Williams news., 1914-04-16
CHAPTER III.
Ihe Rina.

Thursday afternoon at four o'clock the clay abode of the man whose death was mourned by the continent re- turned to ashes. The mournful pro- cession started toward the cremato- rum from the chapel of the Crystal Palace. Gardens had been devastated to furnish flowers; the streets were .carpeted with blooms. Immediately following the. coffin rode his only rela- tive, the daughter of Hannibal Pru- dent, in an open carriage. :. Her pale face spoke of sleepless s nights and many tears, but her eyes now were dry, her classic face calm and her carriage like that of a queen. And a queen she was, not by the right of birth or inheritance, but by the divine might that inhabited her superb /. pody-
 Astra's. mind was dazed from the loss of sleep and the pomp of the fu- neral ceremony, and her nerves were wellnigh exhausted by the time she arrived at her crystal home. As she slowly mounted the steps her loss over whelmed her; she had not fully real fzed 1t before. She went at once to her boudoir, locked the door and, throwing herself on couch, sobbed bitterly. Her mind reverted to the past when the great man she had lost had played with the little girl of five years-with her; he was an old man even then; but oh, how dearly she had loved him.
 Her meditations were terminated ab- ruptly. by the entrance of old John, who brought the card of Napoleon Edi- son. J promised to receive him, did l. net?"
 Indeed. madam" bowed the serv- ant.
 = She thought for moment.
 Take him to my fathers library; I will see him there"
 When Napoleon Edison entered the room he found Astra sitting before the broad desk. He stopped before her with a low bow.
 have the honor to greet you, Miss Prudent.
 The girl looked into the face of the tall, handsome man and saw in his large gray eyes an immeasurable cour- age. The strong, well-shaped nose curved over a pleasant mouth that softened the stern expression of the eyes. The high, broad forehead was shaded by dark brown hair. The broad shoulders and the sinewy, muscular form all gave evidence of strength, endurance and energy.
 The girl did not answer for few sec onds; some strange power had cast its 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, MT. Edison" she said atslast in her low, pleasant voice. The man thought it the sweetest voice he had ever heard. Then she added: z Will you kindly be seated?"
 The young man sat down without speaking. and Astra asked: You wished to see me; may ask you, sir why?"...
 The expressive face of the young man showed a shade of disappoint ment as he replied quickly:
 1 was under the impression that you expected me, madam, but it seems that I have been misled. However, can tell my mission in a few words
 He rested his eyes on the girls face and seemed still expectaht, but ths calm, beautiful face did not change ; He continued:
 "The main object of my call is this. He took small jewel box from hi: " pocket, and,- opening it, placed it or -- 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 wover into shape that formed the letter to take the place of the jewel. 'f; No jewel decorated the ring; tn, material it was made of was more bril- liant than diamonds; it sparkled h al the colors of the rainbow. notwith standing it's smooth surface.
 Astra could not repress an exclama tion of snrnrisa. "Ah. how beautiful!