The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1917-06-16

the weaving coiorS.
Edison smiled slightly and waited UNI
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
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 alteration?
He smiled strangely at her and said:
IF 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 peculiar
accent on the last four words.
Il thank you, sir, very much" she
replied.
1T is a present for you, and through
you to the whole American continent"
| Astras face expressed surprise.
II will have to be more explicit l
will have to tell you more about It.
May ask you to let me have the ring
for moments"
She handed it to Edison with 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 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"
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,"
Astras 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 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, l trust you and
believe in you implicitly. Women
know much by instinct, and my intui
lion has never led me astray.
Il 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 | was the
daughter of the man who made this
continent what 1t is today. Now that
| have found man who promises as
great things as you do l shall not &C
cept this nomination, but will insist
upon you as a candidate"
Napoleon Edison shook his head
with smile.
Miss Prudent, ! appreciate what
you say, but none must know about
our present conversation. | have done
nothing but give you jewel. The
other things remain to be proved"
Astra looked thoughtfully at the
visitor and seemed to agree.
Besides" continued Edison, ut is
absolutely necessary that no one shall
know what | 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 crucia