»
THE EIGENE WEEKLY GUARD, THURSDAY. JANAl RY 7. »90«
r
Ghe 'Devil
By FERENC MOLNAR.
<«J
cB
<•
Dramatized toy OLIVUt HUrOkD
Adapted toy JOSEPH O’BRIER
1909.
by
Hg.JT*y
euxPTER XI— (Continued.)
tal1 you
^■’oienii'i remedy for getting thin "
-*£>"
f get thin!” the port-
„.[.lie.! Indignantly aa she
•
i flWrtv from tUm.
u
Impntlonti.v for an op-
to «'iih.lraw With Millar
where she
1 ■ !”• told her
she «111 not dare tell
,-veiii
nad grown late.
I Karl ln l arrived liefore
“ mhl M"
'■
her KU,,sts
K,-' had tried to avoid a tete-a-tete
Jh Olea, and she took the first op-
■ introducing him to Elsa.
£ -ebelled in her soul now at the
ftnnrtt of their marriage, but her
X drove her to the fulfillment of her
-arpose to that extent at least But
J.
with a heart torn with jealousy
mat .he watched Karl and Elsa move
off together and turne.l to meet Millar,
»tanding beside her with his cynical,
«blister smile._______
CHAPTER XII.
LSA
L p A BEI
DU* G » was
"‘‘a «* n brilliant,
MiuuMMh
vivacious girl, rarely beautl-
-.’H. lively
It
/.WJW,
—
ful. . with
blue eyes.
HQ chestnut hair and a tall, slen-
der. willowy figure. The romance and
«eiteinent of her meeting with Karl
made her seem doubly beautiful, nnd
»he gladdened the nrtist In hi’-ri, but
be helplessly confessed to himself that
»he made no Impression on bls heart.
His thoughts were with Olga, and he
was abstracted, almost to the point of
rudeness, while Elsa tried to talk
with him.
-Who Is that terribly rude person
who seems to be frightening every
onf?" she asked.
"He? Oh. that Is Dr. Millar, a friend
of mine.” Karl replied.
"Pooh! I don't see why every one
seeius so afraid of him,” Elsa said,
with a note of challenge In her tone.
“1 think I shall meet him Just to see if
he will make me run.”
“No. no; don't go near him.” Karl
begged.
"And why not? Has he such a sharp
tongue or an evil mind? I can take
are of myself."
“I don’t really think you ought to
meet him,” Karl said, but he spoke
without conviction. He suddenly yield
ed to a curiosity to see what might
come of a meeting between Elsa and
Millar.
“I don't care; I’m going to hunt him
up.” she cried, jumping up and scam
pering off.
Millar had gone Into an anteroom
leading out Into the beautiful gardens.
A number of the company bad assem
bled there as he entered, nnd It was
obvious from t’ie Instant silence which
ensued that he had lieen the subject of
the.r discussion. This seemed to grat
ify his cynical humor, nnd lie looked
the assembled men and women, society
P’l’Pets. over with a cynical grin. Elsa
’as among them, nnd toward her Mil
lar hone«] ns lie said:
I never knew this number of ladles
corld tie eo silent. I presume during
®y absenc«’ you have b«>en «llscusslng
me kindly.”
B>e others did not speak, but Elsa
k' e-1 lioldly to Millar
"I),’"'t flatter yourself that 1 am
’■ id of yon," she said. "I would say
G
r f iv v.-li. t these people only
Indeed. 1 was just going
t" loos for rou."
■I >s just as well you are acre. They
ftigiir
vou ni)(j vour approach-
“I! betrothal with Knrl." Millar said.
u-you know!" Elsa cried in as
tonishment.
Bie others seemed tremendously In
vested at the Information Millar had
ri ,1
an<’ ^aa was embarrassed.
