The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1913-06-28


Could we go tomorrow %
yes, but / think it would be best
to travel at night, as wish to keep
the existence of the American Eagle
a secret for while"
THAT Is wise Let us start at eleven
tomorrow evening"
Napoleon bowed, and so the matter
was settled.
The Countess Rositta Rosiny was
led into the room.
Astra embraced the countess kindly.
Welcome TO our continent, my dear
countess"
Countess Rosfny sobbed. Her, heart
seemed touched by the kind reception
given her by the representative of the
greatest republic! But though Napo-
leon Edison was a scientist, inventor
and discoverer, he could not see into
the heart of the weak, beautiful wom-
an. Had he known what was going
on within it, he would have acted diff
ferently.
Astra invited the countess to stay
with her in the Crystal Palace. IT.
was almost midnight when Napoleon
left, assuring Astra that he would call
for her at eleven the next evening.
At the time appointed he was at the
door with a powerful automobile. As
ira refused to sit in the tonneau of the
machine, SO Napoleon assisted her to
the seat beside him at the wheel and
she let her hand rest lightly on his
arm. The big machine ran evenly out
of town, into the suburbs, and turned
into big garden that was a natural
forest. The large mansion was desert
ed, but garage showed signs of life.
A broad stream of light spread out
into the quiet summer night from one
window. The sound of Napoleon's
occupant of the building, as the large
door was pushed open in tins TO let
the large car enter.
Napoleon stopped the car and as
sisted the President down. Then TAX
Ing the arm of man who opened the
door, he said:
fExcellency, allow me to present Mr.
Santos Duprel. my best and trusted
comrade.'
The short man bowed with rever-
ence.
rs everything ready?" asked Nape-
leon. The little man nodded.
Napoleon opened door and led his
guest through it; Santos locked the
door of the garage and followed them.
The room they entered opened sky
ward. A shimmering object, entirely
A1l;ro 4ba rIaoo asIaap,od in thu cfor
light. Napoleon led the President up
few steps, into small space that
was Enclosed, but with something that
was perfectly transparent, and asked
her to sit down on a couch.
"Will you kindly wait here for few
moments?" he asked, and he went fur
Their forward. Astra's eyes became
used to the dim light; she saw Napo-
leon stop before some complicated
mechanism and a steering wheel. San
tos came and closed the door through
which they had entered the car Elec-
tric sparks few from something at
the front.
care you ready?" asked Santos.
Ready" was Napoleon's reply as
he turned a lever. The machine start
ed upward and two huge wings that
Astra had not noticed before, began to
beat the air. She had not experienced
the slightest shock, yet she realized
that they were going up with great
velocity. The machine was practically
noiseless, the only sound being =
whistling murmur caused by the beat
ing wings
The GOODNESS was perceptible and
Astra wrapped her cloak more closely
about her. Napoleon gave a twist to
the wheel. and with small light stud
led his map and the compass.
Santos now took the wheel and Ma
poleon sat down opposite the Presi-
dent. He pointed out the different
places as they rushed over them
Frankfort. Louisville, St Louis, Wich-
ita, Ashland, Santa Fe, Prescott and
Los Angeles-then came the ocean.
Astra sat silent She had a great
mind and her appreciative qualities
were far above the average.
THE greenish light that you see Just
before us is the Island of Ciryne,' said
Napoleon.
A few minutes later the aerodromone
settled down in very large hangar,
but as the place was dark Astra could
not see the machine and it's outer ap-
pearance. Napoleon helped her out
and, showing her his watch, convinced
her that they had made the trip in
three hours; it was eleven o'clock, ac-
cording to Pacific time.
AS rapidly as the earth revoIves,"
remarked Astra>
Napoleon led Astra into large.
square building in the center OF the
group. 4 peculiar odor greeted her
nostrils as she entered It was not
disagreeable. but reminded her or