The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1913-08-15
CHAPTER Ill.
The Rinu.

THURSDAY afternoon at TOUR o cloCh
the clay abode of the man whose death
was mourned by the continent re-
turned to ashes. The mournful pro-
cession started toward the cremato-
rum from the chapel of the Crystal
Palace Gardens had been devastated
to furnish flowers; the streets were
carpeted 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
now were dry, her classic face calm
and her carriage like that of a queen.
And queen she 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
weIl-nigh 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
ICED it before. She went at once to
her boudoir, locked the door and,
throwing herself on a couch, sobbed
bitterly. Her mind reverted to the
past when the great man she had lost
had played with the little girl Of five
years-with her; he was an old man
even then; but oh, how dearly she had
loved him.
Her meditations we're terminated alb
Fuptly by the entrance of old John,
who brought the card of Napoleon Edi-
son. II promised to receive him, did
i not?"
Indeed, madam" bowed the serv-
ant
, She thought for a 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 her
with low bow.
81 have the honor to greet you, Miss
Prudent"
The girl looked into the face OF the
tall, handsome man and saw in his
large gray eyes an Unreasonable cour-
age. The 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 few sec
onds; some strange power had cast It's
spell over her while she studied this
man. She recognized him as the man
who had talked so prophetically at the
continentalists' meeting in the old Hip
podrome
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
viii you kindly be seated?"
The young man sat down without
speaking, and Astra asked: "You
wished to see me; may l ask you. sir
why?"
The expressive face of the young
man showed shade Of disappoint
ment as he replied quickly:
Il was under the impression that
you expected me, madam, but it seems
that l have been misled. However. ]
can tell my mission in a few words
He rested his eyes on the girls face
and seemed still expectant but thu
calm. beautiful face did not change
He continued:
The main object Of my call is this.
He took a small jewel box from hi,
pocket. and. opening it, placed it OF
tne desk before Astra. Resting on thu
purple pad in the box was a sparkl,n.
white object. small ring in the form
o. . spiral; one piece Of scroll woyer
INTO shape that formed the lettn,
=" to take the place of the Jewel
No jewel decorated the ring: tn,
material 1t was made of was more bril-
nant than diamonds; it sparkled in al
the colors Of the rainbow, notwith
standing its smooth surface.
Astra could not repress an exclams
ssano OF surprise: ~Ah, how beautifull