• Mev the design of her friend
ip In bringing her and Karl ti :ogeth-
1 ut she was not aware that lt was
*>wn to any one else Millar smiled
•*>1« replied;
wurse Tbfy would throw you
® ® his arms."
i
other» who overheard
fnri. M ,hl* "alIJr and Elsa blushed
went close to her and
E
Millar said, with
•iVy r "i0” k' (W my . n!cknam<
_____
“Oi T‘‘ . M,d ,h” girl warnlngly
w that your
-s-ki”’,/ u!:l
»t-
' ■
mannen embarrass
burM' ‘ ,'aid tnipatlently as Millar
before her. 'I bare se-
JAVAGt
lected you to deliver a most Impudent
message to that crowd In there be
cause you are so perfectly Impolite."
“I am entirely at your disposal, ma
demoiselle."
“How can I be impudent, though,
when you are so polite to me?” she
cried petulantly.
“Shall we end the conversation,
then?"
“Oh, no; not yet." Elsa cried, embar
rassed. Then she went on. with deter
mination. "When you came In here you
said I was (lie girl they were going to
throw Into Karl’s arms.”
“I did.”
"But you did not say that 1 am the
girl who permits herself to be thrown
into Karl’s arms. Am I right?"
“Yes.”
» “Please sit down.” Elsa went on.
recovering her self poise, which the
baffling politeness of Millar had dis-
turbed.
He declined the chair with a gesture,
but she Insisted.
“I feel much more commanding
when I stand, and I want every ad
vantage," she said. “I want to set
you right, and It will be much easier
when you sit down and I stand."
Smiling, Millar sat down and looked
up at her expectantly. Slightly con
fused. she went on:
"I don't want people making fun of
me before my face. I know every
thing. Do I make myself clear? You
"Peak to you alone. I will
“*** People sway. I>eave It to
awa^’ and there was a si
to »».i11
Tw,ni- The others began
sk.wJ J®2?mfr*table aa Miller looke«!
Cm» o- J001 <>n* to the other of them,
his
’ R*'*ypd conversation, and
w,r-*>l«nt replies sent them
®>ftaw< frnni ,b* yoom. In a few
to
" nr'lT he and Elsa remained
Emm the adjoining
Sr,.! the f,D)"
strains of music
liughtX
of Jsncing and bright
-X» . “U:,r 1
at Elsa.
-An> “*y are gone.” he said
t
nOt
’’rl”ed that I did not
** ro» v * * a;ked "Yon offended
'"-t I stayed because I
W.
I
were kind enough to mention the sub
ject and I shall delegate to you the
mission of explaining the true facta
to those dummies.”
She grew quite vehement and her
cheeks flushed. Millar looked at her
admiringly as he said:
“Y’our confidence does me great hon
or."
“As a rule, 1 don't take these people
seriously,” tfie girl hurried on. “I
have no more Interest in them or
their opinions than I have in last
week’s newspapers. But I want them
all to know that they have not fooled
me into marrying Karl. And you all
want me to marry him—you all want
to throw me Into his arms.”
“Pardon me”— Millar Interrupted.
But she went on unheeding:
“Don’t you think I can see through
your transparent schemes? But I'll
marry him just the same. If he'll have
me. Do you understand? I'll marry
him.”
“I do not think you will," Millar said
quietly.
“L tell you I am going to be Karl's
wife!” Elsa cried, with emphasis.
“Now that you have graced me with
your confidence." Millar said, rising.
“I feel that 1 may be quite frank with
you. This inarriage cannot take place."
lie pointe«! to the chair he had va
cated an«l smiled.
“Now, you sit down, because I am
going to set you right,” he said
Wonderingly, Elsa obeyed
Millar
called a servant who was passing and
said:
“You will find a small red leather
case in my overcoat pocket. Bring it
here.”
The servant went out, and he con
tinued to Elsa:
“I know the reason of this marriage,
but you—you don’t know the reason,
or”—
“Or what?”
