The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-06-11
CHAPTER xxx. Aramis' Thesis.

uVIScS.
 CHAPTER xx.
 Aramis' Thesis.
 ~ 'ARTAGNAN had appeared to
 believe all that Porthos had D told him, convinced that no
 friendship will hold out against a surprised secret, particularly when pride is deeply interested in that se- cret. Now, in his projects of intrigue for the future and determined as he was to make his three friends the in- struments of his fortune. D'Artagnan was not sorry at getting in his grasp beforehand the invisible strings by which he reckoned upon moving them.
 And yet as he journeyed along pro- found sadness weighed upon his heart. He thought of young and pretty Mime. Bonacieux. He. feared that some seri- ous misfortune had befallen the poor woman. He had no doubt she was a victim of the cardinals vengeance, and, as was well known, the vengeance of his eminence was terrible.
 At the Crevecoeur inn, where he had left Aramis, 1t was not host, but a hostess who received him. D'Artagnan was a physiognomist. His eye took in at a glance the plump, cheerful coun- tenance of the mistress of the place, and he at once perceived there was no occasion for dissenbling with her.
 My good dame," asked D'Artagnan, "can you tell me what is become of one of my friends whom we were obliged to leave here about twelve days asol"
 "A handsome young man, three or four and twenty years old, mild, am fable and well made?'
 Exactly the man-wounded, more over, in the shoulder"
 "Just go. We'll, monsieur, he is still 1here!" f
 "Ah, my dear dame," said D'Arta- gnan, springing from his horse and throwing the bride to Planchet, 'syou restore me to life! Where is this dear Aramis? Let me embrace him! am quite anxious to see him again." ''1 beg your pardon, monsieur, but I doubt whether he can see you at this moment. He is with the cure of Mont lidier and the superior of the Jesuits of Amiens. After his illness grace touched him, and he determined to en- ter into orders. Is monsieur still anx- lous to see him?"
 ''More so than ever"
 well, monsieur has only to take the right hand staircase in the yard and knock at No. 5, on the second floor" DArtagnan walked quickly in the direction pointed out and mounted one of those exterior staircases that are st1ll to be seen in the yards of our old fashioned inns. The door opened and DArtaSnan penetrated into the cham ber..
 Aramis, in . black gown, his head envsloped in a sort of round, flat cap, was seated before an oblong table, covered with rolls of paper and enor- mons volumes in folio. At his right hand was placed the superior of the Jeenits, and on his left the cure of Montdidier. The curtains were half drawn.
 At the noise made by D'Artagnan on entering Aramis lifted up his head and beheld his friend. But to the great as tonishKnent of the young. man, the sight of him did not produce much ef- feet upon the musketeer, 80 completely was his mind detached from the things of this world 4 "
 Good day to you, dear D'Artagnan. Believe me. I am very glad to see you.,' .....-,5 se :.
 "So am delighted to see you," said D'Artagnan, ''but disturb you, per haps, my dear Aramis,'' continued D.Artagnan,. D flor by what see am led to believe you are confessing to these gentlemen
 Aramis colored fmperceptibly.
 "You disturb me! Oh, quite the contrary, dear friend, I swear. And as a proof of what I say, permit Me to declare I am rejoiced to see you safe and sound."
 "Ah, he'll come round," thought D'Artagnan. that's not bad.",
 "For this gentleman, who is my friend. has just escaped from a seri.  ous danger" continued Aramis, with unction, pointing to D'Artagnan with his hand and addressing the two eccle. siastics. You arrive very apropos D'Artagnan, and by taking part in OUT discussion may assist us with your in telligence. M le Principal of Amiens M. le Cure of Montdidier, and ar arguing upon certain theological ques tions with which we have been mucl interested"
 Work slowly" said the cure. w leave you in an excellent tone of mint until tomorrow"
 "Yes; the ground is all sown," sait the Jesuit. You promise to becom' k one of the lights of the church. < Aramis conducted them to the foo of the stairs and then immediatel, sAnA nn- A&aiR ta- -Q,ATtaxpa1