Evening star., 1938-01-02

lcIl Vi OuI Hltlc eSldlc, IltIt, SnOulO remain
intact in the event of my husbands DEATH"
She shrugged her shoulders.
Rene meant we'll. Although l bitterly
opposed this project, he insisted upon it. Later
without consulting Marcelle, all the necessary
legal formalities were complied with, the
entire transaction completed, while she was
still away at school Whenit became necessary
for me to tell her, she rebelled violently. But
her father remained adamant, pointing out
that she was much too young to know her
own mind, and forbiddng her to discuss the
subject again until he should see fit to reopen
it" She smiled again, this time rather sadly.
He was that kind of man," she added.
''MarCele was seventeen at the time of his
death. and at their last interview he forced
promise from her to carry out his wishes.
When you meet her - which hope you will
do - you will appreciate what this promise
has cost her. She celebrated her eighteenth
birthday six months ago, and the idea of
marriage to the man selected for her by
Rene becomes more dstasteful every day."
She paused for moment looking at each
of us in turn as if considering whether she
she continued would be funny if it were not
tragic. 1t may surprise you to learn that, at
the moment, you have stepped straight into
the pages of fairy tale"
1T does not surprise me in the slightest,
dear Madame" de Treville assured her. Il
rarely proceed mile from Piccadilly without
doing so.
Madame Vascelles smiled in puzzled way,
not fully understanding his meaning, and then
went on. Three young men, of whom her
Cousin Etienne (f1e is deeply devoted to herr
was the leading spirit, formed themselves into
sort of romantic society. pledged to deliver
the princess from the ogre! was powerless to
prevent this mad enterprise, and only learned
of it after the first attempt of the three
musketeers to carry out their self-imposed
task. They called themselves Athos, Porthos
and Aramis, and they drew lots, it being the
winners duty to challenge the ogre or so
grossly to offend him that he would be COM
PEELED to fight!'
Good heavens" muttered.
"The first boy - he was the Aramis of the
party-was severely wounded. which enlisted
his great friend, another admirer of my
daughter. He joined the organization with the
title of D'Artagnan! l need not say that
Marcelle has remained throughout in ignor-
ance of all this. At short intervals throughout
the past six months, three more duels have
taken place. One poor fellow nearly died of his
injuries. In May there was fifth recruit to
the ranks of the musketeers. He was given the
title of de Treville I"
The rest, Madame, is obvious" said
Trevvy.
my nephew, the Athos of the musketeers.
was severely wounded rather more than
week ago, and the bearer of the title de
Treville, who was in England, was summoned
to return The date fixed for the marriage is
only month away. The fifth musketeer was
expected today. The Marquis was in Paris and
so to Paris de Treville' was to 60. But
received news this morning that my daughter,
who had been staying at her uncle's house
there, had left secretly and was on her way
here, accompanied by my nephew! 1t is Ger
tain that the Marquis will follow. Therefore,
an attempt was made to intercept de
Treville'"