The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-08-01
HIS EMBLEM OF FORTUNE
Why the Violet Came to Be the
Favorite Flower OF Great
Napoleon.
The Part It Played In a Lilo
Not Filled With Senti-
ment.
Romantic Story Of EapOlsOn's selection
To Bring Order Out OF Chaos In
the Republic.

6GuVy Va
10 Bring Order Out OF Chaos In
the Republic.
II is France in 1894. The month is May,
and mother nature has just awakened from
their winters sleep the flowers, the lowell
est Of her children. After such a storm as
history seldom records the last waves of
the revolution are s~ullenly beating upon
the land Of the Burgundy rose and Bour-
bon lily. BY a 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. Tho
96 wards Of the city on the Seine are ablaze
with passion. Thu women who dipped
their handkerchiefs in the blood that squirt
ed under the knife Of the guillotine when
the last of the u%nbroken line of the Louises
died in the Placeo of Peace are full Of saw
agery Of the ancient days, and nothing but
the red stream flowing anew can quench
sion. 1t il 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-
v%ention, 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
traditions Of honor and glory for a thou
sand years nave had one unbroken line in
history, is to lose her place among the ma
lions 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 We're
growing longer when Barras, the peoples
champion, left the heated hall of the con-
vention for a little rest and thought, and
his steps led him to the salon of a woman
famous in those days, for she was beauti-
full, we'll born and patriotic, whom he'ten-
derby loved. She was alone, n 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 q stream
Of blood.
.'There is no longer a leader among us,
chere amio," said the great statesman n
orator whose fervor and passion had so
touched the peoples hearts. 1.-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 q man as her lover
was; q woman brave with sweet heroism,
tender and true.
"Bahl that good Godl 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"
Nku1 COW url hava no 1aa6ar9v che
spoke after a long silence in Il musing
way, thinking aloud. "Who are your com
manders, then? Where is that droll little
man you presented to me at Mme. de
Stael's 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
a thought that may yet save FranceI'
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 1.-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 q trusty servant was charged tc
deliver it personally into M. B~uonaparte's
hands and not to fail.
II have sent for you, NJ. B~uonaparte,'
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
tion."
Can you restore peace and order?" sale
the president to the young man before him
The members looked curiously on and lis
tened.
$50 France has come to this" whispered
one %graybeard to his neighbor, that hel
life and fate lie in the hands of a youth o
25" (who looked even less than his age
"only 5 feet 2 inches in stature, with hail
combed low on his brow like a woman's
Farceur val"
II am perfectly aware Of the difficulties
in the path, but I am accustomed to sue
coed" said the young man, speaking witt
a strong Italian, or rather Corsican, accent
But one thing l must insist upon. 1t i
that l am not to be embarrassed by orders
| must nave supreme command. That !
ALL"
And, bowling low to the peoples repre-
sentative, the little, pale man, but 5 feet
in stature, with gray crown eyes AM
banged hair, left the hall, and the conven
UlOu Will OAooCa NoA PAS~SSASN IVA
slider his proposition.
As Buonaparte left the hall Barras fol
lowed him for a last word. G to you
rooms and remain there" said the politi
clan in quick speech to the young office,
'and l will send you the result as soon a
possible"
"It must beall or nothing" answered tn
other.
just then a flower girl came up to ther
with her basket full Of fragrant ~violets, an
Barras bought a bouquet for the woman b
loved. The little man's eyes softened.
"They always remind me somehow {
home" he murmured alphabetically as b
gave the seller u SOU and took a tiny DO,
quet. A thought struck Barras.
go to the salon of Nine. -" said h
land remain there until 10. If l succee
for you, she will send you a violet"
The young officer went rs he was told.
: was early, hours before the time of recel
ton, but he was admitted. The salon WI
;. empty. Alone the young Corsican pace
the spacious room. 1t was Z, then half pas
/ then 8. AT last the clock in the hall bega
{ to strike Off 0. As it's chimes ceased a SER
/. ant entered the room with a billet.
"For the General Buonaparte, from Mn
: -" said the nan as he withdrew.