Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1913-07-18

you would let me carry at least part
Of your burden. l am a man and I
can stand more than a frail woman"
The girl president blushed; taking
this for encouragement. Mr.. Hale con-
tinued: "Astra, I love you. will you
be my wife?"
The statesman stood helpless before
the girl who smiled kindly at him.
"Sit down, MI. vice-president, and
be good enough to listen to me-"
He obeyed and Astra sat down op-
posite him.
Your proposal honors me. Nj. Vice.
president; / am sorry that l am un-
able to accept 1t. The times that we
are living In are such that matters
such as this would be out Of place,
and while you have all my sympathy,
I cannot tell you that you have my
love-"
A sigh escaped her lips: she thought
Of the man whom she loved, for whom
she felt that she was created. She
yearned to say some soothing words
to the friend of her father, but just
then q sharp ringing sounded through
the whole suite. 1t was q signal for
extremely important communications
and she left hurriedly with a glance
pleading for Hale's pardon
A moment later Astra was IN the
library putting the electro-stylograph
In working order with shaking fingers.
She could hardly believe her eyes; the
pointer of the machine was on the Is
land of Helgoland, the great German
fertilization.
The machine was at last adjusted;
the sparkling stopped and the strong,
manly voice of Napoleon Edison was
heard. His picture appeared on the
helioplate, bowling smilingly toward
the girl whose heart was beating
painfully. Her blood rushed to her
head as she responded to the greet
ing.
Your excellency. I have to report
that the c~onfederated feet of the Eu-
ropean monarchies started for Ma
deira today. l have been a prisoner,
but an hour ago l escaped. Tomor-
row at 1000 p. m. I will be at the
Crystal Palace to tell you everything"
II am SO very. very happy that I
have at last heard from youi"
Edison bowed; In the hazy back
ground of the picture she could see
another mar holding a steering wheel
in his hand, and beside him was the
faint form of q woman watching Edi-
son.
"1 will be there at ten, your ex.
cellency."
II will expect you!"
The picture vanished. She leaned
over the plate that had, a second age,
reflected the image of the man In
whom she placed all her hopes.
Joy and happiness 30 filed her
heart that the news that the confedA
Grated feet was on its way did not
seem SO terrible.
AS she took the paper out Of the
machine to see the message she pom
dered: "The message came from Hell
goland, and he says he will be here
tomorrow. How can that be3"
Recalling that the Vice-president
was waiting for her, she vent back
to the green room
"A very important message came"
she said to Hale, in ~extenuation of
her long absence. Then, after a short
pause, she added: II may as well tell
you now, the confederated European
fleet is ON It's way to Madeira"
The Wce-President gasped. "And
you have connections with Europe,
your excellency?"
She smiled at his surprises "Not
connections; only one, but that one
I believe In implicitly"
Then there will be a session Of
the union ministers tomorrow"
Not tomorrow, but very likely the
day after"
Shortly after this the ~vice-president
left and Astra retired to her private
apartment, giving out orders no one
should disturb her until the next
morning.
When the tired, but now happy girl
was alone, u~ndisturbed, she kissed the
ring with the word "Cirynith" on it.
and looked up to heaven with joyful
eyes. The nan who gave her the ring
was coming.
Continued Next Week