“Or you don't want to know; hence
you are al>out to consent”
“Consent to what 7’ Elsa cried
“Don't beat around the bush. That is
what I am trying to avoid. I am about
to consent to become the wife of a
man who loves another woman, and.
what is more. 1 Intend to go on ay
honeymoon with a man who has an
other woman In his heart, who leaves
with this other woman everything be
should bring to his wife -love -yinra
thy. enthusiasm, everything. You see.
you did not knou i .
Millar was unmoved by her vehe
ment declaration. As the servant re-
entered their room and banded Lini a
small red leather case he •aid:
“I did not think this subject could
excite you to such a degT'*
“I don't want any on«> laughing at
me.” Elsa protested. ”1 want them all
to understand that 1 know quite "ell
the way I am going and that I go th t
way proudly, fully conscious of It;
that I know everything, and yet I
consent to be bis »ife
"Why7' Millar asked, opening bls
little satchel.
love him.’’
“Because—1 •••«•n a«'*
the girl answered >
Millar smiled "
from the «-.is ■ n «!
chief aixl I.'•! 1 it !'
“IMrvf- a i e; I al
me.” he said. “It Is my
In It is everything a worn 3
weeping.”
Elsa sobbe’i and da bl-cd at her eyes
with the handkerchief, not noticing
that the man
mon »•*■'
«•« atnssed
"I-I Jove him.' she declared.
“And take this also." Minor »aid.
banding her a ttttk ahror. then »
powder puff and a tiny stick of rung“
Elsa could not help smiling throng
her tears at the alwurdlty ■
'
dabbed n d dusted her tear stained
face looking st ber«e!f In t! ■
mirror, until all traces of her weeping
were removed.
__ .
-So this la th« far fz^ed
Els: ” Millar said as he watched her.
;'0'
ten t," she said rebelliously
"When I came here tonight I was a
young, saucy girl. Now I am a nerv
ous old woman. What shall 1 do?”
Whatever you do you must not be
discouraged. You must tight—attack
the enemy. But first of all you must
be pretty ”
"I shall try,” Elsa said dolefully.
“You must show that womau your
teeth Of course It Is hard for a young
girl to fight a woman," Millar went on.
You don t possess so many weapons
as a married woman who knows love
already—who—may I say something
Improper?"
Please do,” she said, her saudness
returning, as she held her bauds before
her eyes and looked at him through her
Ungers.
"A woman who knows all about love
that you have yet to learn.”
“I understand,” she said.
“But don't mind that. Listen. There
Is not much sentiment In me. but I am
a man. and I tell you, little girl, you
possess the weapon that will deal the
deathblow to the most attractive, the
most experienced woman in the world.
That weapon is purity.”
"Should I listen to all this?" Elsa
asked.
"You should not.” Millar replied
promptly, "but listen Just the same. It
may help you. And now go dance with
Karl. You must conquer. But don't
try to lie a woman. Be a girl. Don’t
try to be saucy.”
“I don't care to be saucy, but it Is so
original,” Elsa said contritely.
"Don’t try to be original,” Millar said
earnestly. "Be yourself. Be modest.
Be ashamed of your pure white shoul
ders. I.ook nt Karl ns if you feared he
Is trying to steal you away from girl
hood land ami show you the way to
woman’s land. And If any one ever
dares to call you saucy again tell him
you once met a gentleman whom you
wanted to give a piece of your mind
ami that you left him with a piece of
bls mind, feeling very small indeed
yourself and making him feel as If he
were the bij rest rascal In the world.”
Elsa turned and went toward the
what Millar and Olga were doing. He
remembered the man's declaration in
the studio that afternoon, and be dis
trusted and feared him. He was be-
ginning to bate him.
By a sheer effort of will be forced
himself to turu to Elsa. He resolved
that be would talk to her, that be
would make love to her; that be would
marry her and banish from bia heart
those hateful emotions which Millar
bad aroused. He leaned forward and
■poke of love to the girl In low tones,
while Elsa, with color coming and go
ing in her face, listened and watched
the woman she knew for her rival.
