The Huttig news., 1913-05-31

hearts with it's melody, that elevated the souls with thoughts of Heaven that drove away evil thoughts with it's exquisite harmony and foretold the happiness awaiting beyond. Resonant horns spread the melody farther and farther, until it soothed the mourning people in neighboring towns.
 The fourteen-hour San Francisco limited had just slid into the central depot of the Tube Lines: the broad glass doors were flung open and the passengers hurried out.
 One of them. noticeable for his tall upright figure, clear eyes and bronzed face, hastened to the helioboard: he was followed by short man, whose rotundity more than made up for his lack of height. The tall man with the bronzed face eagerly watched the sparkling news, as he had been cut off from any form of com ' lnication 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:
 
 Hannibal Prudent, will be held at 400 D. m. Thursday"
 'Too latei" whispered the stranger sadly, removing his hat. Friend San tos, we are toe 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 store''
 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 1 pathies and condolences. When the last one had gone she sank exhausted on couch She had rested but moment when a servant brought in card. She sighed wearily and made a motion of dissatisfaction when she read the name "Ambrosio Hale.'
 The man was admitted. As ke en- 1 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 affiieton, which the newcomer quickly noticed.
 'I have come, my poor. suffering girl. as friend of your father. Dur ing these days of sorrow your wom- ans heart needs the aid of a strong man. Your father honored me with his intimate friendship. and want to i offer you my services"
 Thank you very much. MT. Hale. Your kindness touches me. IL is good to know that there are friends upon whom I can count during these sad days My beloved father. however. i1ade such far-reaching arrangements that I hardly think there is any need of your assistance. But thank you . with all my heart
 With these words she offered her ], hand to Hale. who retained 1t in his grasp greedily.
 "I also want to tell you sometime confidential. my dear Astra; The Con tinental Club feels that this conin; election will bring the long expected
 
 first woman President. And the eve of the Continental Club rests on you!"
 Astra smiled serenely.
 Should the country select me for it's 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 fitted through the brain of the girl. then an aftcrthought came and she asked:
 MT Hale, can you give me any in- formation in regard to place l can. not find?"
 'I will do my best my dear Astra." said Hale, as Astra he e~itated
 Do you know town. district, village or any other place by the name of 'Cirynith? ?'"
 MT tfdle thought TOT a moment, IneD admitted that he had never heard of the place.
 Astra felt some satisfaction.
 As Hale left the crystal palace, he met the tall, bronzed man who had arrived on the fourteen hour limited from San Francisco that morning. on the broad stairway that led up to the main entrance. He eyed the sunburnt athletic man euriously: the man, not withstanding his modish style of dress, looked stranger.
 In the hall, he handed his card to the waiting servant without word. The servant looked at it and saw but one name
 Napoleon Edieon"
 As the stranger had no appointment, Astra told the servant to advise him that she could not receive anyone un- til Thursday evening. after the crema- tion of her fathers earthly remains
 ,i- t,,s-