The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-06-24
THE THREE GUARDSMEN

S
 seunded on every side, and the drums were beaten fn all directions.
 In short, the ling had arrived at that moment with all has household and q re-enforcement of 1Aooo troops. Hi muslEstesrs preceded end followed him D'Artagnau, placed in line with his company, saluted with m expressive gesture Ais three friends.
 The ceremony of the arrival over tho four frienAs were soon together.
 You could net have arrived in bet ter time. The dinner cannot have had time to get cold, can 1t, gentlemen? P added D'Artasnan, turning to the twt suardA whom hs introduced to hil Intends.
 .-Is there any drinkable wine in you, tavern r asked Athss.
 There is your own Anjou wine, my dear friend. that you sent me-" replied
 'Did you send this wine, Aramis r said Athes.
 No; and you. Porthos7"
 'No..
 DfArtaenan grew pale, and . con vulsive t1emhllne shook all his limbs.
 @Hastesl Hasten, ny friendsr' cried D,Artaenan. ~A horrifge suspicioa crosses my min6 Can this b anothes vengeance on tho part of that wom an?' K D,Artagnan ru1hed toward the can teen, the three musketeer6 and the two guards following hin.
 The nrst object that met tho eyes od DArtasnan on entering was Brise mont, stretched upon the ground and dying in horrible convulsions. Plan chet and Fourreau, as pale a death were endeavoring to render him as sistance. U
 "Ahr' cried he on perceiving DAT tagnan, ''ah, this is trigktfuli You pretend to pardon me, and yeu poison meY'
 .Do not think 60, Brisemont," said UArtagnAn. T swear to you that the wine was poisoned and that I was % ing to drink of t as you did.
 T do not believe your cried tho sol dler. And he expired amid horrible tortures.
 sBrightful! Frightfulrv murmursd Athos. while Porthos broke the bot ties, and Aramis gave orders, a llttle too late, that a confessor should be sent for.
 .soh, my friends,v said UArtagnan '.you come once more to save my lifs not only mine, but that Of these gen demen. Gentienen," continued he addressing the guards, 'T request you will be silent with regard to this ad. venture. Great personages may have had a hand in what you have seen, and if talked about the evil would only reeoil upon us- Accept my ex. cuses, and put o6 the party till m. other day, beg of you"
 The two guards courteously accepted D'Artasnan's excuses and. perceiving that the four friends desired to. be alone, retired.
 The host gave thsm another cham Der and served them with fresh eggs and some water, which Athos went himseH to draw at the fountain. In q few words Porthos and Aramis were informed of past events.
 i'Do you really believe it is shs?'' edid Athos.
 .'I am sure of it.s'
 Nevertheless confess still doubt"
 But the fleur-de-lis on her shoul. derT'
 She Is some Englishwoman who has committed crime in France and has been branded in consequence.
 "Athos, she is your wife, tell you,'' repeated pArtagnan; ''only reflect how much your description agrees with mine.
 Tt is impossible to remain thus, with sword hanging eternally over ones head,'' said Athos. we must enamel pate ourselves from this position. You must try to have an interview with her and enter into an explanation with her. Say to her: Peace or war, my word of honor of gentleman never to say anything of you. never to do anything against you-on your side a solemn oath to .remAin neuter with re- spect to me. If not I will apply to the chancellor, I will apply to the king, I will apply to the hangman, I will move the courts against you, I will de nounce you as branded, will bring you to trial, and If you are acquitted we'll, by the honor of gentleman l will kill you at the corner of some wall as I would mad dog"
 q like the means well enough" said D'Artagnan, "but she"-
 What sheY' asked Athos.
 ssCOnstance."
 Mime. BOnacieux! An, that's truer' said Athos. My poor friend, had forgotten you were in love-"
 "Well, but" said Aramis, s'have you not learned by the letter you found on the assassin that she is in convent7 She may be very comfortable in . convent"
 Well. as soon as the siege E over