In the latter part of April, Robert decided that he must return to New
York and take up his duties. He said good-bye to Lady Bersford. Was
profuse in his thanks; assured her that he owed her a great debt of
gratitude for the comforting messages that she had brought to him thru
"Laughing Waters" and above all was under lasting obligation for the
great kindness she had rendered in bringing him to Sebring where he had
fully regained his health. She assured him that it was a real pleasure
to her to have been of service and invited him to visit her estate in
England on his next trip over.
As Robert started toward New York, his heart was light, his hopes
were revived and he had greater faith than ever that Marie was alive
and would in the not distant future return to him. When he arrived
in New York he went direct to his office and laboratory. Walter and
Edna greeted him with enthusiasm. Were happy to see him looking so
well. Walter grabbed both of Robert's hands and said, "Old pal, I have
never seen you looking so well. You must have found Ponce de Leon's
fountain of eternal youth while you were in Florida." Robert replied,
"I certainly did. Had some wonderful experience at Silver Springs,
the most beautiful spot in Florida. It was there that I received
information that made me very happy because it made me sure that Marie
is alive and will return to me. Also while there I heard about the most
wonderful health resort in the world at Sebring, Florida, where I went
and indeed found the 'fountain of youth,' spending over a month there
playing, fishing and boating. It is about the only place in Florida
where you can get good water to drink without having it shipped in. The
sunshine and climate are ideal. I began to get better the second day
after I was there and gained strength every day. You should certainly
go to Florida on a vacation next winter and spend your time at Sebring.
If you ever get married, be sure to go to Silver Springs on your
honeymoon for you will enjoy this beautiful spot and scenery. Take the
trip down Silver River to the Ocklawaha, then down the beautiful St.
Johns River. If you can make the trip next March or early April, you
will find Nature at her best. You will forget all of your troubles, for
Nature has so staged the scenery that it reminds you only of pleasant
things and inspires hope and happiness in the future."
When Robert had finished telling about the beauties of Florida, Walter
acted bashful and Edna looked rather sheepish. Then Walter said,
"Robert, we have a big surprise for you. Edna and I are going to be
married in June." "Well, this is quite a surprise," said Robert, "but I
knew it would come sooner or later. You must have thought I guessed it
when I talked about you going on a honeymoon. I congratulate you both
and wish you all the happiness in the world. You are entitled to it and
I know that you will be happy together."
The news of their coming marriage was not the only good news they
had. Walter and Edna had been working day and night for months on a
great chemical discovery and had now succeeded in completing it. This
discovery was a perfectly harmless gas to be used in war or for medical
purposes. It would put people to sleep and they would remain asleep
for 7 days, with no ill effects. It had always been Robert's desire to
have something to use in war which would not destroy human lives and
he was very much elated over Walter's discovery. Walter told him that
he had already tested it and that Edna had such confidence in him, she
had taken the gas, remained asleep for 7 days, and felt no ill effects.
Walter knew just exactly why it worked, because he was a great chemist
and knew the natural law behind the discovery. He told Robert that this
must be kept a secret until time of war when with the new ship "Marie
the Angel of Mercy," traveling 1000 miles an hour, they could go from
one city to another or from one battlefield to another, release the gas
and put everyone to sleep for 7 days. In the meantime, with "The Demon
of Death"--they could destroy the enemy's bases and fortifications;
would be able to make their own peace terms with the enemy, and at the
same time obey the divine command of God "Thou shalt not kill."
Cotton had been advancing rapidly and Robert and Walter were making
money fast. Robert told Walter and Edna that on June 9th, his birthday,
he was going to give them a big dinner and celebration before their
marriage. It was now time to declare a holiday and have a real jubilee
celebration after their great discoveries were completed, that it was
but fitting to crown the event with the marriage of Edna and Walter.
They were now in position to sit calmly by and wait for the great war
in the air knowing that, with their secret discoveries, they were
prepared to save the United States in time of war and at the same time
without sacrificing too many human lives.
