The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1913-07-09
The Fifteenth of July.


continental holiday.
From near and far came congratu.
lations. They had not planned a gor.
geous ceremony. but they could not
stop the expressions Of love that came
from the loyal citizens. The whole
capital was alive with color, and the
messages that came and the sincere
joy Of all, made the day one to be
remembered for years to come.
Astra had missed ROSETTA very much
She had been unable to attend the
Island of Ciryne for the last few
weeks.
When Napoleon heard that the
countess was unable to attend their
wedding on account Of her indisposi-
ton. he thoughtfully shook his head.
1t seemed incredible that Rositta, who
was so full of vitality and energy,
should be i'll. He only said: every
illness has a remedy"
He did not give the matter further
thought. He spent the last day before
his marriage in his aerodromone, the
American Eagle. Where he was, or
| what he did, no one seemed to know,
and he did not volunteer the informa-
| ton.
After their wedding luncheon Astra
returned to her presidential Office. as
there were things that she wanted to
| attend to personally. Especially the
criminal case of Nikolay MoZrak. The
| Criminal Court of the continent had
| decreed capital punishment for at
| tempted assassination of the President
of the United Republics of America.
Astra read the document carefully,
and instead of signing it, she wrote:
''Pardoned, and shall be instantly re-
| leased"
(Signed)
"ASTRA PRUDENT EDISON"
She dispatched the pardon by a spe-
cial messenger, and then took up other
matters.
At seven o'clock she was at the Crys-
tai Palace, to dress for the banquet Of
| the Continental Commercial and In
! dustrial Association, one Of the most
powerful societies organized to pro.
mote the welfare of business people.
She and Napoleon drove to the new
Capital Hotel in an open car. The
banquet was arranged for 1000 guests
and the whole upper floor was thrown
open for the purpose.
| At eleven o'clock the presidential
party left and threaded its way toward
| the Crystal Palace. At the Palace
Judge Seaman of the Continental
| Court awaited them. His mission was
/ to deliver heavy looking letter to the
President.
"Your excellency will pardon me fol
taking this liberty, but Mr.. Mozrak
the prisoner you so kindly pardoned
/ insisted that this letter is important
and would not leave the prison until
personally"
Il Astra took the letter and thanked
him for it's safe delivery, then dis
missed him with a few kind words
Napoleon escorted his mother to hel
rooms, then returned to the library
where Astra awaited him. Her can
| did, beautiful face was pale and tears
glistened in her eyes. Her whole be
ing expressed sorrow.
l
band, alphabetically.
Instead of replying, she handed hin
letter. He recognized the fine hand
writing Of the Countess Rosiny. L
read:
my dear Friends and Protectors:
Il am writing this to you both, as
know you viii be married when yot
receive it. I know you will receive al
kinds Of presents, surprises and con
gratulations, as you are both the be
loved of your followers. But in order
to give more value to the kind wishes
I have decided to tell you the truth
the unvarnished, cruel truth.
81 wonder il it will surprise you II
find that am, and have been in the
service of Count Won Werdenstein
You have been the kindest of hosts
indeed, so good that you made my tasl
really despicable but much easier.
Don't take this very seriously. Life
is made up of an equal portion o
bad and good, and the end is always
the same. Death gathers us all IN
and puts in our places others who ma!
find pleasure in destroying all that We
have created. You both dream o
world peace wish I could create
peace in my own heart!
II admire you both, especially Ma
poleon, and for that reason, hate yol
both, being unable to love you, a
there are no middle streams in my IA
ture.
There is no use Of my telling yol
what intend to do; you will know
soon enough, and you both will b,
sorry that you ever met the unhapp.
person whose name was, once, Rositti
Rosiny.
"And now, wish you all happiness
until we meet again.
ROSETTA,
Princess of Schomburg Lithow."
Napoleon quietly folded the lette
and handed it back to Astra. He di'
not seem disturbed at all He picket
up the envelope and saw the New
York postmark.
1T is clear. The countess has thu
secret OF cirynith and, very likely, o
J, the aerodromone."
But how did she get it,"