"Our tirst love usually is our last
love—our last love always Is the flrat.”
Karl said.
"I don't know.” Elsa cried demurely.
“I have never been in love, although
I was disappointed twice.” she added
gayly.
Karl was beginning to And his task
difficult His attention wandered to
Olga.
"Disappointments! Well, yes. who
has not been disappointed?"
Elsa observed his growing Inatten
tion. bis efforts to concentrate his
thoughts on their talk, his futile love
making, and she turned from him cold-
ly. Meanwhile Millar and Olga were
having a conversation In which Olga
was being torn on the rack of her Jeal
ous emotions.
Millar bad brought her Into the ante
room to show her Karl making love to
Elsa. Evegy circumstance favored bls
design. Olga at tirst was disposed to
withdraw when she saw them.
"Don't you think we should leave
the young people together?" she said.
“You are too considerate.” Millar re
plied cynically.
“They seem to be growing fond of
each other.” Olga said Jealously.
“Yes. Do yop dislike It
“No.”
“Shall we leave now?"
“No. 1 rather enjoy watching my
seed bear fruit."
•
Olga tried to speak lightly and smile.
Millar, watching her closely, saw her
lips twitch, and It was with difficulty
that site controlled herself.
other room, meeting Karl at the door
as Millar withdrew behind a curtain of
“They are an interesting couple,” he
palms.
■aid.
“Can't we discuss something liesides
these two?” Olga asked impatiently.
CHAPTER XIII.
"Yes. certainly
Millar acquiesced.
II.I.AR had pls
played with devll-
“
I
came
here
tonight
to decide a wa
1V1 W> ingenuity
V ou the tender
susceptibilities of Elsa. He ger," lie went on.
“Wliat was it?” Olga asked absently,
-r encouraged her In her love
for Karl atid her determination to win looking with Jealous eyes at Elsa and
Ulin, evidently with the deliberate pur Karl.
"I made a wager that you would fall
pose that she should repel the boy
whose will be had determined to sub in love with me tonight.”
Olga was startled by the declaration,
ordinate to his own. He watched as a
cat watches Its prey the meeting be but she treated It lightly as one of Mil
tween Karl and Elsa after he with lar's strange sayings.
"With whom did you make such n
drew quietly into the sheltering recess
wager?” site asked.
behind the palms.
•'With Karl." Millar answered quick
Karl had been searching for her nnd
stopped, barring her way Into the ball ly.
“Karl,
room.
“So here you are at last. Miss Elsa.” cried, almost rising from her seat.
“I must not tell you now It might
be exclaimed.
“Yes,” Elsa replied. dropping her hurt you.”
"Ob, no; it won’t. Please tell me
eyes demurely.
now,"
Olga pleaded, leaning over the
not
In
the
ballroom?
”
"Why are you
“I wanted to be alone. If any one table toward him.
Millar, too, leaned forward, his face
reallys wanted me he could find tne.' »»
almost touching Iter white shoulder,
Her dejection surprised Karl.
bls hand touching hers as it rested on
“You seem sad. Are you worried?”
the table. It was thus Karl saw them
“No.”
“Then what has happened?" Karl with one of those furtive glance«, and
the gllst froze the pretty speech be was
asked.
He walked toward her. and as he trying to make to Elsa. The girl, see-
did so Millar emerged from his place ing his look. Jumped to her feet, er
claiming angrily, and so that tili three
of concealment Karl looked at him.
heard her:
“Ah. now I understand,” he said.
“Take me to the ballroom immedl-
"Surely you do not mean to suspect
I bare promised the next
that I am the cause of Miss Elsa's un ately.
dance.”
happiness,” be said blandly.
Karl also, bls face white with pas
Karl ignored him and turned to Elsa,
sion, had jumped to bia feet. Elsa,
looking at her in frank admiration.
