New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-03-26

nurse raises an alarm, and peasants break
in from tie outside Blue Beard, relcas-
ing Ariane. draws lis sword but she
calmly approaches the crowd. What
would you?" she asks them: he has not
done me any Ill.," Tho peasants retire;
Ariane closes The door quietly and the cur
tain falls. leaving Blue Beard with down
cast ewes gazing ~ his sword point.
A vast subterrsnean hall in almost total
darkness is disclosed at the rising of the
curtain I'm the second act Ariane and the
nurse the latter carrying 1ickering lamp,
have entered 10 explore its mystery. Hnd-
died together. 10 Arianes great JOY, they
find the five missing wives. She covers
them with tender oaresses and seeks to
awaken them one after another from their
semi-torpor- Selvsette. Melisande. Bellan-
gcrc. Ngraue and Allsd'ne, the silent one.
To them Arisno comes as heayensent
being She makes them confess TO her
their hopeless. helpless inaction
Tho lamp going ont betrays faint rsy
Of light from tho outer world. The i'm
rrisoncd wives have seen IT before. but IT
has been no inspiration. no suggestion OF
hope. TO them To Arianc II means every
thing She discovers the crcvicc through
which it comes. She finds grimy pane OF
glass in the wall. Breaking it, 10 the
amazomcnt Of her sisters. lets in more
light. This is but the beginning: for soon
she finds that this is only part Of a large
window blackened with pitch. Her en-
thusasm inspires the others so that they
aid her in breaking down the barrier which
shuts them I'm from the world OF light and
beauty. whercupon she leads them forth.
singing. into the noonide glory.
The third act brings us back to the same
scene as the frst-thc hall in Blue Beard $
castle No one knows where Blue Beard
has gone, hut. though liberated from the
dungeon the wives cannot escape beyond
the castle walls. Yet. We are happy,
cxclaims Selysette. embracing Arianc' and
still because you tarry with us, free.
Then. taking her Ave companions, one after
another. she discloses to each her own
peculiar and personal charm and explains
10 her how 10 make the most Of II. She
makes Mclisandc feel tho beauty Of her
long tresscs; makes Seysetto realize the
graceful contour of her arms; Ygrainc. the
loneliness Of her throat and shoulders.
"n1v sisters" she oxclaims. lin truth ! do
AS nc should have loved. or that he coveted
a hundred, vet possessed no woman
Suddenly the news comes that Blue Beard
is returning. Terror strikes all except
Ariane. They rush to the window and
there describe tho scene without fsht
IL in progress between the peasants and
Blue Boards retainers. The latter fee from
him and leave him 10 tho rage Of his
assailants. who bind him and demand the
opening OF the doors that he may he
brought in The other wives become more
terrified az the demonstration of the angry
peasants than they were at the thought or
Blue Boards return. but Ariane cooly
unbars the doors 10 the mob. The peasants
have brought the Monster, expecting 10
have his marital victims gladly order his
death.
1--WE shall avenge ourselves. Ariane
quietly assures them. and tr"sI 'ctire In
awe. With her gentle though majestic
m,en she closes the door, turns and sees
the five other women on their knees at the
end Of the hall. She Al once approaches
Blue Beard. examines his wounds and pre-
Mares 10 dress them. while the other women
one hv one draw nigh and silently gather
round. Their feminine sympathy for Blue
Beard-a Monster. maybe. but is he not
their Monster?-at once asserts itself, and
under Arlanc's direction they seek to as
suage his suffering. shiver OF horror
masses over the others when Ariane finally
calls for a dagger. Is she going 10 stab
him? No; she simply cuts the cords that
hold him captive.
Blue Beard rises to sitting posture. lie
looks around at each woman IN silence
Arianc, approaching him. says "Goodby'
nd Kisses him on the brow. He would de-
,aip bor. but she frees herself gently ana
moves toward the door. She is going far
away" she says. down yonder where
am awaited still." She offers 10 lead each
NJ the others with her, but, one after an
other. with moro or less hesitation de-
clnos. Arisno departs TO tho freedom
which her sisters refuse. a. the curtain