Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 January 1914 — CHAPTER III. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

CHAPTER III.

■ The Ring. Thursday afternoon at four o’clock tho clay abode of the man whose death was mourned by the continent returned to ashes. The mournful procession started toward the crematorium from the chapel of the Crystal R&laee. Gardens had been devastated to furnish flowers; the streets were carpeted with blooms. Immediately following the coffin rode his only relative, the daughter of Hannibal Prudent, In an open carriage. Her pale face epoke of sleepless nights and many tears, but her eyes now were dry, her classic face calm and her carriage like that of a queen. _Aad a queen Bhe was, not by the right of birth or Inheritance, but by the divine might that Inhabited her superb body. Astra’s mind was dased from the loss of sleep and the pomp of the funeral ceremony, and her nerves were well-nigh exhausted by the time she arrived at her crystal home. As she slowly mounted the steps her loss overwhelmed her; she had not fully realized It before. She went at once to her boudoir, locked the door and, throwing herself on a 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 wae an old man even then; but oh, how dearly she had loved him. Her meditations were terminated abruptly by the entrance of old John, who brought the card of Napoleon Edison. “I promised to receive him, did I notr “Indeed, madam,” bowed the servant. She thought for a moment “Take him to my father’s library; I 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. “I have the honor to greet you. Miss Prudent.” k The girl looked into the face of the tall, handsome man and Saw in his large gray eyes an immeasurable courage. The strong, well-shaped nose curved over a pleasant mouth that softened the stern expression of the eyes. The high, broad forehead was shaded by dark brown hair. The broad shoulders and the sinewy, muscular form all gave evidence of Btreugth, endhrance and energy. The girl did not answer for a few seconds; some strange power had cast its spell over her while she studied this man. She recognized him as the man who had talked so prophetically at the continentalists’ meeting in the old Hippodrome. “Good evening, Mr. Edison,” she said st last in her low, pleasant voice. The man thought it the sweetest voice he had ever heard. Then she added: “Will you kindly be seated?” The ypung man sat down without speaking, and Astra asked: “You wished to see me; may I ask you, sir, whyr The expressive face of the young man showed a shade of disappointment as he replied quickly: “I was under the impression that yon expected me, madam, but it seems that I have been misled. However, 1 can tell my mission in a few words." He rested his eyes on the girl’s face and seemed still expectant, but the calm, beantlfnl face did not change. He continued: “The main object of my. call Is this.” He took a small jewel box from his pocket, and, opening it, placed it on the desk before Astra. Resting on the purple pad In the box was a sparkling white object, a small ring in the form of a spiral; one piece of scroll woven Into a shape that formed the letter *A” to take the place of the jewel. No jewel decorated the ring; the material It was made of wae more brilliant than diamonds; It sparkled in all the aolors of the rainbow, notwithstanding Its smooth snrfnce. Astra could not repress an exclamation of surprise- “Ah, bow beautiful!”

E&e leaned the tot tteMiy Edison smiled slightly and waited untll the girl was ready to turn from the dassling ring to him. She took the ring in her hand and saw that it was as transparent, clear and colorlese as crystal; without that sparkling effect it would have been invisible. She slowly laid It down again and looked questioningly at the man sit-, ting before her. She did not kDow that while she was admiring the ring bis eyes had rested on her yearningly, expressing love and admiration. Or was it adoration? He smiled strangely at her and said: “If 1 read your questioning gaze aright, you want to know the meaning of my gift, a' gift that I have brought from afar for the daughter of Hannibal Prudent.” He placed a peculiar accent on the last four words. “I thank you, sir, very much,” she replied. “It is a present for you, and through you to the whole American continent.” Astra’s face expressed surprise. “I will have to be more explicit I will have to tell you more about It May I ask you to let me have the ring for a moment?” She handed It to Edison with a gracious 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 it. Then he let It drop on the polished desk; it sounded like glass. “What do you think of that Miss Prudent?” “It is wonderful.” “Indeed it Is, and more: It carries the solution of aerial navigation, making 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 M yen 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 Bent you to me in this trying moment.” Tear drops trembled on her long eye 4 lashes like drops of dew on a flower. When the moment of enthueiam 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 convinced me that you have the power to do it. In other words, I trust you and believe in you implicitly. Women know much by tnßtinct, and my-Tntut tion has never led me astray. “I recognized you at once as the man who spoke at the Contlnentallste' meeting, trying to encourage masses and give them heart to brave approaching events. "As you know, the Continentallsts have nominated me because I was the daughter of the man who made this continent what it is today. Now that I have found a man who promises as great things ae you ao I shall not accept this nomination, but will insist upon you as a candidate.” Napoleon Edison shook his head with a 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 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 he elected and Inaugurated the 4th of March this coming year, 'fhis is the 15th 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

moment arrives. If you will permit me I will report whenever I can; that will not be often. I will supply you with information from time to time as to what is going on on the other side, and suggestions that you can use, if you desire/ for defense, should it prove necessary." Edison stopped for a second, bit his lip thoughtfully, then rose.

