Williams news., 1914-04-16
She leaned over the desk. admirins

ln0 WedVluS COloTS
 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 It was as transparent, clear and colorless as I crystal; without that sparkling effect it 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 adoration?
 He smiled strangely at her and said: "If I read your questioning gaze alright, you want to know the meaning of my gift, gift that I have brought from afar for the daughter of Hanni- bal Prudent" He placed a peculiar accent on the last four words.
 T thank you, sir, very much," she replied.
 Ut is present for you, and through you to the whole American continent" | Astra's face expressed surprise.
 T will have to- be more explicit. will have to tell you more about it. May ask you to let me have the ring | for moment?"
 She handed 1t to Edison with gra- cious movement of her slender hand. He took it from her. and, grasping it apart; 1t yielded like rubber and jumped back to its former size when he released 1t. Then he let 1t drop on the polished desk; it sounded like glass.
 What do you think of that, Miss Prudent?"
 Tt Is wonderful"
 Indeed it is, and more: It carries the solution of aerial navigation, mak- ing the aerial crafts as safe as your chair. It makes war on land or sea absolutely impossible. It 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 flower.
 When the moment of enthusiasm had passed they sat again calmly opposite to each other. This time Astra spoke:
 My dear MT. Edison! You have not proved what you claim can be done, but the way you said 1t con vinced me that you have the power to do it. In other words, I trust you and believe in you implicitly. Women know much by instinct, and my intui- lion has never led me astray.
 'I recognized you at once as the man who spoke at the Continentalists' meeting, trying to encourage the masses and give them heart to brave approaching events.
 "As you know, the Continentalists have nominated me because I was the daughter of the man who made this continent what 1t is today. Now that have found a man who promises as great things as you do shall not ac- cept this nomination. but will insist upon you as a candidate
 Napoleon Edison shook his head with smile.
 Miss Prudent, I appreciate what you say, but none must know about our present conversation. I have done nothing but give you a jewel. The other things remain to be proved"
 Astra looked thoughtfully at the visitor and seemed to agree.
 Besides" continued Edison, "it is absolutely necessary that no one shall know what I can do. You will be elected and inaugurated the 4th of March this coming year. This is the 18th of September. The isolator now existing will last until the coming summer and you will hear from me between now and then: indeed, you can depend on me when the crucial