The Huttig news., 1913-06-07
CHAPTER III.
The Rina.

ne HtnQ.
 Thursday afternoon at four o'clock the clay abode oI the man whose death was mourned by the continent re- turned to ashes The mouImful pro eession started toward the cremato- rum from the chapel of the Crystal Palace. Gardens had been devastated to furnish flowers; the streets were earpeted with blooms. Immediately following the coffin rode his only rela- tive, the daughter of Hannibal Pru- dent, in an open carriage.
 Her pale face spoke of sleepless nights and many tears, but her eyes HOW were dry, her classic face calm and her carriage like that of a queen. And a queen slgs was, not by the right of birth or inheritance, but by the divine might that inhabited her superb body.
 Astra's mind WAS dazed from the loss of sleep and the pomp of the fu- neral ceremony. and her nerves were well-righ exhausted by the time she arrived at her crystal home. As she slowly mounted the steps her loss over whelmed her; she had not fully real ized it before. She went at once to her boudair, locked the door and. throwing herself on couch. sabbed bitterly. Her mind reverted to the esst when tie great man she had lost ad played with the little girl of five
 an cid man aEen them but oh how dearly sine ne1 5Yed him.
 Her meaitatiohs were terminated ab- ruptly by The entrance Of old John. who brought the card of Napoleon Edi son. "i promised 10 receive him, did l not?"
 Indeed, madam" bowed the serv- ant
 She thought for moment
 Take him to my fathers library; I will see him there.'
 When Napoleon Edison entered the room he found Astra sitting before the broad desk. He stopped before hel with low bow
 T have the honor to greet you. Miss Prudent" ]"
 The girl looked into the face of the tall, handsome man and saw in his large eray eyes an immeasurable eonr- age. fine strong. Well-shaped nose curved over pleasant mouth that softened the stern expression of the eyes. The high. broad forehead was shaded by dark brown hair The broad shoulders and the sinewy muscular form all gave evidence of strength. endurance and energy.
 The girl did not answer for a few sec onds; some strange power had cast it's spell over Ter while she studio ] this man. She recognized him as the man who had talked so prophetically at the continentalists' meeting in the old Hip nodrome
 Good evening. Mr Edison" she said at last in her low. pleasant voice. The man thought it the sweetest voice he had ever heard. Then she added; Will you kindly he seated?"
 The young man sat down without speaking, and Astra asked: You wished 10 see me; may I ask you. sir, Why?"
 Tine expressive face of the young man showed shade of disappoint. ment as he replied quickly:
 T was under the impression that you expected me, madam, but it seems that I have been misled. However. I can tell my mission in few words /"
 lie rested his eyes on the girls face and seemed still expeetant, but the calm, beautiful face did not change. He continued.
 "The main obi ct of my call 5 this. " He took a small jewel box fiom his pocket, and. opening it, placed il on the desk before Astra. Resting on the purple pad in the box was 6 sparkling 2 white object, a small f4Rg ii the form of spiral: one piece of scroll woven into a shape that formed the lettet "A" to take tha place of the jewel.
 No jewel decorated the ring: Inc material ii was made ef vas more bril- liant tbeu diamonds; it sparEled n all tie oo!9rs Of the rainbow. notwitl. standing it's smooth surface.
 Astra could not ref~ess an eTe!aaa. litAl VI odi ti iot- stIts HUN DGauL She leaned over the desk. admiring the weaving eolors.
 Edison smiled slightly and waited un. ii tho girl was ready to turn from the dazzling ring to him. She took the ring in her hand and saw that it was as transparent. clear and eolorless as crystal; without that sparkling effect it would have been invisible.
 She slowly laid it down again and looked questioningly at the man sit. ting before her. She did not know that while she was admiring the ring his eyes had rested on her yearningly, expressing love and admiration. Or was 1t adofation?
 He smiled strangely at her and said: 'If l read your questioning gaze alright, you want to know the meaning of my gift, gift that l have brought from afar for the daughter of Hanni. bal Prudent He placed a peculiar accent on the last four words