The Arvada enterprise., 1915-02-04


The rain fell steadily but less heavi-
ly. | changed my civilian clothes for
hussar uniform. sent trooper to
ind me horse. and sat down by the
window to stare at the downpour and
think how best ] might carry out my
instructions TO successful finish.
The colony at La Trappe was. as far
as ! could Judge, a product Of condi-
tions which had, hundred years be-
fore. eliminated in the French Revolu-
ton. Now, in 1870, but under different
circumstances. all France was once
more disintegrating socially Opposi
ton to the Empire. to the dynasty, to
the government. had been seething for
years; now the separate crystals which
formed on the edges OF the boiling un.
dercurrents began to grow into masses
which. adhering to other masses, in
terfered with the healthy functions OF
national life. First among these came
the International Society of Working
men. with all its afiiliations-the In
ternationale, as 1t was called In its
wake trailed minor societies, some
mild and harmless. some dangerous
and secret, some violent. advocating
openly the destruction of all existing
conditions
With one exception. all those whom
the police and the government regard.
ed as inclined to violence left the
group. There remained, with this one
exception. n nucleus OF earnest.
thoughtful people whose creed was in
part the creed OF the Internationale.
the creed of universal brotherhood.
equality before the law. purity OF in.
dividual living as an example and an
incentive to national purity.
To this inoffensive group came one
day a young widow the Countess de
Nassart. placing at their disposal her
great wealth. asking only to be re-
ceived among them as a comrade.
Her history. as known to the police
was peculiar and rather sad: at six
teen she had been betrothed to an ell
derly, bullneckcd colonel OF cavalry.
the notorious Count de Vassart. who
needed what money she might bring
him to maintain his reputation as the
most brilliantly dissolute old rake in
Paris.
Her dossier-for, alas the young
girl already had a dossicr-was inter.
esting. particularly in its summing up
of her personal character:
ITO the naive ignorance OF con
vent pensionnaire. she adds an limo.
cence of mind. purity of conduct. and
n crednlity which render her an easy
prey to the adroit. who play upon her
sympathies. She is dangerous only ~
source OF revenue for dangerous
men"
II was from her salon that young
Victor Soir went to his death at
Auteuil on the 10th OF January: and
possibly the shock OF the murder and
the almost universal conviction that.
justice under the Empire was hope
less drove the young Countess to seek
Il refuge in the country where, at her
house OF La Trappe. she could quietly
devote her life to helping the desper.
ately wrctched. and where she could
In security. hold counsel with those
who had chosen to give their lives to
the noblest of all works-charity and
the propaganda OF universal brother.
hood
And here. at La Trappc. the young
nristocrat first donned the robe OF
democracy. dedicated her life and for.
tune to the cause. and worked with
her own delicate hands. for every
morsel OF bread that passed her lips
But the simple life at La Trappe,
the negative protest against the EN-.
pire and all existing social conditions.
the purity OF motive, the serene and
inspired self.abncgation. could not
save the colony at La Trappe nor the
young chatclaine from the claws OF
those who prey upon the innocence
OF the generous.
And 80 came TO this Ideal communi.
" one John Buckhurst. stranger.
quiet, suave, deadly pale. n hnely
nodded man. with dellcately fashioned
hands and feet. and two eyes so color.
less that in som" lights they appeared
to be almost sightless
In n month from that time he was
tho power that moved that community
even In It's most insignificant machin.
cry with marvellous skill he con
structcd out OF that simple republic
OF protostants an absolute dcspotism
And he was the dospot.
An intimatlon from the TuilerIes In.
tvrruptcd a meeting OF the council at
the house In Paradise; an arrest was
throatcncd-tha OF Professor Reclus
and the Indignant young Countess
WAS requested TO retire to her chateau
OF La Trappc She obeycd. but invited
her guests to accompany her. Among
those who accepted was BuckhurBt.
About this time the government be.
gan to take n serious interest In John
Buckhurst On the secret stan ot the
Imperial Military Police were always
certain foreigners others. my.
self and young man named James
speed. and Co II Jarrns had already
decided to employ us In watching Buck.
urst. when war came on France like
bolt from the blue. giving tho men