"You are very pretty tonight," be almost In tears, stamped her foot at him.
"Why do you stand there? Take me
said, going close to her. “It is because
you are yourself—a sweet, pure, natu away. Aren't you coming?"
She turned and started to the door,
ral girl. I like you better this way,
Elsa. I could take you in my arms Karl following. They passed Millar
and Olga, still seated at the table.
and hug you.”
“I thought you were in the ballroom,”
“Oh. Karl!" Elsa exclaimed, blushing
Olga said sweetly to the girl.
and hiding her face.
“Oh. did you?”
Millar’s cynical smile overspread bls
“1 hope you are enjoying the danc
face, and he turned away, well satis
fied with the progress he was making. ing”
“I hate dancing, but I shall dance ev
•Excuse me," he murmured. “1 must
say good evening to our hostess.” And ery dance tonight,” Elsa cried passion
ately.
he stole quietly out.
She looked angrily at Olga, who arose
The two young people did not notice
him. They sat down very close to each and moved toward her. Karl stepped
other. Karl leaning forward and look between them, giving his arm to Elsa.
ing into the big blue eyes of the girl. The two walked together, leaving Olga
Elsa gave a glance at the dlagppear- looking helplessly Into the smiling face
of Millar.
Ing figure of Millar.
"I am awfully glad to l>e alone with
CnAPTER XIV.
yon, Elsa.” Karl said. "You are the
one natural thing in the fetid, artificial
iLGA looked angrily at the
atmosphere. Don’t you feel warm?”
stormy little Elsa ns she
-Yes, as if some hot breeze were
floundered from the room into
blowing through this room. It stifle«
the ballroom, followed by the
enraged Karl. .Millar smiled more cyn
me."
“You never spoke like that l<efore,
ically than ever as be saw the play of
emotion on Olga's face. His ruse bad
Karl said.
Ills back was toward the ballroom worked admirably. He had at least
door, and be did not see Millar usher beaten down Olga'a will, but be bad
Olga into the room. The man had yet to make certain of Karl.
"How dared she speak like that?”
brought Olga that she might witness
the fulfillment of her plan and that he Olga demanded, turning to her cynic
might triumph In her jealousy and Millar. "Karl must love her.”
“Ijet us not reach conclusions so
further thwart them. Elsa saw them
,-omc In and sent themselves across the hastily,” Millar said. "First let me
tell you how Karl answered me this
room
•There is Olga.” she said, and she. afternoon.”
“When you made the wager?” Olga
too. Is Jealous. “Don't you want to
asked quickly.
speak to her7'
“Yes; when I promised to make you
••I have seen her,” Karl replied with
out turning around. “I would rather fall In love with me.”
"What did be say?"
talk with you. It's far more Interest
"He tried to kill me.” Millar answer
Ing"
They are talking about us,” Elsa ed slowly.
The color roobed to Olga's cheeks.
»aid warnlngly as "be saw Olga ami
Her eyre sparkled as »be turned them
Millar look toward them.
"Oh. what <>f It!" Kart exclaimed toward her ’etnpter. It wan delight
Imi-atiently "Let us he glad we are she felt—mad. unreasoning joy that
together I am just beginning to know Karl's love for her had prompted him
to kill another who threatened to win
you. Elsa ”
Still smiling. Millar
“Why do you look around then?" ber from him
went on. taking the shining revolver
Elsa said
“Am I hioklng around?" Karl asked. from his pocket and showing It to her.
"With his own bands, dear lady.
“I wasn't aware of It."
But even •■
aa be spoke be could not Karl tried to kill me with thia little
htkp furtively g.soein« «round to see Distol. I took It away from him.”
(Pl
"He tried to shoot you,” Olga ex
claimed
"Yes. aud he would have done so
This is uleely loaded for six."
