The Pioche record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1908-1925, 1921-11-25
q a IL for one; and one for

This was the oath Of the
four comrades: Of dArtagnan. the
young guardsman, and Of Athos, Por-
thos and Aramis, the Three Mus
keteers.
Only three months had d'Artagnan
been in Paris, yet already he was the
chosen companion of the noblest three
in NJ. de Treville's picked company of
musketeers, In the service of Louis
XIII. A true Gascon. fiercely proud,
ready to fight at a word, the eighteen
year-old provincial lad had won the re-
spect of the glorious three by challeng-
ing them, and their friendship by help
ing them to drive of the cardinals
guards who would have arrested them
for dueling. Indeed, this latter ex-
plot had won for d'Artagnan more
than glance from the king himself.
who was not displeased to see Richie
lieu's men worsted by his own.
At Meung, even before reaching
Paris, d'Artagnan had had an honor
able encounter, his adversary being
tall. commanding stranger of Divine
complexion and SCARED on the cheek.
A beautiful woman had accompanied
this man. Both their faces were
stamped on d'Artagnan's memory.
Before he could be admitted to the
musketeers, d'Artagnan was to serve
probation as guardsman; but already
he was musketeer in spirit and his
comrades longed as keenly as he for
the day when he would be allowed to
join their company. Athos, Porthos
and Aramis were alike only in soldier
ly qualities. Athos was Of noble bear
ing. and when he was drunk, he woult
talk Of a secret sorrow; Porthos wa
great lover Of ladies', and declare,
that his conquests would bring hi
downfall; Aramis, who had friends il
the church and a sweetheart at court
pretended that he was only temperate
musketeer, and Would willingl
change his plumed hat for a monk
eowl when the time came.
One day d'Artagnan's landlord, Boz
ancieux. burst into the room with new
that Madame Bonancieux, a prett
seamstress in the service Of the queel
had just been abducted. From til
landlords description d'Artagnan re
ognized the abductor as his man (
Meung, and was anxious to help, tn
: more SO when he learned that the ol
5ect of the abduction was TO force II
lady to tell what she knew of the 10,
affair between the queen and Geor,
Villiers. Duke of Buckingham, WI
was coming secretly to Paris.
1t was in their resolve to prote
Madame Bonancieux, for whom the In
questionable d'Artgnan had sudden
conceived an undying affection, tn,
the four comrades came together
their oath.
Remember" said Aramis, "henc
forth We are at issue with the Ca
dinal."
Aided by d'Artagnan, who f,ught {
the Cardinals officers, the lady co
trived TO escape. He declared his To-
for her. but she would promise not
Ing. Next time he saw her she W
conducting the Duke Of Buckingha
disguised as musketeer, toward t
royal palace. If d'Artagnan had +
lowed he wOpld have learned that t
queen did indeed love Buckingham,
was loyal to the king. AS token s
gave Buckingham twelve diamo
studs the king had given her.
A spy reported this to Richeli,
who saw In 1t an opportunity to alta
the king. the queen and the duke
at once. First Richelieu asked I
king to give ballet for the queen a
to ask her to wear the diamond stu
and thfn he Sent a message to La
de Winter in London, telling her
steal two Of the studs from Buckil
ham. Learning Of this plot throu
MadGine Bonahcieux. dArtagnan
solved to serve both his lady and
queen by recovering the jewels.
London the four comrades set o
Beset by the Cardinals men on I
road. three were wounded, ana q