The Meeker herald., 1921-01-15
lie MousQuE7AIRE
sy As,srA I. FISHER.

II was very evident that the three
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 Chicago.s
fashionable hotels was that they ap-
peared to be. just little more fash.
ionnbie and Just q little more richly
dressed. IAN unusually pretty girl.
with her father and mother" would,
have been the thought Of q casual OBJ
server.
. Casual observers were scarce In that
hotel corridor. however. There was q
tall figure In n gray uniform standing
near the door. presumably m attend
ant The girls father handed the
light wraps Of the ladies to the man In
uniform and the three passed into the
reception room.
He who was presumably an attend
ant" murmsred surprised THANK
you" to the man just. disappearing
through the door. and then regarded
the armful of wraps with a delighted
smile. Curious actions on the part Of
an attendant! But II the gentleman
who had SO trustingly donated two ex-
expensive wraps to q pres,imabie at.
tendant had been a trife less near
sighted. or his companions a trife
more observant. a medal of the Legion
Of Honor which the attendant wore
might have established the Identity Of
his calling a little differently. Further
Investigation would have proved him
to he colonel in the French army and
Of q very pleasing appearance. This
colonel. after entertaining himself with
many broad grins. observed to the
large marble clock over the door:
-Jean. my son. you have an adven-
ture! Ny boy. you will guard these
pretty things very carefully. and when
the generous Americans return. per-
haps. II you are very polite, you will
receive a tip" And smile being In
suficient. the young Frenchman gave
vent to q hearty laugh. He stopped
suddenly and muttered to himself:
THAT girl was very much like I
wonder !"
He was turning the gentleman's hat
/ In his hand. and his eyes CHANGING to
light upon the name Of the owner
printed on the band. he uttered nm
exclamation.
The renl attendant appeared mo-
,nent later. He was made acquainted
with the situation. which delighted
him as much rs It had his companion.
Il was called to the Office for few
minutes" explained that grinning on
cial. We've Ind no guests for the
las, hour and thought could risk
q moment or two"
"Aierci. mon ami" responded the
young Frenchman. you have done me
q great service!"
| For the next haIf.hour he lounged
about the corridor.
When Eleanor Howard and her
parents entered the corridor preparn-
tory to leaving. they were assisted In
putting on their wraps by the same
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 a slip of paper she had
misinid. she discovered card in O".,
Of the pockets Of her wrap. on one stN~
Of which was printed:
| M. lie Colonel Jean ReIllard. Rue
Rationale, Paris. at 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 a certain colonel
who used to sing lie Mousquetaire'?'
Eleanor. at first dumfounled. then
struck with the humor Of the situa-
ton. laughed Historically. Then she
grew thoughtful. and drawing some
paper toward her she wrote:
II assure you there Is no one more
worthy Of our trust. The singer OF
La Mousquctaire' is not forgotten"
She addressed It to Col. Jean ReIllard.
the Stafford hotel. and mailed II
thoughtfuIly.
That afternoon Colonel Reillard en-
tertained Miss Eleanor Howard with
stories Of bravery. Of death. Of cour-
ngeous mems deeds In the great war.
But the one that Interested them both
the most was something like this:
"AiademOiselie. don't you remember
the French officer that was nursed
back to health by one whose image has
lived In his memory ever since, whose
memory has never left his heart? Do
you not recall how that officer used
to refuse to be attended by anyone hut
yourself, and TINT when you did come.
.-,lAN A.,il L..
ferings. do you remember TINT he used
to tell you how beautiful were your
eyesl This officer has carried a great
love for you In his heart from that
time. He came to America week
ago. to seek you out and ask you to
become his wife. VIII you not tell
him that he does not hope In vaIn?"
The story ended there, one reason