Almost to herself Olga whispered
her next words:
“This afternoon he wanted to kill
you when you ouly spoke of making
love to me. and uow—be saw you
whisper In my ear. hold my band,
touch my shoulders. Why, lie must
have fallen in love with"—
"Don't yon think it silly to shoot a
friend on account of a woman?” Mil
lar interrupted before she could pro
Bounce Elsa's name.
“Oh, he's fond of me. Perhaps you
said something about me,” Olga stum
bled on hurriedly. “Karl holds me
high regard. But there la no doubt
It, these youftg people are in love."
“I fear you regret the success
your matrimonial scheme for Karl and
Elsa.” Millar said.
“Do you think it will be successful?”
she asked eagerly.
"I don't know. But we may find
out easily euougb.
“How?"
Millar took a turn up aud down the
room, ills upslanting eyebrows drawn
together in deep thought.
"This afternoou he tried to shoot
me when I told him I would make you
full In love with me." he said, stop
ping In front of Olga. “That means
love. Don't speak to me of respect or
regard, my dear lady. They tire off
cannons In salute out of ri»>ect, but
when they draw pistols tlWt means
love. Now. you think Karl loves this
little girl. Suppose we tind out who is
right. We will make Karl tell us him
self.”
Olga turned away, with a gesture of
dissent. but Millar went on Inslnuat
Ingly:
"Or'course I understand it Interests
you only because you planned this
marriage, and. after all. It is only right
that yon should feel a certain amount
of pride In the success of your plans.
Is It not so?"
"Yes; that is true."
“Very well. then. Karl shall tell us
which was teal, his attempt to murder
me or this little affair wit a Elsa.”
"But how? Yott don't mean to ask
Karl?” Olga asked in bewilderment.
“You are not going to listen at key-
holes?”
"Oh. ma da me, no."
“Then how can we make him tell
us?”
“It Is simple. I have a plan. But
you must follow m.v instructions to
the letter. Don't ask for any reasons
Simply do ns I say.”
Olga looked at him reflectively She
knew Instinctively that he had some
new bit of devilish ingenuity, some
cloister twist of that marvelous brain,
and-she was afraid. But she wanted
more than .anything else to be assured
that Karl did not love Elsa. that her
scheme for their marriage had failed,
and she replied:
“Very well. It Is agreed."
“I saw you once nt the opera with a
very Ite.autlful cloak that covered you
completely from your neck to your
shoe tips. Have you such a cloak
%
now?"
“Yes.”
“Good. Put this cloak on. f*t ouly
your bare neck show above It and the
tips of your shoes beneath. Button It
from top to bottom ns If you felt cold
Then we shall need but the presence
of yourself nn<l Karl here In this room
to solve the problem."
Olga looked nt Millar a moment In
silence. There flashed Instantly through
her tnlnd the full meaning of his dar
ing suggestion, and at first she was on
the point of Indignant refusal Then
she ns quickly resolved to carry out
the scheme -to beat the man at his
own cunning game, to find out for her
self what Karl really felt.
“Unconditionally obey me. aud we
shall know everything.” Millar assured
her, observing her hesitation.
“This Is very mysterious,” Olgn snld
slowly. "What strange influence .do
you possess that compels me to obey
your will? Your eyes seem to have all
the wisdom of the world behind them.”
“You do my ej’es poor, scant Justice,"
Millar replied. “Now go, dear ma-
dame. If any one expresses astonish
ment that you wear a cloak Indoors
simply say tflat you felt cold.”
“It really is cold,” Olga said, with a
little shiver as they turned away,
“Out this way,” Millar said quickly,
pointing to the palms and a door be-
yond them "Karl Is coming ”
Olga gathered her skirts up and hur
ried from the room just ns Karl en
tered. The young artist caught a
glimpse of her dress as sis* disappeared
behind the palms. He looked at Millar,
with Jealous rage making his eyes
glow.
"Who was that?” he demanded.
“Who?” Millar asked blandly.
“Did Olga run away from me?"
