The Parma herald. (Parma, Idaho) 1903-1917, 1913-08-14
CHAPTER III.



Thursday afternoon at four O'Clock
tho 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
well-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
lied 1t before. She went at once to
her boudoir, locked the door and,
throwing herself on 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 were terminated abb
ruptly by the entrance Of old John,
who brought the card of Napoleon Ed
son. II promised to receive him, did
l not7"
Indeed. madam" bowed the serv-
ant.
She thought for a moment.
Take him to my fathers library;
will see him there"
When Napoleon Edison entered the
room he found Astra sitting before the
broad desk. He stopped before her
with a low bow.
II 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 a 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 its
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 seated7"
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 have been misled. However, l
can tell my mission In a few words"
He rested his eyes on the girls face
and seemed still expectant, but the
calm. beautiful face did not change.
He continued:
THE main object Of my call is this"
He took small jewel box from his
pocket, and, opening It. placed 1t on |
The desk before Astra- Resting on the
purple pad In the box was a sparkling |
white object, a small ring In the form
of spiral; one piece OF scroll woven
INTO a shape that formed the letter
A. to take the place OF the jewsl
No Jewel decorated the ring: the
material 1t was made OF was more bril-
liant than diamonds; 1t sparkled in all
he colors Of the rainbow, notwith-
tanding it's smooth surface.
Astra could not repress an exclama-
ion OF surprise. "Ah, how beautiful"
'he leaned over the desk. admiring
he weaving colors.
Edison smiled slightly and waited un-
IL the girl was ready to turn from the
azzling ring to him. She took the
ing In her hand and saw that II was
8 transparent clear and colorlese as
rystal; without that sparkling effect ,
would have been invisible. II
She slowly laid 1t down again and
'oked questioningly at the man sit ,
ing before her. She did not know
hat while she was admiring the ring ,
is eyes had rested on her yearningly. |
Expressing love and admiration. Or
as 1t alteration?
he smiled strangely at her and said:
II read your questioning gaze Alright \
on want to know the meaning OF \
~ gift. gift that have brought c
ON afar for the daughter of Hannt
al Prudent" He placed a peculiar
n 10 Ia