Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1893-08-08

The violet's Part.
1t is France in 1874. The month is Nav,
| and mother nature has Just awakened from
their winters sleep the flowers, the lowell
| est of her children After such storm as
history seldom records the last waves of
tia revolution are sullenly beating upon
the land of the Burgundy rose and Bour-
bon lily. By quick combination of the
old rOyalists and Jacobins the new conven-
ton OF Paris, though preferred by the peo-
pie, is likely to be beaten by the mob The
90 wards of the city on the Seine are ablaze
with passion. The women who dipped
| their handkerchiefs in the blood that squirt
ed under the knife of the guillotine when
the last of the unbroken line of the Louises
died in the Place of Peace are full of saw
| agery of the ancient days, and nothing but
the red stream flowing anew can quench
their mad thirst. The convention is in ses-
| sion. 1t is awed by the old royalist armies
and the newer national guards.
One commander after another has gone
over either in person or spirit to the enc
mics Of peace Barras, who leads the con-
vention, is alert and ready. full of the fer
tility of expedients that characterizes the
Latin race, but he can see no hope. The
republic is lost. and mighty France, whose
sand years have had one unbroken line in
history, is to lose her place among the ma
| tons at last, for who shall be her deliverer
from the awful cruelty Of her own unnat-
ural children.
The shadows of the soft May day were
growing longer when Barras, the peoples
| champion, left the heated hall Of the con-
vention for little rest and thought, and
his steps led him TO the salon of a woman
famous in those days, for she was beauti-
full, well born and patriotic, whom he ten
derby loved She was alone, and together
they spoke of the nations danger, of the
fear which filled each heart that the life Of
| the republic might soon run out in stream
Of blood
There is no longer a leader among US,
chere annie" said the great statesman and
orator whose fervor and passion had so
touched the peoples hearts. THE end has
come"
Never despair. Perhaps the good God
may help u.s. softly replied the gracious
woman who was so dear to him-a woman
to fill the ideal of such a man as her lover
| was; woman brave with sweet heroism.
| tender and true.
Bah! that good God! He is long in
coming" said Barras He had learned his
theology from the great orator of the
mountain, who died saying, Sprinkle me
with perfumes and crown me with flowers,
for death is but an eternal Sleep
Nay, believe it not, mon ami" she soft
ly whispered, help will come"
And you say you have no leader" she
spoke after long silence in musing
way, thinking aloud Who are your com
manders, then, Where is that droll little
man you presented TO me at Nine de
Staels the other evening? He seemed to
have brains and courage, too. that little
Corsican"
''Pardie," said Barras, springing into
| new life. Belle annie, you have given me
| thought that may yet save Francer'
They talked very seriously for a few min
utes, and he returned to the convention
full of a new hope. But before he left the
salon he had written a little note addressed
| to The general of the brigade, Napoleon
Buonaparte" (who spelled his name thus
until after his coronation as EMPEROR, pray
ing his immediate presence at the conven-
| ton, and trusty servant was charged to
deliver it personally into VI. Buonaparte's
hands and not TO fail.
Il have sent for you, VI. Buonaparte,"
said Barras an hour later to the small, pale
faced man with whom he was earnestly
| talking, because you are our last hope,
and l will now present you to the conven-
ton"
Can you restore peace and ORDER" said
the president to the young man before him
The members looked curiously on and lis
tened.
so France has come to this whispered
one gray beard to his neighbor, that her
life and fate lie in the hands of a youth of
25'' (who looked even less than his age),
| only ) feet inches in stature, with hair
combed low on his brow like woman's.
| Farceur va.'
Il am perfectly aware of the difficulties
| in the path, but am accustomed to sue
coed, said the young man, speaking with
a strong Italian, or rather Corsican, accent.
| But one thing / must insist upon. 1t is
| that am not to be embarrassed by orders.
/ must have supreme command. That is
all"
And, bowling low to the peoples repre-
sentative, the little, pale man, but feet
! in stature, with gray brown eyes and
| banged hair, left the hall, and the conven-
| ton with closed doors proceeded to con-
slider his proposition.
As Buonaparte left the hall Barras fol-
| lowed him for last word. Go to your
rooms and remain there" said the politi
clan IN quick speech to the young officer,
land will send you the result as soon as
possible"
ut must beall or nothing" answered the
other
Just then flower girl came up to them
with her basket full of fragrant violets, and
| Barras bought a bouquet for the woman he
loved. The little mans eyes softened.
They always remind me somehow of
home" he murmured apologetically as he
gave the seller a sou and took a tiny bou-
quet. A thought struck Barras.
, go to the salon of Nine. -" said he,
land remain there until 10. If / succeed
| for you, she will send you a violet"
The young officer went as he was told 1t
was early, hours before the time of recep-
| ton, but he was admitted. The salon was
empty Alone the young Corsican paced
the spacious room. 1t was &. then half past,
| then s. At last the clock in the hall began
to strike off 8. AS its chimes ceased serv-
/ an t no