Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-03-23
The Argus Daily Story
A Dilemna-By Louise Revere.
copyrighted. 1911. by Associated Literary Bureau


throned, the communists of Paris took
possession of the city. They compris-
ed that element which brought about
the reign OF terror during the French
previous century, only the former rev.
olutionists were led by a mingiing of
patriots and demagogues, while the
latter were led by impractical idealists
Among these commune leaders was
a young artist. CASTOR Boyer, who was
as much of poet as an artist. There
is something fascinating in the enthu-
siasm of these dreamers who would
bring about a Ethiopia. At any rate,
Boyer was much beloved by all who
knew him. Mile. Adele Boivissant, a
person of very different ideas from
him, met and fell in love with him
and, her love being returned, after
their engagement did all she could to
eradicate his wild notions.
However, at the first movement of
the commune in 1870 Boyer threw him
self into it and became the captain of
one Of the bands or companies in that
force which obtained the control of
Paris. For several days they held the
power to inaugurate any governmental
system they chose and had they be-
gun to lay the foundations for such
system would undoubtedly have held
it longer. But, having reached point
where their dreams must either be-
come a realization or fall to pieces, like
the wave that trembles before it
| breaks, the communists, not knowing
what to do with their power, remain
| ed inactive, let it fall and went down
with 1t to their ruin.
| L lring the last struggle with those
who were striving to place France
again under a governing power Gas
ton Boyer was dangerously wounded.
| Being nearer the residence of his
fiancee than his own home, he told
those who were dragging him from
the clutch of the victors to carry him
there. They did so. Mile. Boivissant
received him and, finding that he was
bleeding profusely, hurried out to Sc
cure the services OF surgeon.
This was just preceding that slaugh-
ter of communists which was the most
pitiful accompaniment of any modern
revolution. The prisons were filed with
them, and in groups they were taken
out into the yards, placed with their
faces against a wall and shot down
without mercy. In the general massa-
ere even children were made to suffer
with the rest This method Of destroy
ing anarchy is a bloody page in the his
tory of government
CASTOR Boyer, lighting desperately
and holding his men together at the
barricade he defended, was marked
man to his enemies. The officer who
led battalion of infantry against him
when he took the barricade sent Lieu
tenant Bertrand with file of men to
get possession of the communist who
had given them so much trouble. Ber-
trand had to fight his way after those
who were carrying Boyer, but managed
to keep them in sight and saw them
bear him into the home of his fiancee,
Entering the house, the lieutenant
found a surgeon there with instruments
pertaining to his profession in his
hands. but no one else.
How now, NJ. lie Docteur" ex-
claimed the lieutenant "What are you
doing here without a single patient
when so many wounded men are need
ing your attention elsewhere?"
81 was just going out to serve the
poor fellows when you entered"
THAT story will not go down with
me. A wounded communist has been
| - hA ft1hh
of the lot. 1t is evident that you have
been treating him. Where is he?"
"If you think there is any one here
you want all you have to do is to search
the house."
"And so will"
Bertrand sent his men up and down
stairs, instructing them to ransack ev'
cry corner, while he reserved for him
self a bedroom out OF which be had
seen the doctor coming when he en-
tered the house. He opened a closet
door, looked behind lounge and lifted
the valence of a bed. From the latter
place he dragged forth Mile. Bowls
SAINT, trembling like leaf and pale al
death.
Now the searcher by this discover!
was thrown off the scent at the mo
ment- when he was within q few fee
Of the man he sought. Boyer had beef
} carried into the room and, at the mo
ment the surgeon, who had just arriv
ed. was attempting to stop the flow o
blood from the communists wound
there came up the sound of armed mel
below.
Heavens exclaimed Adele. ''Wha
shall we dog"
There is but one hope" said tn
surgeon. Let me lift him under tn
bed. Possibly they may not think o
J, looking there for brave man"
y With help Boyer got under the bed
Then the surgeon suggested that Adel
go under it with him and hold towe
up against the wound to stanch tn
flow of blood with the hope OF presery
n ing her lover from death. She SUI
ceeded in doing 50. and at the sam
!. moment the surgeon passed out of tn
room.
There is a game here" said the lieI
tenant Doubtless. mademoiselle, yo
are conceaIing a lover. but J am at
loss to understand why you should cor