The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-06-21
nv ALEXANDRE DUMAS

fine matter was all explained to him, and the friends gave him to under stand that among all his high connec- tions he must find place for Kitty.
 Mine. de Bois-Tracy asked me, for one of her friends who resides in the provinces, I believe, for a trustworthy femme de chamber" said Aramts.
 He placed himself at the table and wrote a little note which he sealed with ring and gave the billet to Kit H.
 rAnd now, my dear gin." said DAT tagnan, you know that Ii is not good for. any of us to be here. Therefore let us separate We shall meet again in better days, depend upon it.'
 And he went to conduct Kitty down stairs.
 An instant afterward the three young men separated, agreeing to meet again at o'clock at Athos' residence, and leaving Planchet to guard the house.
 Aramis returned home and Athos and D'Artagnan went about pledging the sapphire.
 As the Gascon had foreseen, they found no difficulty in obtaining 300. pistoles upon the ring. Still further, the jeweler. told them that if they would sell 1t to him, as it would make . magnificent pendant for earrings, he would give 500 pistoles for it.
 Athos and D'Artagnan, with the ac- Etfvity of two soldiers and the knowl- edge of two connoisseurs, hardly re- Quired three hours to purchase the en- tire equipment of the musketeer. E But when Aramis, hose and equip zak fzssse Of Grlmands were pIlr-. .Aased Afhos had not a sou let of his S150 plstoles. D'Artagnan offered his friend a part of his share, which he. should return when convenient.
 But 3.Athos only replied to this pro- posal by shrugging his shoulders.
 A.eHow: much did the jeweler say he would give for. the sapphire If he pur- chased it?'' said Athos. 2aa es
 Five hundred pistoles.'
 'That is to say, POO more loo pis- toles for yoneand 100 pistoles for me. We'll, now, Chat would be real for tune to us, my friend. Go and tell him the ring is his, D,Artagnan, and bring back the 200 pistoles with you" Half an hour afterward D'Artagnan returned with the 2,O00 Hvres and without having met with any accident. ] It was thus Athos found at home resources which he did not expect At4 o'clock the four friends were all assembled at Athos' apartments. Sud denly Planchet entered, bringing two letters for D,Artagnan. The one was little billet, genteelly folded, with a pretty seal in green wax, on which was impressed a dove bearing green branch.
 The ether was large square epistle, resplendent with the terrible arms of his eminence the cardinal duke. At the sight of the little letter the heart of D'Artagnan bounded, for he believed he had seen that writing be- fore, and, although he had seen that writing but once, the memory of it re mained at the bottom of his heart. "Be," said the letter, Ion Thursday next at 2 o'clock in the evening on the road to Chailzot and look carefully into the carriages that pass, but. if you have any consideration for your own life or that of those who love you, do not speak a single word, do not make movement which may lead any one to believe you have recognized her who exposes herself to everything for the sake of seeing you but for an instant ?
 No signature.
 Don't go," said Athos. Between 6 and o'clock the road of Chaillot is quite deserted. It is snare" But suppose we all go" said DAT tagnan. 'They won't devour us all four-four lackeys, horses, arms and allr
 "But if it is a woman that writes, " said Aramis, ''and that woman desires not to be seen remember you compro- mise her, D'Artagnan, which is not be having like gentleman"
 You will remain in the background, and will advance alone"
 "Let us make the trip," said Aramis. | "As you please" said Athos.
 Gentlemen" said D'Artagnan, 'ft is half past 4, and we have scarcely time l to be on the road of 'Chaillot by G."
 "But this second letter." said Athos
 You forget that"
 Well" said D'Artagnan, ''let us see l gentlemen, what are his eninence's commands" and he unsealed the letter and read:
 M. dArtasnan of the Kings guards
 company Dessessart, is expected at the l Palais Cardinal this evening at o'clock l LA HOUDENIERE | Captain of the Guards
 "Whewr said Athos Heres ren dezvous much more serious than th 1 other"
 sI will go to the second after attend
 ing the first" said D'Artagnan. "On l is for o'clock and the other for ] there will be time for both" "Yes. But the Bastille?" said Ara
 @ts