The birthday party was a great success. Robert spared no expense in
order to have everything of the best. Before the dinner which was
served in a private dining-room, Robert sprung a great surprise. He
arose and made the following speech: "Comrades and friends, we have
traveled the path of life together. Some of us have run the gauntlet
of human emotions. We have gone down to the depths of despair; have
reached the heights of financial glory; have seen our greatest dreams
realized. God has been good to us. Our great discoveries are now
completed. Fame and fortune have crowned our efforts. You, Edna and
Walter, are now to reach the heights of greatest bliss. You are to
have the satisfaction of being united in marriage, to continue your
work together and do the greatest good for the greatest number. You
have been unselfish in your devotion to me and in your loyalty to
your country. The Bible says that where two or three are gathered
together, there God will be to own and to bless. Since God created
the world, the Holy Trinity has been the greatest power and it is
referred to many times in the Bible as Father, Son and Holy Ghost, and
on this mundane sphere we know that happiness comes to husband, wife
and child. The Bible says that one cannot do much alone, that there
is need of two together, and that a three-fold cord is not easily
broken. Edna, your devotion to Walter has been his inspiration and
has led him to the great discovery which will relieve suffering in
the world. Your confidence in him in placing your life in his hands
to test this great discovery, deserves great credit and no honor or
reward is too great for you, but the honor that men can give or the
world or your Government, are but empty and mean nothing to the heart
of a loyal woman. You are to have the greatest reward in Walter's love
and this means more to you than any honors the world can give. It will
satisfy when the shouts of the hero-worshippers have died away. When
money, with all it can buy, has vanished and nothing else remains but
the lovelight in Walter's eyes, you will find happiness." Robert then
presented a beautiful brooch made with the seal of Solomon, constructed
with a double triangle, and set with three beautiful diamonds. In the
center of the seal was a heart and in the center of the heart was a
diamond. He said, "Edna, I present this to you as your wedding gift.
It will be a symbol to you of how the three of us have worked together
in love, loyalty and faith, to accomplish something for others thru
unselfish devotion. With the love of the one must come the love of the
many. One touch of Nature makes the whole world kin, and when once
a woman's eyes have looked into a man's with understanding love, he
need seek no farther for the philosopher's stone, because after that
everything he touches will turn to gold. This brooch and the diamonds
are emblematic of your purity. The diamonds are the most durable and
beautiful of all precious stones. They reflect all the beautiful
colors of the rainbow which reveals God's covenant with man. That is
why the diamonds are used as an engagement ring, but few there are who
know and understand the real meaning and live in accordance with it.
You will ever reflect the beauty of the diamonds. Your love for Walter,
which is the love I am sure never changes, will remain fixed as the
mountain ranges. Remember that the diamond has gone thru the greatest
fire and heat and has emerged with all its strength and beauty. You
must learn to go thru trials and tribulations, to help Walter in time
of trouble and to emerge unscathed, reflecting love and beauty. Walter,
I commend to your care and keeping, a jewel more precious than diamonds
or rubies--a good woman. May your loyalty and devotion ever keep her as
such."
The dinner was then served and Edna proved that, as an after-dinner
speaker, she had some ability. She arose, drank a glass of pure water,
pouring part of it on the floor and said, "Mr. Gordon, my vocabulary
is now destitute of the poetic rhyme that would be necessary to bring
into existence words to express to you my heartfelt thanks for the
favor already in hand. I have been so over-generous in loving Walter
that I feel that I've neglected to extend to you the friendship due to
a man of such noble ideals. As I pour this pure water back to earth,
I am following an ancient custom. Before they entered upon any solemn
obligation, they washed their hands in pure water, touched their lips
with pure water, to purify them and to seal the records of the past.
They poured the pure water back to earth, in memory of the absent and
dead. I pour this pure water back to earth that in the presence of the
living we are not forgetting the absent one, and the greatest wish
that I can have for you, Mr. Gordon, is that at a not distant date,
Walter and I may have the great pleasure of joining Marie and yourself
in an occasion like this. Words are idle now, they mean but little when
the heart is touched. I accept your beautiful gift with all gratitude.
It is my prayer that the day may come when you may have another brooch
made with two hearts entwined, set with a single solitaire, emblematic
of your faith and pure love for Marie. I pray for you the gifts of all
the Gods, and may your prayers be answered as the prayers of Pygmalion
were whose faith and love were so strong that the Grecian Gods turned
a piece of cold marble into the living form of a beautiful woman. But,
Robert, when Marie returns to you in all her beauty, I am sure that you
will not act in the way that Pygmalion did, when he caused Galatea to
pray to the Grecian Gods to turn her back to cold marble again. I am
sure, yes, I know, that such devotion as yours will keep Marie always
when she returns to you."
When Edna had finished, Walter arose and said, "Robert, there is
nothing left for me to say, I thank you."
On the 24th of June, Walter and Edna were married. Robert suggested
that for their honeymoon they go up thru Canada and see the beautiful
scenery there, then go down thru California and in the Fall and Winter,
take a second honeymoon trip to Florida and visit Silver Springs and
Sebring. Robert's mind always drifted back to the beautiful places
where he thought people in love would find harmony and could commune
with Nature.