The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1917-06-09
CHAPTER II.-continued.

(
One Of them, noticeable for his TALL
upright figure. clear eyes and bronzeo
face, fastened to the helioboard; he
was followed by short man, whose
rotundity more than made up for his
lack of height. The tall man with the
bronzed face eagerly watched the
sparkling news, as he had been cut
off from any form of communication
on the Tube Line for fourteen hours.
The sparks at that moment were print
ing some uninteresting commercial
news, but soon the following notice ap-
peared:
THE cremation of the ex-President,
Hannibal Prudent will be held at 400
p m. Thursday"
Too late!" whispered the stranger
sadly, removing his hat. Friend San
tos. we are too late How happy. how
contented he would have been had he
received the news wanted to give
him personally before he left" He
took the arm of his friend. Come,
Santos, we have some hard work in
store
They took the elevator to the aero
station of the depot, where they board
ed the south. bound aero bus. a few
:. - .s.-..sssssy landed at the te
race of the American Hotel,
The same morning Astra received
several committees offering their sym
pathies and condolences. When the
last one had gone she sank exhausted
on a couch. She had rested but a
moment when a servant brought in a
card. She sighed YEARLY and made
a motion Of dissatisfaction when she
read the name "Ambrosio Hale"
The man was admitted. AS he en-
tered he bowed deeply before the
weary girl who stood there in her
black gown, looking like an angel of
sorrow The exquisite face had taken
on a new beauty through her affection,
which the newcomer quickly noticed.
Il have come, my poor, suffering
girl, as a friend Of your father Dur
ing these days of sorrow your wom-
ans heart needs the aid Of strong
man. Your father honored me with
his intimate friendship, and | want to
offer you my services"
Thank you very much Mr.. Hale.
Your kindness touches me. 1t is good
to know that there are friends upon
whom | can count during these sad
days. My beloved father, however,
made such farreaching arrangements
that | hardly think there is any need
of your assistance, But | thank you
with all my heart"
With these words she offered her
hand to Hale, who retained it in his
grasp greedily.
Il also want to tell you something
confidential, my dear Astra: The Con-
tinental Club feels that this coming
election will bring the long expected
event-that is, the nomination of the
first woman President. And the eye
of the Continental Club rests on you"
Astra smiled serenely.
Should the country select me for
and will do my best to carry out the
plans formed by my father for the fur
therance of the United Republics.
She looked at the man whose ferret
like eyes could not leave her face,
whose thick lips were parted, showing
row OF cleaning teeth. In spite of
his handsome appearance Astra had
long ago discovered some beGtial trait
in him. and had often wondered how
her father could extend his friendship
to such a man. These thoughts fitted
through the brain of the girl, then an
afterthought came and she asked;
"Mr. Hale, can you give me any in
formation in regard to place can.
not fnd?"
Il will do my best, my dear Astra, .
said Hale. as Astra hesitated
"Do you know a town, a district,
village or any other place by the
name of 'Cirynith?'"
Mr.. Hale thought for moment, then
admitted that he had never heard OF
the place.
Astra felt some satisfaction.
AS Hale left the crystal palace, he
met the tall, bronzed man who had
arrived on the fourteen-hour limited
from San Francisco that morning, on
the broad stairway that led up to the
main entrance. He eyed the sunburnt
athletic man curiously; the man. not