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

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
nights and many tears, but her eyes
now were dry, her classic face calm
and her carriage like that of queen,
And a queen she was, not by the right
of birth or inheritance, but by the
divine might that inhabited her superb
body.
Astra's mind was dazed from the
loss of sleep and the pomp of the fu,
neral ceremony, and her nerves were
well-nigh exhausted by the time she
arrived at her crystal home. AS she
whelmed her; she had not fully real
lied 1t before. She went at once to
her boudcir, 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 alb
Fuptly by the entrance Of old John,
who brought the card Of Napoleon Edi.
son. Il promised to receive him, did
] not?"
Indeed, madam" bowed the serv.
ant
She thought for moment.
Take him to my fathers library;
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.
Il have the honor to greet you, Miss
Prudent"
The girl looked into the face OF the
tall, handsome man and saw in hi!
large gray eyes an Unreasonable cour
age. The strong, well-shaped nos'
curved over pleasant mouth tina
softened the stern expression of tn,
eyes. The high, broad forehead wa
shaded by dark brown hair. The broat
shoulders and the sinewy, muscula
form all gave evidence of strength
endurance and energy.
The girl did not answer for few SEE
onds; some strange power had cast It
spell over her while she studied thi
man. She recognized him as the ma
who had talked SO prophetically at tn
continentalists' meeting in the old Hi
podrome.
Good evening, Mr.. Edison, j" she sal
at last in her low, pleasant voice. Tn
man thought it the sweetest voice h
had ever heard Then she added
will you kindly be seated?"
The young man sat down withor
speaking, and Astra asked: "Yo
wished to see me; may l ask you, 81
WHY"
The expressive face Of the youn
man showed shade OF disappoin
ment as he replied quickly:
Il was under the impression tht
you expected me, madam, but it seen
that / have been misled. However,
can tell my mission In few words
He rested his eyes on the girls ia,
and seemed still expectant, but II
calm, beautiful face did not chang
He continued:
"The main object of my call is this
He took a small jewel box from
pocket, and, opening it, placed it ,
the desk before Astra. Resting on d
purple pad in the box was sparklil
white object, small ring in the for
Of spiral; one piece Of scroll WOW
into shape that formed the lett
"a to take the place of the jewel.
No jewel decorated the ring: t
material 1t was made of was more bI
liant than diamonds; it sparkled In
the colors of the rainbow, notwit
standing it's smooth surface.
Astra could not repress an exclan
aioD OF surprise: "Ah, how beautiful