Once there lived in a lovely castle a very rich man called Bluebeard.
A short distance off lived an old gentleman with two lovely
daughters, named Fatima and Annie. Bluebeard visited their house, and
at length proposed to Fatima, was accepted by her, and they were
married with great splendour. He took her home with him to his
castle, and permitted her sister Annie to reside with her for company
for a time.
She lived very happily in her new home, her new husband was very kind
to her, and allowed her to have everything she wished for, but one
day he suddenly told her that business called him away from home,
that he should be away some days, and handed her the keys to his
wardrobe, treasures, and all parts of the castle, he also gave her
one key of a small closet, and told her that she might unlock every
door in the castle, but not the closet door, for if she did so, she
should not live an hour longer. He then left home fondly kissing her
at the door.
Her sister and herself returned into the castle, and enjoyed
themselves in unlocking room after room, looking over the
curiosities, treasures, &c, until Annie became tired and lay down to
rest on a rich sofa, and fell asleep. Fatima, as soon as she saw that
her sister was asleep, felt a womanly curiosity, an irresistible
temptation to unlock the forbidden closet, and take a peep.
She tripped lightly up to the door, turned the key in the lock,
pushed the door open, and, oh! horror! there were five or six dead
ladies lying in the closet, with their marriage rings on their
fingers. She at once concluded that they were Bluebeard's previous
wives, she let the key drop in her fright into the blood on the
floor, she picked it up and attempted to wipe it, but the blood would
not come off. She awoke her sister, and they both tried, but they
could not get it off, and gave it up in despair.
Just then Bluebeard suddenly returned, and asked his wife if she
could please to hand him the keys. She trembling did so. He said "How
came the blood on the closet key? You have disobeyed me, and shall
die at once."
She begged a few minutes to say her prayers and just as he was going
to chop her head off, her two brothers arrived at the castle, burst
open the door, killed the cruel wretch, and rescued their sisters.
[Page 18--Girl Land]
[Illustration: Our three Little Belles.]