“No one ran from you that I know
of, Karl. That Is a pretty girl, my
young friend, that little Elsa.”
“Yes, she la pretty." Karl replied ab
sently, sitting down at a table.
He was still tortured by th« sight of
Millar leaning over Olga, touching her
hands, whispering in her ear. He was
tormented by the Insinuating words
the man had tittered tn the afternoon
when h« swore that Olga should love
him, should be hla. He would bare
liked to take Millar’s throat In bia two
hands and throttle him.
Keenly aware of the Inferno he had
raised In Karl. Millar continued to
chat affably. Karl not deigning to an
swer Finally Millar said:
"You »r.-m annoyed.”
Karl lost control of hlmaelf and
leaped to bls feet, lie went close
Millar. staring Into his eyes,
am aginoyed
fn> you want i ■
know why?” be demanded, putting ■ II
the insolent be could command Into
bls ton«.
"No," Millar replied, with a smile.
”1 want to Wil you why,” Karl 4e
il£ DICTATED WiiixE ULuA WKUIE.
dared.
"Please don't." Millar said depreent-
Ingly.
"Yes I will." Karl went on belllger-
ently. “I am amazed at the change
which has come over you since this
afternoon, Don't Imagine that it Is
on account of Olga. We won't dis-
cuss her at all."
“Certainly not! She is out of the
question,' Millar assented warmly.
“Absolutely." Knrl went on.
came here this evening determined
ask Elsa to marry me.”
"Fine! I am very glad to bear it I
wish you good luck, my boy!" Millar
cried, with enthusiasm
"You are glad?”
“Delighted!" Millar assured him.
"It does not take you long to change
your uilnd." Karl continued, still with
a truculent air. “This afternoon you
Insisted I should not marry Elsa To
night you nre delighted nt the pros
pect.”
“Oh, yes. 1 see the matter now in a
different light."
“Then It was Olga who ran away as
I entered!" Karl-almost shouted, glar
ing at him menacingly.
“Ran away! Why should she rOn
away?" Millar asked, pretending em
ba rrassment.
"Don't act like a cad!" Karl cried
threateningly.
“What do you mean. Karl?"
“I mean exactly what I say Don’t
act like a cad. If you were n gentle
man you would hide your pleasure ”
Millar pretended to be shocked at
the indignation of the yottug artist,
which secretly delighted him.
“Don't talk that way. Karl." he
urged. “As you seem to have pene
trated my secret. I suppose I might as
well—but have you made up your
mind to marr.v Elsa?"
“Absolutely.”
“And you v III not change your mind.
You promise?”
“I will not change my tnlnd.”
“Well, of course If that is the case I
can tell you. I”—
ne hesitated as If embarrassed at
his own question. Karl cried roughly:
“And did you succeed?”
“Well. I"-
"What of her husband?"
“Ah, Karl, he Is deaf. dumb and
blind!” Millar cried gleefully
Stifled with the pain at hla heart.
Karl turned away
"This afternoon nt my house you
met her for the tirst lime ” he said.
“Ah. Knrl, she Is a clever woman,
cleverer than I thought.” Millar said,
affecting tremendous enthusiasm "She
deceived me this afternoon about her
true character; she bus been deceiving
all of you. 1 am sure of It. Ob. she Is
grand, fantastic, passionate, daring
Think of it. Karl." he went on. going
close to the boy and leaning over blm.
bringing out his words so that every
one seemed to penetrate his heart—
"think of It, tonight a klsa behind a
door In front of which her husband
was standing. Danger faaclnates her.
And just now. a moment before you
came In. we agreed"—
“So it was she?” Karl Interrupted.
“Ob, yes; It was she." Millar admit
ted. “1 suggested a wild plan. Karl;
almost too daring for the th-st day of
our acquaintance. Her bon*. |u>sltl »n
everything depends U| h » ii Its sucer.s
Of course I did not dream she would
carry It out. I suggested It merely to
sound th« depths of her passion. But
she loved the idea and insisted upon
doing R this very night If It falls w«
are l«it”
Karl trembled with apprehension for
Olga, whom be believed in th« devflish
powers of this man.
