Telegram-herald., 1889-11-07

Mrs. Jones. VIII start. What strange
things you 90 say. Lueretia Blue Beard =
Yes, upon nv word son As he
came wishin sixht i thought ~ that
dreadful person that poor fauma mar
RED said Aunt Lucretla Cr4mp. HIS
beard Is Just the TINT never thought
Blue Beard beard was lghr. bat kind
u dzrk invisible blue, y0u know and the
dye Dr. YuTk uses has really q blue
same. You needn't pretend you don't
know DO dyes.
i haven't pretended. said Mrs Jones
4 haven't said q word about it, Lacre-
ia and Il a gentleman ~ 40 should md
lev gray hairs in his hair why shouldn't
Dc color 'ems l. IL any worse than
frizzesf"
Perhaps not said Miss Crump; but
its the likeness 70 Blue Beard ~ were
speaking or There's an air q mystery
about the mana dreadful air u mystery
IN my opinion. aud. OF course, he's
widOwer"
We'll. ye-e-es. reluctantly assented
Mrs Jones.
lone or two7" asked Miss Lucretia.
4 really don't understand you. said
Mrs Jones. with asperity.
Il mean how often has he been mar
ried beforef' asked the aunt
well, twice bat the unions We're very
brief. said Mrs. Jones.
"No doubt" said Miss Crump. did
you ask him what they died OFF,
''Of course not. said Mrs. Jones.
Il should Ii Ia been LenOras ms"
said Miss Crump But people are so
glad 70 marry their girls OF, that they
don't care % whom they give them. No,
sister, since you ask. l don't ike Blue
Beard mean Dr. Yurk-at all.
Il do, said Mrs. Jones' "a most gen
tlemanly person; and must say | think
you are absurdly preludiced in this case,
Lucretia."
I'VE shall see" said Miss Crump.
Time will prove. but Ia ike to know
how those first poor dears died before /
gave my daughter TO him, If j had one.
However, Lenora is not mine, but yours,
Send her 10 make the third Of Blue
Boards victims II you choose
How very Ridiculous" said Mrs.
Jones but she felt little uncomfort-
able. She had great deal of respect for
Lucretias powers of penetration and DR..
Yurk had come from some distant place,
very recently. and he wore the wedding
rings Of two deceased wives on his little
finger, though he certainly was not much
past forty. However, he had taken an
excellent position as a medical man. He
had fine rooms in the college building.
He must have means. He had told her
that he was not dependent on his profess
sion for money. Had he not offered
Lenora every elegant attention. Did he
not hope that she would reside with them
after their union, and should she let Lu-
cretia's words influence her? No, of
course not. Still Mrs. Jones could not
feel quite comfortable, and when DR..
Yurk called that evening she felt guilty
as she remembered the doubts thad had
been troubling her all that afternoon, and
all that Miss Crump had said.
There is to be very interesting lee
ture at the college tomorrow afternoon"
said DR.. Turk, as he arose 20 take his de-
parture. May hope to see you all
therel n you VIII walk over about two
| o'clock, shall be able to find you excel
| lent seats. cannot leave at that hour,
or 1 would DO myself the pleasure OF
coming for you
"We can come by ourselves very well,
indeed" said Mrs. Jones. "Sister Lu-
cretia will be delighted, I know. She
| likes lectures"
| And so 1t was settled before Lenora
slipped out of the room for those few
good by moments that are so dear to
| lovers.
"Is he not polite, Lucretia?" she whis-
| pered.
s"I believe Blue Beard was very at
| tantive DO his mOther-in-law before mar
riage," said Miss Crump; but she went
to the lecture next day, Notwithstanding.
The ladies were very early. and DR..
Yurk, having greeted them, escorted
them 60 his own parlOr, pretty room,
| full OF bookcases and cabinets. " Perhaps
you can pass half an hour pleasantly
| here" ne said. "I must beg TO be ex-
| cused for that length of time. These
cases contain some minerals and curosi-
ties, rather worth looking at, and there
are some books that are Of value and in
terest l will give you my keys"
He took from his pocket ring. and be-
| gan to detach from il one particular key
! a large brass one. Them shall lose
| it If l tako it off, he said. Ladies', open
everything you care 10 look at except
this door S-he pointed 70 one set in a
| little recess; this brass key opens that,
and It is best for you that it should re-
main closed Otherwise do as you please" 4"
| He bowed and departed, leaving the keys
| in Lenora's hands, while Mrs. Jones
stared at Aunt Crump. who, with uplifted
/ hands, whispered : " Blue Beard.
What does aunt mean, mammar said
! Lenora.
ooh. you know your uant." said Mrs
/ Jones. She pretends 20 think dear DR..
/ Yurk exactly ike Blue Beard
isn't hcl' asked Lucretia. in a dread
/ ful whisper: "and now locked door
/ that We must not open Oh. my love
! let me warn you. There is an awful mys-
terry In DR.. Yurk life How did his first
wives die2 How DO you know what may
be IN that closet which he foTbids you 70
open7"
Gracious. aunt. you have gone mad at
last. " said Lenora.
eyes. certainly. said Mrs. Jones "and
20 prove II. III unlock the closet. III
show you that there is no mystery what
ever in It.
"You may find his two first, wives ia
/ pickle. said Aunt Lucretia.
"Oh. mamma r. cried Lenors. "the idea
Open a closet We were expressly re-
qiested not % open2 Not for worlds
And. aunt. wonder you are not ashamed
% speak 80 OF poor Dr. Yurks aflic-
ton.
II slwavs feel Suspicious ~ widovers.
anyhov. said Aunt Lncrst.a. "and this
door, which you mustn't open--
Which I wiA open. said Mrs J0nee.
.sTou shantf cried Len0ra.
How dare yos cay sha'nt 70 ma r
said Mrs. Jones. Is that respectful
Respectful or not mamma, cried
/ T.enora. I can e lot you de such thing
I YouU feel sorry tomorrow n YoH do.
'Open tbe door n you want proof Tat
there's mystery a. ths bottom d al
thls. cfied Aunt Lucretia
Mrs Jones brushed psTt hcr daughter
ard pus the brass Eey lotto the seyhoAe II
~ forhddeu door. LenorA burst Into