The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1913-07-05

The little island, hardly three square
miles in size. was in the glory Of tropf
cal spring, and the fine weather had
brought back the health OF Mrs. Edi-
son.
The sunsets were wonderful. Po-
etTy and love were adrift in the air
Poor Duprel! It was only a question
of time until he would become Rosit-
ta's slave, only question OF time when
he would betray his master for sweet
word from those treacherous lips.
Napoleon came a week later and
thanked ROSETTA for her kindness to
his mother during her indisposition-
He did not talk about the discovery of
the rich cirynith deposit in her pres
ence, but when they went out for a
walk he found an opportunity to com
munieate the good news to his mother.
There was but one obstacle in the
way of his acquiring this property.
The last Prince of Schomburg Lithow
had died. His possessions were now
German crown lands and diplomacy
must be employed, or the Count Won
Werdenstein would suspect the value
Of the property, and if he discovered
the secret of the aerodromone Napo-
leon well knew that he would not hest
tate TO take TO war in the air.
1T would be terrible he sighed, "to
destroy all the good we have accom-
pIished"
Napoleon invited the countess TO re-
turn to the capital with him and spend
few days with Astra. She consent
ed, and when they were alone asked
what had become of the assassin who
| had sought Astras life. Napoleon
could give her no information except
that he was in prison.
Almost every mail brought the
| countess letters from Europe, among
which was another from the Count
/ Won WeTdenstein.
! The cleverly worded contents of
that message conveyed the informa-
| ton that Napoleon was interested in a
/ piece of land belonging to the Schom-
/ burg LithoW princcdom. ROSETTA was
! requested to find the reason for his
! interest. AS soon as she was ready
| to cast the bomb that would destroy
peace the reward she might ask would
be hers.
All this harmoniZed with her plans,
/ and she looked forward to the next
| trip to Ciryne with Santos.
There was a reception at the Crys-
tai Palace that evening for the diplo-
matte corps of the countries repre-
scented at the caEtal. It brought back
the days before the isolation. Uni
forms glittered, orders of valor and
distinction were exhibited by the Eu.
| ropeans, who seemed to hold to their
traditions; the barbaric splendor OF
the Orient mingled with the simple
evening dress Of the Americans, foI
simplicity characterized every Ameri
can citizen.
When Astra appeared she was her
self the greatest jewel.
A concert was arranged for the en-
tertainment of the distinguished
guests.
The Countess Rosiny and Mr. Hale
sat near each other; he was dreamilJ
enjoying the wonderful mellow con
tralto voice.
An attendant whispered: "a mes
senger wants to see your ladyship."
Quietly she withdrew from the hall
Ambrosio Hale looked after her. He
had seen the changing expression or
her face, and shook his head doubt
fully as he watched her leave.
A man awaited the countess in {
small reception room; he wore thu
black cassock of Trappist monk, al
haf cfjJ IN q
few of the European countries
! His face resembled that of thu
. Countess Rosiny to an extraordinar!
. degree.
r When she saw him she uttered on
2 word: Robert" He motioned 70
!, her to step nearer, and she obeyed
The pale padre brought from undo
3 his robe small parcel and unfolde,
2 1t. 1t contained a small locket witt
: fine chain of gold. Fine miniature
$ were on either side, and pressed be
i tween was curl of black, glossy hair
/ bound with narrow black ribbon
r One portrait was Rositta's. The 9th
| er was a little girls.
i In pantomime the monk told Rositt
4 that he had brought this to her at tn
request of the little girl. She watche
+ him stupidity, seeming unable to gras
b his meaning. At last it came owe
e her with a rush and she grasped tn
s monks arm convulsively.
Brother, what has happened to hel
s to my-my daughter"
n The monk slowly raised his RICH
hand heavenward.
n ROSETTA gave one shrek and fe
It fafnting
n The monk picked his sister up an
e placed her tenderly on the sofa, the
}, he wrapped the locket and chain in it
/ silk covering and placed it CAREFUL
? in the bosom of her dress.
His large eyes rested somberly o
l. Rositta, and a sigh escaped his lip;
n He crossed himself and, with las
s glance at the silent woman, departed
: (Continued MOnday)