The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-07-06
THE THREE GUARDSMEN
By ALEXANDRA DUMAS

these matters said the abbess, ''but one of our pensioners has suffered much from the vengeance and persecu- tion of M. le Cardinal. Imprisonment, menaces, i'll treatment-she has suffer ed everything. But, after all, M. le Cardinal has, perhaps, plausible mo- tives for acting thus"
 "Goody' said faifady to herself. "Who knows? I am about, perhaps, to dis cover something herev
 .'M. le Cardinal does not always pur- sue crimes said she. There are cer- tain virtues that he pursues more sez verely than certain offenses.'
 Permit me, madame, to express my surprise" said the sbbess. Xou don't speak we'll of the cardinal"
 That is because am not his friend said she, signing, but his victim!"
 "Well, but this letter.
 ..Is an order for me to condne my self to a sort of prison, from which he will release me by one of his satel- lites."
 But why have you not fed?'
 ''Whither should go? Do you be- lieve there is a spot on the earth which the cardinal cannot reach? This young pensioner of yours, has she endeavored to lHy?"
 "No; she is detained in France by some love affair
 ''Ah,'. said milady, with sigh, eff she is in love she is not altogether wretched."
 ."Then," said the abbess, looking at her with increasing interest. T behold another poor persecuted woman? You are not an enemy of our holy faith ,"
 .Who-I?" cried milady-''I Prot estant! Oh, no! am a fervent Cath olic.."
 "Then. madame" said the abbess, smiling, ''be reassured We will do all in our power to make you in love with your captivity. You will find here. moreover, the young woman of whom spoke. She is amiable and well be- haved.p e.
 seWhat is her name?
 "She was sent to me by some one of high rank, under the name of Kitty. I have not endeavored to discover her other nan1e.''
 s'Kitty!'' cried milady to herself. To the abbess she said:
 "And when can I see this young lady?'
 .'Why, this evening" said the ab- bess; today even. But you have been travelling these four days, as you told me. This morning you rose at o'clock. You must stand in need of repose. Go to bed and sleep. At din- , ner time we will call you" Milady was awakened by soft voice which sounded at the foot of her bed She opened her eyes and saw the al1. boss, accompanied by young woman. Her face was entirely unknown to milady.
 The abbess introduced them to each other Then. as her duties called her, she left the two young women alone.
 The novice sat down.
 "How unfortunate I amp said she. 'tYour presence was likely to afford me delightful company, and expect, ac- cording to all probability, from one moment to another to leave the con- vent"
 q think I learned you had suffered prosecutions from the cardinal" con- tinued milady.
 What have heard, then from our good mother Is true-you have likewiss been a victim of that wicked priestT
 'Hush!'' said milady. Let us not even here speak thus of him.
 But you, madame, you appear to be free, and if you were inclined to fly it only rests with yourself to do so."
 "Whither would you have me go, without friends, without money, in \ part of France with which am unac- quainted? am alone or being perse- cuted."
 T have powerful friends, who, after having exerted themselves on my ac- count, may also exert themselves for you.."'.
 "0b. when I said I was alone" said