“What Is Itr be asked.
“She will be here In one minute,
dressed tn an opern cloak and nothing
else. Think of it, Karl, the daring of
It She will walk through the balk
room on my arm among all those peo
ple, her friends, her husband, with no
one in th« secret but we two—and you
Ah, Karl, 1 told you ah« would b*
mine" Millar concluded, wi i raptur
ous accents.
With a wild cry Knrl sprang at Mil
lar, I riling one word at |nm:
“l.I.'r!"
be careful,” Millar protested,
avoi<:
him.
'•11'.- a I a damnable, dirty lie!" Karl
cried, t.. : blindly to roach him, to
grasp hla throat, to throttle him.
Millar deftly avoided him aud laugh
ed triumphantly.
"I have trapped you who tried to
trap mo.” he cried.
Hoffmann."
“Yes. I love her,” Karl cried loud-
ly. "1 love, her, and yet 1 will marry
Elsn. Now. I have listened to your
Infernal lies, I have watched you
gloat over them, Men like you steal a
won.tin's reputation and boast of it and
call it success. But you shall pay for
it now, this minute, when I kick you
out of the house. Out with you. like
a sneak thief that you are.”
He Ivan e.| (¡eterminedly ou Millar,
who quietly faced hint.
“Remember. Karl, that I have the
pistol now.” he said coolly.
"Out with you, you sueak thief. I
am not afraid of you,” Karl cried
again.
lie was about to seize Millar by th«
throat when he started back In amaze-,
ment nt what seemed to be the fulfill
ment of the other's sinister promise.
Olga atepped through the door Into the
room. She was clothed from head to
foot In a beautiful, shimmering, fur
trimmed cloak.
Above the top button gleamed her
bare throat. Iler white arms project
ed from the short sleeves. The hen»
of the skirt fell to the tips of her whit«
satin shoes.
I
CHAPTER XV.
3 Olga entered she gave one
glance at Karl and then
moved away from him and
stood Iteside the table at
which she and Millar had been seated.
She saw the wild rage stamped on his
face, and her woman's Intuition made
her know that Millar bad told him
what she had divined he meant. The
situation frightened Iter, and she felt
ou tl>e point of fleeing from the room
or casting aside the cloak, but she re
solved to see the game through.
Karl stared nt tier, rage giving place
to amazement, then to despair. For
full a minute no one spoke. The music
floated In softly frosa tea ballroom,
mingled with the hum of voices and
laughter. Olga was the first to break.,
the st Illness, but she did not look at
him as she spoke.
"Karl, this Is the llr< time I have
bad a chance to talk tvltli you tonight.”
she said.
"What Is that?” Karl absently asked.
He had not heard. His mind was
confused, bewildered. Millar, cynical
ly misunderstanding his question, snld
quickly:
"Why. that Is an opera cloak "
Olga turner! quickly, fearful that th«
remark might cause an eruption which
she could not control. She cried Im
pulsively. seeking to divert the threat
ening train of conversation:
“The ball Is a great success. Every
one Is merry; every one dances as If it
were the first affair of the season. Th«
girls are all as happy as young wid
ows who have Just taken off mourn
ing.”
"I have olmerved It.” Millar agreed,
with enthusiasm. “It is splendid. But
why 1s Karl so sad amid all this mer
rymaking?” he added.
"Why are yoi\ sad. Karl?" Olga
asked, tun ing to him.
"I sad? You are silly." Karl cried,
with forced gnyety. “1 never felt hap
pier In ail my life.”
There was a touch of hysteria In his
voice that made Olga'a heart g<> out t<»
him.
“1 am glad yon are having such a
gtssj time." she salt!
(Contineud Next Week.)
t