Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1904-07-30
Mrs. BIuebeard
By lola L. FOrresfer
Copyright. 1904. by T. c. Mcclure


the piano keys In a little impromptu
prelude of troublous chords before she
answered the query.
81 suppose it is" she said GROSSLY.
I'm sure l can't tell whether it's real
antique or not. 1t looks old and dusty
and is all covered with heavy carvings,
II you meant that sort of thing. Why,
Bess" = she turned to the questioner
with sudden energy-"I wouldn't have
thought thing about 1t II he had
shown 1t to me or even mentioned 1t.
He told me about everything else in
the house, and I'd never have known
a thing about this II hadn't told Nora
to clean out that catch ALL as she calls
1t, at the turn of the garnet stairs.
There is large windowless space over
the dining room wing. and 1t was in
there"
And locked" concluded Bess posi-
lively
Every drawer l asked Nora how
long II had been there. and she said
It had come with Bob's trunks from
home while we were on our honey
moon. I'm not bit curious She
paused.
"Of course not" assented Bess warm
~, "or suspicious"
"Only interested"
Bess nodded her head wisely over
the interested sigh.
"It is kind of mysterious Rob's not
telling you a word about 1t and hiding
II I'm there out of sight. and then the
fact Of 1t being locked shows that some
one didn't want 1t opened"
AS she gave her conclusive point Of
logic Bess rose. She was pretty and
petite. with a decisive tilt to her chin
blue eyes,
"Of course you'll do as you please.
Sue You always did. But II had
only been married n month and had
found locked desk in my house that
I knew nothing of I know what I'd
do"
Young Mrs. Sheldon left the piano
with an impatient movement. She was
tall and slender beside her sister. and
the indefinable charm of bride was
visible in her dainty negligee toilet of
white crepon
81 believe absolutely in Bob" she de-
clarcd.
Bess raised her eyebrows and smiled
mischlevOusly.
"Of course you do. 1t may be only
some old love letters or souvenirs that
he doesn't care to part with. Do you
remember Adelaide GiffordT'
"That was two years ago."
Bess laughed.
"Goodby, sis. Believe In Bob all you
want to. lies n dear and If 1t were
I I'd hunt locksmith all the same"
Mrs. Sheldon stood at the window
and watched the small. girlish figure
as 1t vanished down the street among
the fiuttering snowfiakes. 1t was dusk.
The room was unlighted as yet, and a
sudden sense of loneliness stole over
her In the semiglOOm, the first she had
experienced since the joyous wedding
Of month ago. II the affinity of
moods and colors were true, she was
In harmony with the soft violet gray of
the twilight tone that was stealing
over the world
New Years eve and Bob away. The
tears blinded her eyes. OF course 1t
was business. Merely a flying trip to
New York for the firm. made all the
more imperative by his neglect of bust
ness during the honeymoon, but she
al In, -
against even the separation Of few
days
And there was the locked desk.
Bess' words and arguments ran
swiftly through her mind. Come to
think. Bob had told her not to tire
herself out rummaging while he was
away. Rummaglng! That meant hunt
ing In the garnet and running the risk
of discovering the desk
And Bess had spoken of Adelaide
Clifford. There had been talk of a
summer engagement. she remembered.
Adelaide was older than Bob. Some
way. she had always blamed her for
as an impreSsionable youngster But II
he had cherished her letters and keep
snkes then lac must have loved her.
Adelaide was engaged To old Mr. Thur
sfon now. Copper Thurston. the boys
called him. Perhaps after all Bob had
been Jealous of the copper made mil
lions and had married her in n fit of
piquc.
She turned from the window with
sudden determination. II lacked half
an hour Of dinner time. 4 lonely din
ner for Il bride she thought. as she
went upstairs; Lcr first New Years eve.
Perhaps by tie time the midnight bells
rang oui Size might he making n few
strange resolutions for Tie coming year
Ii WAS dark IN the garnet stairs She
stopped nj the door of i;ob'S dressing
room and took II cundiestick from the
mantel. II WAS II wedding gift. n Jap
anesc bronZ" griffin with outspread
wings nild spiral. Sinuous tail.
AS she he'll il To the gas jet to light
the candle something fell on the rug ut
her feet. ana she picked il up. Ii was
small. old fashioned ordinary brass
Icy Sha lacked "a IL hnSifntiuuIr