Cheyenne record., 1914-03-26
-Y WaGHAPr1AN M nE WQItD sKIEs AND @REM BRTNM {

spell over her while she studied this
man. She recognized him as the man
who had talked so prophetically at the
continentalists' meeting in the old Hip
podrome.
Good evening, Mr.. Edison" she said
at last in her low, pleasant voice. The
man thought 1t the sweetest voice he
had ever heard. Then she added:
"Wtn you kindly be seated?"
The young man sat down without
speaking. and Astra asked: "You
wished to see me: may l ask you. sir.
why"
The expressive face of the young
man showed a shade of disappoint.
ment as he replied quickly:
II was under the impression that
you expected me, madam, but it seems
that l have been misled. However,
can tell my mission in a few words"
He rested his eyes on the girls face
and seemed still expectant. but the
calm, beautiful face did not change.
He continued:
"The main object Of my call is this" 1"
He took small jewel box from his
pocket, and, opening 1t. placed It on
| the desk before Astra. Resting on the
purple pad in the box was a sparkling
white object, small ring In the form
of spiral: one piece of scroll woven
into shape that formed tho letter
"A" to take the place of the jewel.
| No jewel decorated the ring; the
material 1t was made of was more bril-
liant than diamonds; 1t sparkled In all
the colors Of the rainbow, notwith-
standing it's smooth surface.
Astra could not repress an exclama-
ton Of surprise: "Ah, how beautiful"
She leaned over the desk. admiring
the weaving colors.
Edison smiled slightly and waited un.
til the girl was ready to turn from the
dazzling ring to him. She took the
ring in her hand and saw that 1t was
as transparent, clear and colorlese as
crystal; without that sparkling effect
1t would have been invisible.
She slowly laid 1t down again and
looked questioningly at the man sit
ting before her. She did not know
that while she was admiring the ring
his eyes had rested on her yearningly.
expressing love and admiration. Or
was it alteration?
He smiled strangely at her and said:
III read your questioning gaze Alright,
you want to know the meaning of
my gift, gift that have brought
from afar for the daughter of Hanni-
bal Prudent" He placed a peculiar
accent on the last four words.
Il thank you. sir. very much" she
replied.
1T is present for you. and through
you to the whole American continent"
Astra's face expressed surprise.
II will have to be more explicit. l
will have to tell you more about 1t.
May l ask you to let me have the ring
for a moment?"
She handed 1t to Edison with a gra-
cious movement of her slender hand.
He took it from her, and, grasping it
firmly with both hands, he pulled It
apart; it yielded like rubber and
jumped back to It's former size when
he released it. Then he let 1t drop
on the polished desk; it sounded like
glass.
What do you think Of that, Miss
Prudent?"
1T Is wonderful"
Indeed it is, and more: 1t carries
the solution Of aerial navigation, max
ing the aerial crafts as safe as your
chair. 1t makes war on land or sea
absolutely impossible. 1t strikes the
word distance from the dictionary.
What do you think of it?"
Astra's face took on an expression
full Of faith and thankfulness; her eyes
seemed to look far up to the power
that moves worlds and creates new
stars.
"You--you have come to our aid;
peace and happiness will still reign
over our continent. God has sent you
to me in this trying moment"
Tear drops trembled on her long eye
lashes like drops Of dew on 4 flower.
When the moment Of enthusiasm had
passed they sat again calmly opposite
to each other. This time Astra spoke:
my dear Mr.. Edison! You have
not proved what you claim can be
done, but the way you said it con.
vinced me that you have the power to
do it. In other words, trust you and
believe in you implicitly. Women
know much by instinct. and my intui-
lion has never led me Rstray.
T recognized you at once as the man
who spoke at the Continentalists'
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