruction of the Cyclops] March . anto XIII I.

THE CYCLOPS TRAGEDY Pages 22

ft — The WaibUngen -without lights crosses the Cyc' me mine. To avoid colli-

sion both ships turn sharp to port which brings them L wer left — The Cyclops strikes the mine, and oicing to the enormous load of ore, is broken in two, sinking before the Waiblinger can ' : Upper right — The Waibtim '-nun into the

vortex caused by the greater shift's sudden plunge, and lists heavily. L wet righi — As the murder

ons shells explode.

Off St. Lucia, before linht. March 5th, 1918 (Canto XIV j.

EXPLANATION

OALIX? The mystery maid of the war times, whom reason bids us consider a spy, but whom intuition insists was at heart American. Certainly, her courage and steadfastness was of the highest Yankee type, while her beauty and address so impressed the Oriental who first told this tale, that he begged the scribe to give her the name of Osaka's ancient heroine.

Some of this modern wonder story is doubtless history, but the few hours conversation between writer and diplomat, who was so eagerly searching for trace of one who had outwitted him, and was at liberty with a treaty designed to change the currents of world affairs, left gaps which only could be filled with what might have been.

This is true of the Exordium, the last three cantos, the Epilogue and the Envoy, all of which are in time subsequent to the telling of the story by the Japanese, and is here mentioned, because the author believes that the Department of Justice, and knows that individuals on that force, were during this period making vigorous search for the maid, a true history of which may some time in a measure supplant what is here written.

But it is only fair to say that it was the opinion of the Japanese, who was her constant companion from February sixteenth to March twentieth, 1918, that the maid hoped for a reconciliation with the lover she discarded to become the fiance of the prince, who General Obregon bluntly pronounced "The meanest cur in German lands."

In closing this explanation, I earnestly thank my personal friends, Arthur J. Craven and Charles S. Beard, for their kindly interest and helpful criticism; the busy editors and officers who have extended to me every possible courtesy, among whom I must mention L. H. Hadley, congressman from the Second Washington District; Frank I. Sefrit, of Bellingham; Philip J. Sinnott, of the N. E. A. Service; Commander Walker, from the Department of Justice, and Commander W. B. Allison, of the Navy Intelligence Department; and I am certain that every reader of Oalin will join me in thanking the fair Bellingham girl, who, in the absence of the venturesome maid, illustrates the historical scenes in Bellingham, Mexico, Berlin, and on the Waiblingen — the was-to-be mother to the host of U boats, which after sinking twenty-five of our ships, as mysteriously disappeared as did the long sought Cyclops.

- Lyman Seelye.

Scene — Seattle.

A YOKEL GETS HIS

A dainty maid in gown of soft sateen,

And neat in form as ever charmed a knight;

While the silk-like gleam of her skin was seen, To chord in the light from the blue eyes bright, With manner sweetly gentle, and polite.

Mind picture, maid or man, if think you can, This one so fair, close holding custom trite.

A birthright given when the world began.

If past her teens, it was more than would seem, With her real self well masked from prying sight,

Behind a screen of beauty's dazzling sheen; And naught but flight was left the yokel wight, When learned this maid did not his love requite;

But quickly wrecked his long time cherished plan. For plenty of power there was to smite,

In birthright given, when the world began.

On the grave of her hopes, the grass grew green, When for control his love made stubborn fight.

But fate would appear to be venting spleen, For a special twist was given to spite, And the yokel soon showed in sorry plight,

When was found he had failed to place a ban On the wilful coyness of maiden sprite.

The birthright given when the world began.

The lordly man, with all his force and might, Trembled in fear when she but shook her fan;

And though brave, he did not dare contest the right That the Lord gave her when the world began.

Prologue

I

The scribe sat idly in his den, Above the street, 'twas stories ten; And gazed, as often he had done, At flowers gleaming in the sun: In bloom, though on a roof arrayed, Because of care by fairy maid.

II No word on her had ever spent

But had in friendly token sent

Some plants, which in the wood grew wild

And in return, she sweetly smiled.

Then because of canvas thrown,

So when she willed, she was alone,

And well protected from the mist,

She pursed her lips as though she kissed.

Ill

Don't think of romance 'twixt these two, For they unto themselves were true. The scribe, her grandsire might have been, And twenty claimed him so to them. But on this morn the old man's care Had been a something in the air; A subtle sense of change to come, Of fond hopes periled, lost, and won.

IV Whenever he essayed to work

A nervous throb struck like a dirk

Into his brain. Then as he quit,

There came what startled him a bit :

The eager voice of one amazed.

At the canvas the idler gazed,

And strained attention gave with ear,

So each word spoken he might hear.

" In this high place, it would not seem, That love could make a secret bower, Where to spend full many an hour, In sweet commune with wildwood flower. Of this I surely did not dream.

" How came this Eden? Tell me, dear? In ancient times we read about Such fancies, and I do not doubt Their truth, but I could almost shout

With joy, at though of this one here.

"Paradise! Naught is wanted more. Perched on a roof above the street, Where earth and sky would seem to meet, Yet its beauty was never beat.

Tell me, why came I not before? "

PROLOGUE