The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-05-21
THE THREE GUARDSMEN
By ALEXANDRA DUMAS

, doubt, had placed his foot upon 1t, and it appeared a favorable opportunity to repair his intrusion. He stopped and with the most gracious air he could as- sume drew the handkerchief from un- der the foot of the musketeer in spite of the efforts the latter made to detain it and, holding it out to him, said: s'I believe, monsieur, that this is a handkerchief you would be sorry to lose"
 The handkerchief was, in fact, richly embroidered and had a coronet and arms at one of it's corners. Aramis blushed excessively and snatched rath- CT ethan took the handkerchief from D'Artagnan's hand.
 "Ah, ah,'' cried one of the guards, twill you persist in saying, most dis erect Aramis, that you are not on good terms with Mme. de Bois-Tracy when that gracious lady has the kindness to lend you her handkerchiefY' r
 Aramis darted at D'Artagnan one of those looks which inform man that he has acquired mortal enemy, then resumed his mild air.
 'sYou are deceived, gentlemen" said he This handkerchief is not mine, and cannot fancy why monsieur has talk en 1t into his head to offer 1t to me rather than to one of you, and, as a proof of what say, here is mine in my pocket"
 One of the friends of Aramis was not convinced by his assertion and said with affected seriousness:
 eff it were as you pretend it is,"' said he. .I should be forced, my dear Aramis, to reclaim 1t myself. for. as you very. well know. Bois-Tracy is an intimate friend of mine, and cannot allow the property of his wife to be sported as trophy"
 "But, my dear intimate friend of Bois-Tracy, am not less tenderly, his friend than you can possibly be, so that decidedly this handkerchief is as nkely to have fallen from your pocket as mine," said Aramis.
 ssNo, upon my honor!' cried his maj. esty's guard.
 The young men burst into a loud laugh. and, after having cordially shaken hands, separated. E
 sNow is my time to make my peace with this gentleman" said D'Arta- gnan to himself, having stood on one side during the whole of the latter part of the conversation.
 Monsieur" said he, lyon will ex- cuse me, hope" @
 "Ah, mOnsieur," interrupted Aramis, permit me to observe to you that you have not acted in this affair as a man, of good breeding ought to have done. Why did you 60 injudiciously restore me the handkerchief? Here is a lady compromised by you.''
 why did you 90 awkwardly let it fall!'
 @I have said, monsieur, that the handkerchief did not fall from my pocket"
 'well. and by saying SO you have lied twice. monsieur, for l saw it fall"
 "Oh, oh! You take it up in that way. do you, Master Gascon? We'll, will teach you how to behave yourself"
 And will send you back to your mass book, Master Abbe. Draw, if you please, and instantly''-
 Mot so, if you please, my good friend, not here at least. Do you not perceive that we are opposite the Ho- tel dArguillon, which is full of the cardinals creatures? I have no objec- ton to killing .you, depend upon that, but quietly, in snug remote place, where you will not be able to boast of your death to anybody. At 2 o'clock shall have the honor of expecting you at the hotel of M. de Treville. There will point out to you the best place and time" The two young men bowed and separated.
 D'Artagnan was acquainted with no- body in Paris. He went, therefore, to his appointment with Athos without a second, determined to be satisfied with those his adversary should choose.
 DArtagnan possessed that invincible stock of resolution which the counsels of his father had implanted in his heart-endure nothing from any one but the king, the cardinal and M. de Treville. He flew, then, rather than walked toward the convent. of the Car1nes Dechapaee&, or, rather, Des chaux. as it was called at that period, a sort of building without a window, surrcs2ded by barren fields.
 Athos, who still suffered grievously from his wound, though 1t had been dressed by M. de Treville's surgeon at 9, was seated on post and waiting for his adversary with that placid counte- nance and that noble air which never forsook him.
 Monsieur" said Athos. 'sI have en- gagged two of my friends as seconds, but these two friends are not yet come, at which am astonished, as it is not at all their custom to be behind hand"
 T have no seconds on my part, mon- sieur," said D'Artagnan, ''for, having only arrived yesterday in PaEis1 -asl