The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-01
N CHARLES JAnES LEVI

Toms interest, got wind of the plot and came disguised as an old woman to the barracks to warn him, although he did 1t at the risk of his life Just before Tom was called out to the hall to see the "old woman,'' Bubbleton. Crofts and some other officers were at cards. Bubbleton. 1 though always talking about millions, was notoriously poor, and lost bet to Crofts. Tom, who had some money, quickly slipped him what he thought was twenty-pound note to make good his bet While Tom and Darby were in the hallway, Bubbleton threw the note on the table. At that instant a bugle call summoned all the officers except Crofts, I who was not on duty, to the evening for l nation.
 Out they rushed, leaving Crofts alone. | Looking through the door, he called to , Tom: Young man, how comes it that you have in your possession a French bank note? I saw you slip this to Bubble , ton. Are you, young as you are, an enis- 1 sary of France as you are rebel to your 1 King? I know more about you than Is | we'll for you.' Tom made hot reply, | acknowledged the French note was his, demanded it back and rendered Crofts twenty younds The captain waxed mole | and more insolent and threatening, and l at last losing his temper he drew his | sword in & frenzy and rushed on the boy. 1 The sharp steel penetrated Toms side. l The captain shortened his blade to run l him through when Darby rushed into the room and felled Crofts to the ground, l where he lay apparently dead.
 1 Its life or death now!' said Darby. | ''Wipe the blood from your face and try | to be calm as we pass the sentry. Can 1 you walk?'
 i By great effort-for the blood was 1 pouring from his wounded side-Tom managed to walk as far as the street and down to the river front. AS in a dream he felt himself taken to a house by the water. Then he tainted.
 However, he was not badly wounded ! after all; and before daybreak was taken to a smuggler's vessel lying in a cove down the coast.
 l Thus 1t was that Tom left his native ! land and found himself at last in France, and, thanks to the letter of Charles de Meudon, a student in the Polytechnique. ! There the young foreigner became as much a Frenchman as any foreign ever can be; and he filled his young soul with military aspirations and blind devotion : to Napoleon, which he shared with mil lions, and which was such as no hero. | probably, ever before inspired in the 1 hearts of his followers. One day the poor, friendless Irish boy finished his course and became an officer. He was really ''rom Burke of Ours' at last as tho half crazed Bubbleton used to call him. He gained his epaulets a little prema- turely. One day, while leading the at 1 taclxing force in a mimic battle of the students, he was stunned while leading a desperate charge. General dAuvergue had come to review his cadets that day and brought with him two ladies. As Tom opened his eyes the younger of the ladies was stopping over him holding q 1 cup of water to his lips. She was Of about his own age, delicately formed, her l complexion and her dark-fringed eyes be- speaking the Provencal. Her features were beautifully regular and when in re- pose seemed perfect Greek.
 While Tom still gazed at her he heard the roll of drums, the clash of arms and cries of "C'est lui! Cest lui "vive Bonaparte. Vive le Premier Con- sul He looked up. Surrounded by brilliant staff stood a short man looking down upon him with pale big hand some face on which command was tenn pered by almost womanly softness he smiled upon the fallen youth. 1t needed but a glance to tell Tom that 1t was the First Consul. On that face like an antique cameo were written Destiny"
 Ut was well done my child" said Ma poleon. "Very well done, and as you have lost coat in the struggle we must give you another to replace it. Monsieur Lagrange, what is the character of this boy?"
 i It was thus that Tom Burke became an officer of the 21st Regiment of Foot, sta toned in Paris. He found himself quar- tered with Lieutenant Tascher nephew of Madam Bonaparte, from Guadeloupe. And on my word," said Tascher, "the only favor have received from my dis tingushed uncle was a sharp reprimand on one occasion for 9 boyfsh freak when all the other delquents got off scot-free am now under orders for service, but for where don't know. But of this I am very sure; whatever good fortunte is going a-begging, I, Lieutenant Tascher. will get only the hem of the garment" He was a frank, happy spirited young man, and Tom liked him at once.
 One day Tascher came In greatly ex- cited Ma foir" cried he. Ut is great thing to be the nephew of the First Con- sul You know I have the entree to my aunt's soirees. Well, vacancy has oc- cured in the Eighth Hussars--a corps always stationed here or at Versailles. We'll I was to have 1t. But it fell out last night that my uncle, coming unex- pectedly into my aunt's quarters. found us acting charades. l was dressed up as a galley, slave. He stood for a moment with hsI arms folded and his eyes wan 2, dering over the room. We were all si- lent and terror-stricken 'Hap cried he, ! T have made mistake. I thought I was in the TuIleries, but l find I am in the Port St. Matin You, sir said he, turn ing to me, shall be employed on duty
 
 CTS starts for the galleys of Toulon to- morrow. You will go along as command CT of the escort So there you are; and l am off for Toulon. Oh, forgot to say that you' are to receive the vacancy in the Hussars and will be invited to the Tui1leries tonight"
 | And so 1t was that the nephew of the First Consul went to Toulon and the un- I friended Irish youth received his appoint ment in the Hussars that very day and an invitation to attend the soiree of sMa- l dam Ia Consulesse that evening"
 His old cadet uniform would never do | Tom rushed to a fashionable tailor's to ! provide hirhself with uniform of his new regimentvthe gorgeous uniform of hussars. The Ntailor's shop was filled with young dandies. military and civil The proprietor of the shop was insolent A languid young lounger joined in a rude reilark about "presumptuous ca- dets.'
 ''You are insolent, sir cried Tom to the lankuid young man. Hal" cried the stranger; and the bystanders called on Tom to apologize on the spot. Apol- ogize? Not he! He gave his name and rank. The other announced himself as the Marquis de Beauvais and expressed
 his delighted willingness to '.accommo- date" Tom early the next morning.
 Tom left the shop in rage and went
 to the soiree in his cadet uniform. It
 was his first introduction to the great
 world. His eyes opened wide and his
 heart beat rapidly as one great name