The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1916-08-04
A Hero of
ManyHeartS
He Was Finally Tied Down
to One.
By SADIE OLCOTT

"uiSS 0lSuOuA VI IdFlS was mem
Der of that nobility which before the
great revolution lorded it over France
but which since that bouleversement,
under republic, simply is a shadow
OF Its former self. Jules was a count
by inheritance; but, having been
shorn Of everything except the title
he dropped that also and was known
simply as Jules Gignoux, the best fel.
| low In Partisan social life
| He possessed an evening suit that
was all he needed to maintain his po-
sition. though he must have had some
income, for he was nothing of a
sponge. 1t would be impossible to tell
whether he was more popular with the
men or with the women. He had
many affairs with the latter. but had
infinite tact in getting out of them all
without reproach.
When the European war broke
out Jules was one of the first to join
the coiors. He had only the military
training that is required of every
frenchman and tool his place in the
ranks with many OF his aristocratic
associates.
And here it is to be remarked that
whatever fault is to, be found with an
aristocracy war seems to bring out its
most redeeming feature. During our
own war on both sides what is called
the best blood in the land sprang to
arms. In the pan European war the
British aristocrat went to the front in
greater proportion than any other
class. In France all classes responded
for the very existence of the nation
was In danger. In Germany, where
every man is made a soldier, all re-
sponded.
war may have been natural to Jules
Gignoux, for his title was obtained by
an ancestor in the time of Charlie
magne. At any rate, he stepped forth
with alacrity. But Jules did not step
forth till he had b,dden adieu to the
several young ladie; who were in pos
session of his hear; at that particular
time. There were Mile. Nathalie De
sire, Mile. Louise Cherbutier and Mile.
Delphine de la Tour. These were the
principal ones, Though there were
others.
SenG me some memento of battle"
said Mile. Desire. If you are deco
rated" said Mile. Cherbutier, 81 claim
the honor of being The first woman to
Wear your decoration" Should yon
be wounded" said Mile. de la Tour,
give me the bullet that made the
wound. will wear it suspended over
my heart"
Jules promised as asked in all these
cases except in the matter of the dec
grafton, for he modestly declared that
he had no expectation of a decoration.
Then, after vowing eternal constancy
TO each and every one of these young
ladies'. he tore himself away and was
soon On train with his regiment hur.
rying toward the Belgian line.
1t happened that Jules Gignoux was
to keep every one of the prom
ses he had made. A fragment of
she'll struck the metal clasp of his belt
and fell at his, feet. Picking up the
fragment, he put it in his pocket to
send to Mile Desire. He received a
bullet in his side. 1t was cut out by
surgeon. Jules asked for 1t and kept
t for Mile. dc la Tour. Finally, when
IN attack was made on the enemys
trenches, Jules was the first man to
gain them. When half n dozen men
stood In line to receive crosses at the
hands of General Joffre, Jules was
)ne of them
well, now" said Jules to himself,
what n lucky dog / am! | never
lreamed that l would have a decora.
Ion for my dearest Louise. The god
II war has showered favors upon me-"
II Jules had been In the Turkish in.
stead of the French army his rejoic-
ng would have been in order. for he
night have married all three of the
recipients of his fayors. Being a
'renchman, it would have been better
or him If he had obtained a token
or only one of them. Though Jules
vas a brave man in face of an enc
ny, morally he was something of a
coward. He saw no reason why he
mould not give each and every one
II the three girls the memento she
oveted. not saying anything about
he favor granted the others. The
iris were members of the upper So
ial world of Paris and were liable to
meet one another. Suppose they did
aeet? Suppose they compared notes?
lad not Jules extricated himself from
worse complications than this?
Jules did not get back to Paris for
ONE time after he had gathered in
II these treasures for his three best
iris. He was wounded a second
ime. being very nearly killed. and
fter being discharged from the hos
ital he was given long leave, for
was not considered by the surgeons
hat he would be fit for service again
many months. If at all. He return.
d to Paris and showed himself in the
lois de Boulogne I'm carriage. one
rm In a sling and pair of crutches
rotruding from the window.
Paris had changed as much from
le Paris to which he had been nc.
nstomed as war had changed since
he Franco-Prussian war Each one
Jules three sweethearts was in n
ospital taking care of wounded sol
Iers. Nevertheless the heroism ba