The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1913-06-24
Copyrights, 1913 By ". g. Chapman IN the United
States and Great britain.
CHAPTER VI.

had been elected President OF the
United Republics OF America. The
dfgnifled Ambrosio Hale won the vice
presidency The elections of the south.
ern republics took place at different
dates. but throughout the continent
the continentals were In power.
The girl, upon whom future respon.
sibifities rested heavily, was strength
enfng herself for coming events. She
was occupied consulting politicians,
generals, admirals, making flying trips
to the Notifications that were rapidly
going up, or being remodeIed accord
ing to the new requirements OF the
times.
Constantly she expected news from
the man she had seen only once, the
man whom she looked upon as the de
hverer Of the American continent, and
also the man she loved.
Days. weeks, months went by. The
day OF Inauguration came. She had
expected confidently that she would
hear from him, or see him on the day
she took the oath at the capitol, but
she was disappointed.
The whole American continent cele-
brated the day, but it was empty Of
Joy for her, the President.
She appeared in white. simple.
beautiful, unadorned except for the
ring which he had given and she al
ways wore. She looked like a bride
on her way to the altar with the man
she had chosen.
The ceremonies occupied almost the
entire day, and the evening was spent
at the ball given by the continental
lists. Throughout the congratulations
that were received shadow was how
ering over all.
It was late when Astra arrived at
her home. She looked over the cor.
respondence that awaited her. There
was no line from the man whose hand
writing she had never seen, no news
whatever from Napoleon Edison.
Yet he had said: sYou will hear
from me as soon as / can tell you
something definite. When you need
me / viii be at your side ready to
help YOU"
With these thoughts to console her
she bent her head to sleep.
The President was at her office
early the next morning. Her first Of
dciaI action was to consult with the
military commanders, then to send
out proclamation to all the republics
OF the greatest union of the world,
giving them detailed instructions re-
garding the defense Of the continent.
In accordance with the decision of
the most competent military men,
General Eugene Grant Gunner. was ap-
pointed commander in chief of the con-
tinentals armies of America. Exten-
sive arrangements were made to en-
list those who were willing to take up
arms for The defense of their country,
and the old form of national guard
tactics were revived.
Astra labOred day and night though
she prayed that God would prevent
the bloodshed for which she was pre-
pairing her people. Such were her
thoughts and still no news came from
the man who had promised so much,
from whom she expected so much
Her cheeks began to lose their
color, and her large eyes often looked
longingly into the distance. 'sWhy
does he not come? Why does he not
send a message?"
The Vice-president, Mr.. Hale, was
announced to her one evening. He
bowed deeply before her as the Pres
ident, then with the familiar air of
close friend, he took Astra's hand In
his.
My dear girl" he began, 81 am
much troubled: your efforts win un-
dermine your health. The roses on
your cheeks are already turning pale.
You should think Of yourself in the
interest Of the union, or you will be
III. My dear Astra, you know how
much I'll adore YOU" He had re.
tanned Astra's hand, but at these
words she slowly withdrew it.
Il first saw you when under the
care or your father, watched you de
velop, strong and beautiful wish
you would let me carry at least part
Of your burden. / am man and
can stand more than a frail woman.
The girl president blushed; taking
this for encouragement, Mr.. Hale con
tinued: "Astra, love you, viii you
be my wife?"
The statesman stood helpless before
the girl who smiled kindly at him.
sit down, Mr. Vice-president, and
be good enough to listen to me-"
He obeyed and Astra sat down op-
posite him.
your proposal honors me, Mr.. Vice.
president; / am sorry that | am I'M
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,
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 sharp ringing sounded through
the whole suite. 1t was signal for
extremely important communications
and she left hurriedly with 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
f0rtihcation.
The machine was at last adjusted;
the sparkling stopped and the strong,
-