The Meeker herald., 1921-03-12
lie MoUsQuE1AIRE
BY AR,srA e. FISHER.

people who had just entered the corri-
dor Of the Stafford hotel were not Of
the ordinary wealthy class usually seen
there. The only thing which distIn-
guIshed them from the freQuenters OF
that most fashionable Of ChIcagos
fashionable hotels was that they ap-
peared TO be just a little more fash.
ionnble and just a little more richly
dressed. IAN unusually pretty girl.
with her father and mother" would
have been the thought Of casual OBJ
server.
Casual observers we're scarce In That
hotel corridor. however. There was Q
tall figure In gray uniform standing
near the door. presumably nm attend
ant. The girls father handed the
| light wraps OF the ladies' to the man In
uniform and the :hree passed Into the
reception room.
He who was presumably mn attend.
ant" murmured a surprised THANK
you" TO the mnn just disappearing
| through the door. and then regarded
the arinfuI Of wraps with delighted
smile. Curious actions on the part OF
an attendant! But II the gentleman
who Ind SO trustingly donated two ex-
expensive wraps to presumnhle at-
| iendnnt Ind been trile less near.
| sighted. or his companions trifIe
more observnnt. n mednl Of the Legion
OF Honor which the attendant wore
might have established the identity OF
| his calling a little differently. Further
t., lon ttrn
to he colonel In the French army nnd
of n very pleasing appearance. This
| colonel. after entertaining himself with
many brond grins. observed to the
lnrge marble clock over the door:
"Jenn. my son. you have mn adven-
ture. My boy. you will guard these
pretty things very carefully. and when
| the generous Americans return. per-
hnps. II you nre very polite. You will
receive n tip" And smile being In
sufficient. the young Frenchmnn gave
vent TO a hearty laugh. He stopped
suddenly and muttercd to himself:
"Thnt girl was very much like
wondcr!"
lie was turning the gentlemnn's hat
In his hand. and his eyes. CHANGING to
light upon the name Of the owner
printed on the band. he uttered an
exclamation.
The real attendant appeared a mo-
ment later. He was made acquainted
with the situation. which delighted
him rs much MS It had his companion.
81 was CHILLED to the office for few
minutes" explained that grinning Off.
cinl. We've mad no guests for the
last hour and I thought could risk
n moment or two"
"Aierci. mon ami" responded the
young Frenchmnn. you have done me
a grcnt servIce!"
For the next half-hour he lounged
about the corridor.
When Eleanor Howard and her
parents entered the corridor prepara-
! tory 10 leaving. they were assisted in
putting on their wraps by the snme
person who had taken them from Mr..
Howard. Then they left the hotel.
entered their car. and returned home.
The next day. when Eleanor was
searching for n slip Of paper she had
mislnId. she discovered n cnrd In ou
Of the pockets of her wrap. on one silva
of which was printed:
M. lie Colonel jean Rciliard. Rue
Rationale. Paris, Mt present the Stat
ford hotel"
On the other. written In pencil:
II thank you for trusting me with
your valuable property" and in very
fine writing:
"Do you remember n certain colonel
who used to sing lie MousquetnIre'?"
Eleanor. at first dumfounded. then
struck with the hurnor Of the situa-
ton. laughed Historically. Then she
grew thoughtful, md drawing some
paper toward her she wrote:
81 assure you there Is no one more
worthy Of our trust. The singer Of
La AousQuctnire' is not forgotten"
She addressed II to Col. Jean Relllnrd.
the Stafford hotel. and mailed II
thoughtfully.
That afternoon Colonel Rcillurd on.
tertnIned Miss Eleanor Howard with
stories of bravery. Of death. OF cour.
ageous mems deeds In the great war.
But the one thnt Interested them both
the most was something like this:
"Madcmoiselle. don't you remember
the French officer that was nlrsed
back TO health by one whose Image has
lived In his memory ever since, whose
memory Inns never left his heart? Do
you not recall how that officer used
to refuse to be attended by anyone hut
yourself. and that when you did come
| with your soft voice. to dull his suf.
ferings. do you remember TINT he used
| to tell you how beautiful were your
eyes? This officer has carried great
love for you in his heart from that
time. He came to America n week
| ago. to seek you out and nsk you to
become his wife. VIII you not tell
him TINT he does no, hope In vaIn?"
The story ended there. one reason