Omaha daily bee., 1898-05-29

800 49, ~ ~
from militant anarchists. denouncing every
thing, including the Maker OF everything.
these reporters scribbled away at their pads.
sharpened pencils. or nicked the ashes from
good cigars under the very noses-ln the
very faces-of the most irresponsible crowd
OF rufhans that ever gathered to encourage
each others criminal instincts. Mortier
began to speak. rising on his crooked legs,
his long throat swathed in a red handker-
chief. Under the grotesque dome OF his
bald forehead his villainous face contracted
till the scrubby beard bristled. When no
opened the black cavern Of his mouth n
single tooth broke the monotony Of his grin
nirg gums.
He spoke for a long time, his piercing
voice splitting the choked atmosphere till
the crowd howled again and the dreadful
tumult broke back from the echoing rafters
into a very hell Of sound.
Flourens followed. speaking first ear
nestly, then with a frightful impetuosity. He
leaped to the platform before his desk and
stretched out his arm. Every movement
set the gaslight glittering and shimmering
over the gilded arabesques on his uniform.
The crowd roared, mad with exultation.
Then B%uckhurst arose.
At the first quiet word a hush fell over
the hall. His voice was placid, passionless,
cool, and grateful as summer showers.
Citizens he said, you have organized
your battalion, you have added your voices
to the voices of the other two battalions; a
legion has been formed. Major Flourens is
your leader.
"The government says that he is not. We
differ from the government-we expect to
differ more seriously still-when the time
comes. At present we can afford to wait.
But a time is very near when orders that
come from the Palais Bourbon will be coun-
fernandez by orders issued from the Hotel
de Vile. The undertakers need a larger
hall-the Hotel de Vile is not too large
The frantic cheering checked him for a
moment. Then he resumed:
For q time It is best that we go to the
ramparts. that we fight the Prussians under
the tricolor. This is policy-for the moment
But-policies change, so do flags, so does
what is nov called patriotism.
Citizen Mortier has reminded you that
universal brotherhood is not compatible with
patriotism, that the red flag of revolt is the
universal banner of human brotherhood, that
there is nobler game for your rifle bullets
than the hearts of battle-driven peasants,
who, although Prussians, are your brothers
and your comrades in arms against the
wealth of all the world. 1t is well to bear
this in mind-and wait.
And now, as you have elected Major
Flourens chief Of the new legion, and as you
have elected me commandant of your bat
TALON, l ask you for the privilege of naming
to you two of my fellow countrymen for cleo
ton as captains in the Third battalion"
Name them, Name them!' shouted the
crowd.
Bourke leaned over the balcony, clutching
Harewood's arm.
by heaven!" he whispered, ''do you see
who he's going to name?'
Hardwood, mute with establishment, stared
down at the platform, where two men had
mounted from the crowded floor and now
stood facing Buckhurst.
The two men were Speyer and Stauffer.
Amid a whirlwind of applause their names
were presented and accepted. Buckhurst adj
ministered the oath. Flourens dramatically
returned their salutes. Mortier, his ape-like
face stained a dull red with excitement, sat
behind his desk, on which lay a pile of red
cocardes. His little insane eyes snapped as
Speyer and Stauffer marched up to be in
vested with the badge of anarchy. The
crowd howled, drums and bugles crashed
out, the meeting was at an end.
Suddenly, in the midst of the tumult, Hare
wood felt that somebody on the swarming
floor below was looking straight at him. He
turned his head uneasily. Buckhurst's color
less eyes met his own. For a full minute
they gazed silently at each other across that
smoke-reeking chaos. The bugle's ear
splitting racket, the crashing of brazen
drums, the echoing howl died away in Hare
woods ears. He only heard a clear, pene-
trating voice repeating, SILENCE. silence, II
you please, gentlemen" and Buckhurst. with
his eyes still fixed on him, touched Speyer
on the elbow. Stauffer, too, was looking up
NON, Spavar had tprpad 1iyid whom he saw
Hardwood.
Come muttered Bourke. I'VE might as
well get out of this and he moved toward
the stairway. Hardwood following.
AS they reached the last step and started
to push through the crowded doors a hand
fell lightly on Harewood's shoulder. Buck
hurst stood beside him.
The involuntary start that Hardwood gave
communicated itself to Bourke. He also
turned to confront Speyer and Stauffer.
Gentlemen" said Buckhurst, speaking in
English, your faces are familiar to me.
| Captain Speyer tells me that you are New
York reporters. Do you know me?"
Yes said HARDWOOD, sullenly. Buck
bursts pale eyes stole around to Bourke,
then returned directly to Horewood.
"Of course" he said placidly, "if you
cable anything unpleasant about me I'll
have your throat cut"
Hardwood started on again toward the
door, but Speyer jerked him back, saying
savagely: Listen. Do you hear?" and
Buckhurst added quietly: You'd better
listen"
If Bourke had not gripped Harewood's
arm in time Speyer's face would have suf-
fered. With clenched fists Hardwood pushed
toward him. Buckhurst flung him back,
showing his teeth slightly, his face
distorted with that CHASTITY smile that none
who had ever seen it could forget.
"lf you cable for my extradition,' he said,
"Ill cut your throat as Il spy"
SPY" Hardwood furiously.
Eyes, an imperial spy who aided the
empress to escape from the Tuileries. You
fool. don't you think ! know? You and
your comrade and two women named
Chalais-you aided the empress"
Hardwood was dumb; Bourke stared at
Speyer. who sneered in his face. you want
a witness? am the Witness" said
Speyer.
BuckhuIst turned fiercely on Bourke:
Look outl' he whispered; don't try any
- W-a- h