The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1917-07-07

this for encouragement. Ms. Hale con
tinued: .Astra, l love you, will you
be my wife?"
The statesman stood helpless before
the girl who smiled kindly at him.
"Sit down, Mr.. Vice-president, and
be good enough to listen to me"
He obeyed and Astra sat down OPP
posite him.
Your proposal honors me, Mr.. Vice
president; / am sorry that am I'M
able to accept it. The times that we
are living in are such that matters
such as this would be out of place,
and while you have all my sympathy.
l cannot tell you that you have my
love-"
A sigh escaped her lips; she thought
of the man whom she loved, for whom
she felt that she was created. She
yearned to say some soothing words
to the friend of her father, but just
then sharp ringing sounded through
the whole suite. 1t was signal for
extremely important communications
and she left hurriedly with d glance
pleading for Hale's pardon.
A moment later Astra was in the
library putting the electro-stylograph
in working order with shaking fingers
She could hardly believe her eyes; the
pointer of the machine was on the ID
land Of Helgoland, the great German
fertilization.
The machine was at last adjusted;
the sparkling stopped and the strong
manly voice of Napoleon Edison was
heard. His picture appeared on the
helioplate, bowling smilingly toward
the girl whose heart was beating
painfully. Her blood rushed to hei
head as she responded to the greet
ing. 10
your excellency. l have to report
that the confederated feet Of the Eu
ropean monarchies started for Ma
deira today. ] have been a prisoner
but an hour ago l escaped. Tomor
row at 1000 p. m. will be at the
Crystal Palace to tell you everything.
II am SO very, very happy that
have at last heard from you!"
Edison bowed; in the hazy back
ground of the picture she could see
another man holding a steering vince
in his hand, and beside him was the
faint form of woman watching Edi
son:
81 will be there at ten, your ex
cellency."
II will expect youi'
The picture vanished. She Leaned
over the plate that had, second ago
reflected the image of the man il
whom she placed all her hopes.
AS she took the paper out Of thu
machine to see the message she pom
dered; "The message came from Hell
goland, and he says he will be her
tomorrow. How can that be?f
Recalling that the Vice-presiden
was waiting for her, she went bacl
to the green room.
"a very important message game,
she said to Hale, in extenuatbn 0
her long absence. Then, after a ghor
pause, she added: i may as Will tel
you now, the cohfedeTT sfEd Il q
feet is on its way to Madeira"
The Vice-President gasped. IAN,
you have connections with Europe
your excellency?"
She smiled at his surprise.s mo
connections; only one, but that on
l believe in implicitly"
Then there will be session o
the union ministers tomorrow
Not tomorrow, but very likely tn
day after"
Shortly after this the vice-presiden
left and Astra retired to her privat
apartment, giving out orders no on
should disturb her until the mex
morning.
When the tired, but now happy gin
was alone, undisturbed, she kissed tn
ring with the word "Cirynith' on Il
and looked up to heaven with joyfU
eyes The man who gave her the rim
was coming