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

We ell nave passions. Mine are 1
for liberty peace"
Liberty, peace" repeated ROSETTA. |
then relapsed into bought. Had Astra /
been able to read those thoughts, she |
would have had cause for alarm Her
brain was flied with war, destruction |
and mourning all over the world.
The next evening Rositta returned |
to Ciryne, with Santos at the wheel !
Of the aerodromone
Napoleon and Astra watched the |
great bird disappear IN the western |
sky, and then hey walked silently to
a seat that overlooked the city Ma |
poIeon talked for the first time about
his love for her. Astra was calm, but |
she rose quietly and stood looking at
the pulsating city below them. Their
love had been understood between
them, although they had never spoken
of it. Yet it made her heart throb
with happiness to hear his tender
words. He rose and gently taking
her arm, they walked among the
plants that grew on the roof. a faint
sound Of music came to their ears.
ture?" asked Napoleon, after silence.
81 have, Napoleon. I have thought,
that when we have finished our task,
when We have done the things my
father wished done for the good of the
United Republics, then we may retire
to that little island where your mother
lives, and rest and be happy until the
end of our days. There your genius
will create new, useful things that
viii make humanity happier, things
that will help eradicate poverty and
misery"
Dear girl! I have a premonition
that the days you dream Of are still
far off; that those intriguers in Eu-
rope are planning and schemfng and
that when we least expect it, trouble
will begin. For that reason, I believe
it best TO plan our marriage now.
Some of the testers over the ocean
have already begun 10 discuss our sit
uation with heartless cynicism."
They stopped and stood silent for
moment, then Astra leaned her head
on Napoleon's shoulder and tenderly
and lovingly she whispered:
Your thought is my thought; viii
follow wherever you lead
In the meantime the aerodronope
was rapidly nearing Ciryne.
ROSETTA had sat motionless for q
short time, her mind revolving all the
details of her plan.
Santos sat with his hands on the
wheel, eyes straight forward, watching
the faint yellowfsh glow that marked
happiness. He felt the presence OF
the woman who was playing with him.
"Mr. Duprel!"
The dreaming man turned toward
the picture Of his dreams, letting the
bird fly its steady, rapid course.
win you answer me question,
Mr.. Duprel?" she asked appealingly.
"As many, countess, as you wish to
ask"
First OF all. please call me ROSETTA
and / will call you Santos"
Santos nodded. He had no more
power to analyze her motives, he
wanted to believe IN the things that
were happening.
''Were you ever in love friend
Santos?" She looked impishly into
Santos astonished eyes.
81 never was before he stammered.
Then you are, noW?"
Santos suddenly felt that weakness
that enveloped him in the presence OF
the fair countess leave him; his deep
love had made him brave.
81 am, countess! Hopelessly in
love" His voice was pathetic, ming
ling Of longing and despair.
why hopelessly, my dear Santos?"
She had laid her hand on his arm, and
repeated the question.
Because dare to love you, you; is
my case not hopeless?" Poor Santos
trembled under the strain of the past
half hour. All at once the despair,
the sufferings and his untold misery
were swept away in the wave of hap
uinesg caused by Rositta's arm about
his short neck. He embraced the ex-
quisite woman so ardently that she
suffered, but she only replied with
sweet, concentrating smile. Santos
declared:
"You have no idea what power you
| possess over me. am your slave
You can make of me what you will,
hero or a traitor. ! am ready to die
for you"
1t was not necessary for Santos to
| tell this. ROSETTA knew her power
even better than Santos.
They were nearing Ciryne, and San
| tos tried to regain his normal com
| posture. ROSETTA said gravely:
Listen to me, my dear. We must
| be very careful what We do. ] love
/ you and / want our love to last as
| long as we live. You are all alone,
| but have powerful connections and
| still more powerful enemies who
would prevent our happiness. For
| that reason we must plan carefully
/ and until that happy time comes,