Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1913-09-05
continental holiday

geous ceremony. but they could not
stop the expressions of love that came
from the loyal citizens. The whole
capital was alive with color, and the
messages that came and the sincere
joy Of all. made the day one to be
remembered for years to come.
Astra had missed ROSETTA very much.
She had been unable to attend the
wedding, as she had been III on the
Island Of Ciryne for the last few
weeks.
When Napoleon heard that the
countess was unable to attend their
wedding on account of her ~indisposi-
ton. he thoughtfully shook his head.
It seemed incredible that Rositta, who
was SO full OF vitality and energy,
should be Ill. He only said: every
Illness has a remedy"
He did not give the matter further
thought. He spent the last day before
his marriage in his aerodromone, the
American Eagle. Where he was, or
what he did, no one seemed to know.
and he did not volunteer the informa-
ton.
After their wedding luncheon Astra
returned to her presidential office, as
there were things that she wanted to
attend to personally. Especially the
criminal case of Nikolay Mozrak. The
Criminal Court of the continent had
decreed capital punishment for at
tempted assassination of the President
of the United Republics Of America.
Astra read the document carefully,
and instead of signing 1t, she wrote:
"Pardoned, and shall be instantly re-
leased"
(Signed)
"ASTRA PRUDENT EDISON"
She dispatched the pardon by a spe-
cial messenger, and then took up other
matters.
At seven o'clock she was at the Crys-
tai Palace, to dress for the banquet Of
the Continental Commercial and In
dustrial Association, one of the most
powerful societies organized to pro-
mote the welfare of business people.
She and Napoleon drove to the new
Capital Hotel In an open car. The
banquet was arranged for 1000 guests
and the whole upper floor was thrown
open for the purpose.
At eleven o'clock the presidential
party left and threaded its way toward
the Crystal Palace. At the Palace
Judge Seaman Of the Continental
Court awaited them. His mission was
to deliver a heavy looking letter to the
President.
"Your excellency will pardon me for
the prisoner you so kindly pardoned.
insisted that this letter Is important.
and would not leave the prison until
I promised him that / would deliver 1t
personally"
Astra took the letter and thanked
him for it's safe delivery, then dis
missed him with a few kind words.
Napoleon escorted his mother to her
rooms, then returned to the library.
where Astra awaited him. Her can
did, beautiful face was pale and tears
glistened in her eyes. Her whole be-
ing expressed sorrow.
"What is 1t, dear?" asked her hus-
band, sympatheticailys
Instead of replying, she handed him
a letter. He recognized the fine hand
writing OF tho Countess Rosiny. 1t
read:
"My dear Friends and Protectors:
II am writing this to you both. as !
know you will be married when you
receive 1t. / know you will receive all
kinds of presents. surprises and con-
gratulations, as you are both the be-
loved OF your followers. But in order
to give more value to the kind wishes.
I have decided to tell you the truth.
the unvarnished, cruel truth.
II wonder IL 1t will surprise you to
find that I am, and have been In the
service of Count Won Werdenstein.
You have been the kindest of hosts,
indeed, SO good that you made my task
really despicable but much easier.
Don't take this very seriously. Life
is made up of an equal portion OF
bad and good, and the end is always
the same. Death gathers US all in,
and puts In our places others who may
find pleasure In destroying all that we
have created. You both dream OF
world peace-I wish / could create
peace In my own hearth
IL admire you both, especially Ma
poleon, and for that reason, l hate you
both, being unable to love you, as
there are no middle streams In my ma
ture.
There is no use of my telling you
what I inland IN do. Won will know II
soon enough, and you both will be
sorry that you ever met the unhappy
person whose name was, once, Rositta
Rosiny.
"And now. l wish you all happiness.
until we meet again.
"ROSITTA,
Princess of Schomburg Lithow."
Napoleon quietly folded the letter
and handed it back to Astra. He did
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