“I have finished my duty for the present You don’t know. Miss Prudent bow much 1 appreciate the fact that you look upon my Intentions with approval. Intuitively knowing that they are noble and the outgrowth, of your father's teachings. lam aorry I came , too late to tell him the good new*—that war la destined to lose its foothold throughout the world.”

. \ ■ “IJbope it wm cease forever.” Interrupted Mies Prudent. ~ . . "The element that ring is made of will drive it from lend and from sev but carries it into the air.” *But if no one knows the secret?” “There are no secrets, Miss Prudent; there are many things we don’t know yet, J>ut there are no secrets. Nature is an open book to those who can read and understand.” “Again yob are right, Mr. Edison.” “Then, with your permission, I will go. I hope that the service I am offering to our Continent will be accept ed aa freely as I am offering 1C” . “1 can assure you of that, as the nominee for the presidential chair.* She offered her hand again and Napoleon Edison kissed It reverently. * He bowed once more and started toward the door. Miss Prudent hesitated a moment —a question was on her Ups—but as she hesitated it was too late; the visitor was gone. "Cirynith—Cirynith!” sha sighed, more than uttered, and looked at the chair that had a short moment ago held that splendid man. It seemed to her as tnough the stranger had carried away something —something?—what? She did not know. She sat down before the desk and taking the ring in her hand looked at it? and finally she slipped it on her finger, it fitted perfectly. Then she looked at it more closely and saw some small tracings on It She could not distinguish the lines with her unaided eyes, so took a magnifying glass and examined it chnously. A cry of joy left her lips as she deciphered the strange word “Cirynith.” By some coincidence Napoleon Edison, emerging from the portal, again encountered the he had met three days before; the only difference was that this t'me he was leaving and Ambrosio Hale was coming. The tall man with those ferret-like eyee, fox nose and brittle mustache was evidently surprised. As he passed the porter’B gate he asked who the stranger was. The porter could not remember, but It was a name that made him think or Napoleon; whether It was Bonaparte or Caesar he could not recall. Mr. Hale was received in the green room. Astra had a peculiar dislike for that color, not In nature, but In furnishings and clothing, and generally received people ehe did not like in the green room. That room had a depressing effect on her mentality, and the people who visited her there soon left. “I have come this time, my dear Astra, to congratulate you. I wanted to the continentalists, and there is no doubt but you will be elected; there is hardly any opposition on the seotionlsts’ part. Whom could they put up against you, .my dear Astra?” He pressed the hand of the girl warmly. He knew that he had to win her love or he would never reach the goal he was longing for. "I wish you would consider me your very best friend, my dear. Consult me any time you please. Your wisdom and judgment Is great. The whole continent is looking at you as the deliverer; still, onc& in a while the word of an experienced statesman will help" “Indeed, Mr. Hale, I assure you that If I ever need your kindly offered help I will call on you.” The intimate conversation did not last long, ae other visitors arrived and spoiled Ambrosio Hale’s ardently longed for opportunity. Before Astra fell asleep, she kissed the glittering ring on which the word Cirynith was faintly engraved. That evening Napoleen Edison, accompanied by his short friend, sat In a compartment of the fourteen-hour Frisco limited, flying toward the West; the. train that was shot through the tube by compressed air was so perfect that not a rumble was heard, or m quiver felt. Napoleon Edison bent over an outwpreqd plan showing an object of peculiar construction. His companion watched him for a while, then fell asleep. Edison looked at the fat man’s nodding head, and turned the light lower, so that it fell only on hie blueprints. He sat studying those llneß that ran straight, curved and oblique; they formed a picture that was not intended—the outlines, the details of a serene, strong face—Astra’s. The train shot steadily toward the Golden Gate. (TO BE CONTINUED.)

Some Strange Power Had Cast Its Spell Over Her While She Studied the Man.