Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1913-07-04

hearts with its 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. FASTENED to the helioboard; he
was followed by q 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, rs he had been cut
on from any form OF communication
on the Tube Line for fourteen hours.
The sparks at that moment were print
ing some embarrassing commercial
news. but soon the following notice ap-
peared:
"The cremation Of the ex-President,
Hannibal Prudent viii be held at 400
p. N. Thursday"
@Too latel" whispered the stranger
sadly. removing his 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
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 az the ter
race OF the American Hotel
The same morning Astra received
several committees Offering their sym
pathies and condolences. When the
last one had gone she sank exhausted
on a couch. She had rested but q
moment when q servant brought in a
card. She sighed YEARLY 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 affection,
which the newcomer quickly noticed.
II have come. my poor. suffering
girl. as a friend of your father. Dur
ing these days of sorrow your wom-
ans heart needs the aid of q 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. II is good
to know that there are friends upon
whom l can count during these sad
days. My beloved father, however,
made such farreaching arrangements
that | hardly think there Is any need
Of your assistance. But I thank you
with all my heart"
With these words che offered her
hand to Hale. who retained 1t In his
grasp greedily.
I aiso want 70 tell you something
confidential. my dear Astra: The Con,
tinental Club feels that this coming
election will bring the hong expected
event-that is, the nomination OF the
first woman President. And the eye
OF the Continental Club rests on youi"
Astra smiled ~serenely.
Should the country select me for
Its executive, I shall be glad to serve,
and I will do my best 10 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 cleaning 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 q nan These thoughts fitted
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 cam
not hnd?"
Il will do my best. my dear Astra,"
said Hale. as Astra hesftated.
10 you KNOW q OWns a QlSCrtCts
village or any other place by the
name Of 'Cirynith?'"
Mr.. Hale thought for a moment, then
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 mar curiously: the man. not
w~ithstanding his modish style Of dress,
looked q stranger.
In the hall. he handed his card to
the waiting servant without a word.
The servant looked at it and saw but
n name: