The Marshall republican., 1913-05-23

happiness awaiting DeyOn0.
horns epread the melody farther and
farther, until II soothed the mourning
people in neighboring towns.
The fourteen-hour San Francisco
limited had just slid into the central
depot Of the Tube Lines; the broad
glass doors were flung open and the
passengers hurried out.
One OF them, noticeable for his tall
upright figure, clear eyes and bronzed
face, FASTENED to the helioboard; he
was followed by a short man, whose
rotuDdity more than made up for his
lack Of height. The tall man with the
bronzed face . eagerly watched the
sparkling news, as he had been cut
on from any form Of communication
on the Tube Line for fourteen hours.
The sparks at that moment we're print.
ing some embarrassing commercial
news, but soon the following notice ap
pesred:
The cremation OF the e~x-President,
Hannibal Prudent, will be held at 400
.. m. Thursday"
TOO latel" whispered the stranger
sadly, removing his hat. Friend San.
tos, we are too late. How happy, how
c~ontented he would have been had he
received the news ! wanted to give
him personally before, he left" He
took the arm Of his friend. "Come,
Santos, we have some hard work In
store"
They took the elevator to the aero
station OF the depot, where they board
I'd the south-bound aer bus. A few
minutes later they landed at the ter.
race Of the American Hotel.
The same morning Astra received
several committees offering their sym.
pathies and condolences. When the
last one had gone she sank exhausted
on a couch. She had rested but q
moment when n servant brought In a
card. She sighed YEARLY and made
q motion OF dissatisfaction when she
read the name "Ambrosio Hale"
The man was admitted. As he en-
tered he bowed deeply before the
weary girl who stood there I'm her
black gown, looking like an angel OF
sorrow. The exquisite face had taken
on n new beauty through her afiiction,
which the quickly noticed.
Il have come. my poor, suffering
girl. as a friend OF your father. Dur
ing these days OF sorrow your WON.
ans heart needs the aid OF n strong
man. Your father honored me with
his intimate friendship. and | want &c
offer you my services"
Thank you very much, Mr.. Hale.
Your kindness touches me. II IL good
20 know NAT there are friends upon
whom I can count during these sad
daye. My beloved father. however.
made such far.reaching arrangements
that ] hardly think there is any need
OF -FOUR assistance. But ! thank you
with all my heart"
with these words she offered hel
hand TO Hale, who retained II In his
grasp greedliy.
81 also want to tell you something
confidential. my dear Astra: The Con
~tinental Club feels that this cominl
e;ection will bring the long oxpecte,
event-that Is. the nomination OF thu
first woman President. And the ey,
OF the Continental Club rests on youl'
Astra smiled %serenely.
SHOULD the country select me fol
It's executive, ! shall be glad To serve
and ] will do my best to carry out the
plans formed by my father for the fur
therance of the United Republics.
She looked at the man whose ferret
like eyes could not leave her face
whose Tick lips were parted, showinl
a row of cleaning teeth. In spite o.
his handsome appearance Astra hat
long ago discovered some beetial traii
In him, and had often wondered how
her father could extend his friendship
10 such a man. These thoughts fittet
through the brain OF the girl. then al
afterthought came and she asked:
mr.. Hale. a you give me any In
formation In regard to n place ! can
not fnd7'
II will do my best. my dear Astra.
said Hale. as Astra hesitated.
'Do you know a town. a district
village or any other place by thu
name OF 'Cirynith?'"
Mr.. Hale thought for a moment. theI
admitted that he had never heard o.
the place.
Astra felt some satisfaction.
As Hale left the crystal palace. hi
mot the tall. bronzed man who hat
arrived on the fourteen.hour limited
from San Francisco that morning. OF
the broad stairway that led up 20 the
main entrance. He eyed the sunburnt
athletic man %curiously; the man, not
w~ithstanding his modish style OF dress
looked q stranger.
In the hall, tc handed his card tc
the waiting servant without a word
The servant looked at IL and saw but
one name:
Napoleon Edison"
AS the stranger had no appointment.
Astra told the servant TO advise him
that she could not receive anyone un,
Ill Thursday evening, after the crema
ton of her fathers earthly remains.
Edison shook his head somewhat i'm.