Orphans of the Storm Part 22

... Both she and her precious Jacques the Good-for-Nothing take it on the run, enduring the buffets of the railing soldiery. Yes, Picard--our genial rogue of a body servant--gets in the last bayonet p.r.i.c.ks and body wallops of this story!

CHAPTER x.x.x

THE AFTERMATH

Danton later suffered the dark hour and the snapping of Life's thread through Robespierre's cruelty, but the glory of that valiant soul is eternal.

His plea for the ways of Mercy--his gallant deeds (like this particular one) of risking all for the life of a friend--were as signposts to bewildered humanity. He foresaw the precipice down which the Terrorists were headed for the pit:

"This time twelvemonth I was moving the creation of that same Revolutionary Tribunal. I crave pardon for it of G.o.d and man. They are all Brothers Cain--I leave the whole business in a frightful welter.

Robespierre will follow me; I drag down Robespierre!"

Of a verity, the following Thermidor or hot July saw the fate come true. Universally execrated, the Tyrant was himself dragged down and guillotined. Fell with him the rest of the murdering crew. Black hatred--foul suspicion--wicked vengeance vanished like departing plagues.

There dawned happier days wherein justice bore sway, and little gardens of flowers and love and happiness again sprang up and flourished. Among these blooming gardens let us seek the refuge of Count and Countess de Linieres after the Storm has abated and the kinsfolk it has sundered are united. The sisters of our story are their especial care, daughter and foster-daughter of the exquisite chatelaine.

Young Maurice de Vaudrey is their pride. The old gentleman has reconciled himself to the pa.s.sing of the Ancient Regime, and through his nephew's good office has made his peace with the State.

On a bright and beautiful day as Henriette is flitting about the garden, the Doctor--none other than our old friend of La Force--comes with a precious gift.

"The removal of the cataract has been successful," he says, presenting Louise. "Is it not a joy that she can see?"

The girls intertwine arms and laugh happily. The parents approach.

Henriette and Louise embrace the Count, now their foster parent and protector. Back of the Count limps the devoted Pierre, now fully restored from his old hurt of the bayonet thrust. Pierre is to be the Countess's especial care.

That lovely lady has received her daughter Louise within her arms, a daughter who for the first time can look upon the mother of whose loving care she was deprived for a score of years. In a few moments Henriette summons her sister to her side as a young man, whom we should all recognize, joins the little company.

"Allow me to present to your new eyes Monsieur Maurice de Vaudrey--"

then with a shy smile and a glance back and forth, Henriette adds:

"_Do you approve of him?_"

Recurs the memory of that almost forgotten incident in the Normandy home--Henriette's promise to stay single till the blind sister should win sight and approve the suitor. Louise is so happy that she decides to tease. She is about to shake her small head and her lips to frame "NO!" But in another moment she uses her new gift to inspect the marvelous young man of whose perfections she had so often heard.

She looks at Maurice from top to toe; the shapely head covered with luxuriant locks, the fine brown eyes, the Apollo features comely yet sensitive, the elegant form, small hands and feet, the graceful and chivalrous carriage--the MAN who is looking at her with a kindly affectionate smile. Really, Henriette hadn't told her half enough! She clasps her sister with one hand, Maurice with the other, cries: "YES!"

We may leave our hero and heroine there--as Louise and the oldsters presently left them--to taste the exquisite happiness of mutual love.

For Love is stronger than Death, and must prevail. And the kisses of Maurice and Henriette blotted out all the wrack and nightmare of the "Orphans of the Storm!"

THE END

EDGAR RICE BURROUGH'S NOVELS

May be had wherever books are sold. Ask for Grosset & Dunlap's list.

TARZAN THE UNTAMED

Tells of Tarzan's return to the life of the ape-man in his search for vengeance on those who took from him his wife and home.

JUNGLE TALES OF TARZAN

Records the many wonderful exploits by which Tarzan proves his right to ape kingship.

A PRINCESS OF MARS

Forty-three million miles from the earth--a succession of the weirdest and most astounding adventures in fiction. John Carter, American, finds himself on the planet Mars, battling for a beautiful woman, with the Green Men of Mars, terrible creatures fifteen feet high, mounted on horses like dragons.

THE G.o.dS OF MARS

Continuing John Carter's adventures on the Planet Mars, in which he does battle against the ferocious "plant men," creatures whose mighty tails swished their victims to instant death, and defies Issus, the terrible G.o.ddess of Death, whom all Mars worships and reveres.

THE WARLORD OF MARS

Old acquaintances, made in the two other stories, reappear, Tars Tarkas, Tardos Mors and others. There is a happy ending to the story in the union of the Warlord, the t.i.tle conferred upon John Carter, with Dejah Thoris.

THUVIA, MAID OF MARS

The fourth volume of the series. The story centers around the adventures of Carthoris, the son of John Carter and Thuvia, daughter of a Martian Emperor.

GROSSET & DUNLAP, Publishers, NEW YORK

FLORENCE L. BARCLAY'S NOVELS

May be had wherever books are sold. Ask for Grosset & Dunlap's list.

THE WHITE LADIES OF WORCESTER

A novel of the 12th Century. The heroine, believing she had lost her lover, enters a convent. He returns, and interesting developments follow.

THE UPAS TREE

A love story of rare charm. It deals with a successful author and his wife.

THROUGH THE POSTERN GATE

The story of a seven day courtship, in which the discrepancy in ages vanished into insignificance before the convincing demonstration of abiding love.