Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1889-08-01
BLUE BEARD.
BY CLARA MERWIN.

DLUL ULAllUs
By CLARA MERWIN.
"And how do you like Lenora's be.
trothed husband?" asked Mrs. Jones,
in q whisper, of Aunt Crump.
'Oh DEAR. replied Aunt Crump, 81
don't like him at all; he put me in
mind of Blue Beard"
Dear me-" cried Mrs. Jones, with 9
start, what strange things you do say,
Lucretia. Blue Beard"
''Yes, give you my word that as
soon as saw him 1 thought of that
dreadful person that poor Fatima mar.
ried, said Aunt Lucretia Crump. His
beard is Just the tint. l never thought
Blue Boards beard was light, but a
kind of dark, invisible blue, you know,
and the dye DIR. Turk uses has really a
blue shine. You needn't pretend you
don't know he dyes, Imogene."
Il haven't pretended" said Mrs.
Jones; Il haven't said word about it,
Lucretix; and if a gentleman of AZ
should find few gray hairs in his hair
why shouldn't he color 'em? Is il
any worse than frizzes?"
Perhaps not" said Miss Crump
''but it's the likeness to Blue Beard
We were speaking of. There's an air OF
mystery about the mana dreadful air
Of mystery in my opinion; and, OF
course, he's q widower."
well, ye-e-es," reluctantly assented
Mrs. Jones.
"One or two?' asked Miss Crump.
Il really don't understand you," said
Mrs. Jones, with asperity.
81 mean how often has he been mar
ried before 2" asked the aunt.
well, twice; but the unions were
very brief" said Mrs. Jones.
mo doubt" said Miss Crump; 'sno
doubt. Did you ask him what they
died OFF,"
'Of course not, }" said Mrs. Jones.
81 should if I'd been Lenora's ma, "
said Miss Crump. But people are SO
glad to marry their girls off that they
don't care to whom they give them.
No, sister, since you ask, 1 don't like
Blue Beard mean DIR. Turk. It's
all the same.
Il do, said Mrs. Jones; "a most gen.
uemanly person; and 1 must say 1
think you are absurdly prejudiced in
this case, Lucretia."
'We shall see," said Miss Crump.
Thine will prove; but I'd like
TO know how those first poor dears
died before 1 gave my daughter
to him, if I had one, Imogene.
However, Lenora is not mine but
yours. Send her to make the third
Of Blue Boards victims, if you choose"
How very ridiculous" said Mrs.
Jones; but she felt little uncomfort-
able. She had great deal of respect
for Lucretia's powers of penetration,
and DIR. Turk had come from some dis
sant place, and very recently, and he
wore the wedding rings of two deceased
wives on his little finger, though he
certainly was not much past 40. How
ever, he had taken an excellent position
IS q medical man. He had fine rooms
in the college building. He must have
means. He told her that he was not de-
pendent on his profession for money.
Had he not offered Lenora every elegant
attention? Did he not hope that she
would reside with them after their I'M
ion, and should she let Lucretia's words
influence her? No, of course not.
Still Mrs. Jones could not feel quite
comfortable, and when DR.. Turk called
that evening she felt guilty as she
remembered the doubts that had been
troubling her all that afternoon, and all
that Miss Crump had said.
There is to be very interesting lee
ture at tie college tomorrow after
aoon," said DIR. Turk, as he arose to
lake his departure. May l hope to
see you all there? If you will walk
over about 2 o'clock l shall be able to
ind you excellent seats. cannot leave
1t that hour or would do myself the
pleasure of coming for you"
I'VE can come by ourselves very we'll.
indeed" said Mrs Jones. Sister Luz
sretia will be delighted, I know. She
likes lectures.
And SO it was settled before Lenora
slipped out of the room for those few
goodbye moments that are so dear to
lovers.
is he not polite, Lucretia," she
whispered.
Il believe Blue Beard was very at
tentive to his mother-in-law before the
marriage, said Miss Crump; but she
went to the lecture next day. notwith-
standing. The ladies were very early,
and DIR. Turk, having greeted them, es-
sorted them to his own parlor, pretty
room, full of book leases and cabinets.
Perhaps you can pass half an hour
pleasantly here" he said. Il must beg
70 be excused for that length of time.
These cases contain some minerals and
curiosities rather worth looking
1t, and there are some books
hat are of value and interest, 1 will
give you my keys. He took from his
pocket q ring, and began to detach from
it one particular key-a large brass
one. Then, Il shall lose it if take it
off, he said. ladies, open every
thing you care to look at except this
door'-he pointed to one set in little
recess; ''this brass key opens that, and
it is best for you that it should remain
closed. Otherwise do as you please"
He bowed and departed, leaving the
keys in Lenora's hands, while Mrs.
Jones stared at Aunt Lucretia, who,
with uplifted hands, whispered. blue
Beard"
"What does aunt mean, mamma?-
said Lenora.
''Oh, You know your aunt, said Mrs.
Jones. ''She pretends to think dear
DR.. Turk exactly like Blue Beard"
"Isn't he?" asked Lucretia, in a
dreadful whisper; land now locked
door that We must not open. Oh, my
love-my love-let me warn you.
There's an awful mystery in DR..
Turks life. How did his first wives
die? How do you know what may be
in that closet which he forbids you to
open?"
Gracious, aunt, have You gone mad
A