The Press., 1915-08-18
hat family, but a changeling." :"

 that family, but changeling." He handed the tyrant Marguerite's statement. Robespierre read 1t and
 looked up at his visitor for further de- velopment in this singular proceeding. "I, Jean de Vaudeville, now marquis of Vaudeville, two years ago visited | North America. While hunting buff falo in the far west of that continent
 was captured by Indians. I escaped
 and have returned to find my father dead at your hands and the girl who was brought up as my sister in prison
 awaiting execution. I take it for grant | ed that you wish to exterminate fam | fly of the French nobility. You will | not execute a noble in the woman you
 consider noble. I, Marquis de Haute- vile, am the last of my race. I ask that you release her and put me in her place."
 There were many acts of heroism in those tragic times, but Robespierre had not thus far met with any such self
 sacrifice as this. It was some time be- fore he made reply, his eyes mean while fixed intently on his visitor What his thoughts were no one knows.
 Possibly, impressed by this example of heroism, he may have been think
 ing on plan to save the hero. Possi-
 bly, the De Vaudeville estate interfer- ed with such desire. Presently he said:
 "Citoyen, France accepts the offer of yourself in lieu of one who has passed
 as Mile de Vaudeville. She will be re- leased immediately. Guards" Several soldiers entered and took
 Gaston away to prison. A few min- utes later a messenger carried an or
 der to the keeper of the Conciergerie prison to release Estelle. Then Robes pierre gave Marguerite Maran's state ment to his secretary to be filed among important papers. One more thing needed to be attended to in connection with the matter. An order was issued to subordinate to investigate the man
 who had offered his life as a substi- tute for the released prisoner and as- certain if he were really the Marquis de Vaudeville.
 When Estelle returned to the chateau she learned from the Marans that her lover had returned from America and had offered his life for hers. She was about to return to Paris to reveal the imposture when she was stopped by Francois Maran.
 You cannot save his life by giving yourself up and revealing the truth" said the old servant. Rather join the emigres in Belgium or England and send statement, in which Marguerite will join, that hers is false that you are Marquise de Vaudeville and that the man who has personated the marquis is not the marquis at all. They will then investigate. Such problems are hard to solve at any time, but now they will be harder still. Meanwhile man will be in power, or the thirst for blood will have been quenched."
 Estelle saw the force of this argu- ment. She adopted it except on the matter of leaving France. She chose rather to go into hiding. This she did, and Francois took her statement, in- cluding one from Marguerite, to Paris,
 
 secretary.
 Francois surmise was correct. There were plenty of noblemen and noble women whose identity was unques- toned to satisfy the appetite of the revolutionists for blood without sacri f1cing one who might be commoner. Besides, those were times when the ahov Cne ton remained for long while in prison while a notary was Investigating his identity, drawing pay all the while and in no hurry to lose his job by making a report. Meanwhile the guillotine was working much more slowly and a more conservative element was gaining the upper hand. When the reign of terror was over Gaston Renaud was released, and Estelle came out of hiding.
 It was joyful meeting of the lovers at the Chateau de Vaudeville, rendered far more joyful for Estelle by the knowledge that Gaston had offered his life in place of hers. But another event followed the recall of the mar quis. Jean de Vaudeville, who had been given up for lost, had been captured by Indians and had been adopted into the fibe. It was many months before he found chance to escape and make his way back to Europe. The reign of terror was then in full force, and he remained in England till it was over; then one day he surprised his sister and Gaston, who were now man and wife, by suddenly appearing at the chateau.
 The only thing to mar the reunion was that the marquis had perished in the storm of blood.