The Devil: A Tragedy of the Heart and Conscience

uilt by a wealthy nobleman and completed with a princely disregard for expenditur

otted plants along the stairs and halls. All was bustle and preparation. Herman delightedly went forward and examined every detail of the work. Olga, who ordinarily would have taken the same keen

dear," Herman said to her whe

ooked forward with shuddering aversion to her second meeting with Millar. Now she was impatient for him to arrive. She wanted to talk to him; to

ir, her splendid figure set off charmingly in an evening gown of white satin brocade. Sh

e afternoon. Immaculate in every detail of his dress, his very grooming suggested wickedness. He

"I congratulate you on the wonderful transformati

gayly, her eyes frankly meeting those of Millar as he loo

to have the pleasure

d. "Meanwhile, monsieur, I am going to ask you t

e to them," he replied cynically. "It is n

ined now," Olga said. "S

," Millar assu

a heard exclamations usually of surprise or dismay from her women guests, and the number that invariably gath

greeted him with an affected lisp, drooping ey

r teeth will chatter to

ffected the airs of a girl-he

tell you of a splendid

portly one replied indignantly

she might listen to him while he told her the things that she did not dare tell herself. The e

the thought of their marriage, but her will drove her to the fulfilment of her purpose, to that extent at least. But it was with a heart torn

xcitement of her meeting with Karl made her seem doubly beautiful, and she gladdened the artist in him, but he helplessly confessed to himself that she

erson who seems to be fright

Millar, a friend of

" Elsa said with a note of challenge in her tone. "I thi

t go near him

sharp tongue or an evil mind

he spoke without conviction. He suddenly yielded to a curiosi

hunt him up," she cried, j

s obvious from the instant silence which ensued that he had been the subject of their discussion. This seemed to gratify his cynical humor, a

d be so silent. I presume during my abse

speak, but Elsa tur

said. "I would say to your face what these people only

y might discuss you and your approach

" Elsa cried i

a was embarrassed. She knew the design of her friend Olga in bringing her and Karl togeth

would throw you

at this sally and Elsa blushed furiou

e. I will send these peop

m. One or two essayed conversation, and his cutting, insolent replies sent them scurrying from the room. In a few moments only he and Elsa rema

are gone

o?" she asked. "You offended me, you know, b

Millar said with

ickname-Saucy Elsa?" s

, y

mpatiently as Millar bowed again before her. "I have selected you to deliver a mos

at your disposa

gh, when you are so polite t

d the conver

on with determination: "When you came in here you said I

d

girl who permits herself to be th

es

ering her self-poise, which the baffli

air with a gesture

very advantage," she said. "I want to set you right, an

ooked up at her expectantly. S

I make myself clear? You were kind enough to mention the subject, and I shal

er cheeks flushed. Millar look

ence does me

or their opinions than I have in last week's newspapers. But I want them all to know that they have not

interrupted, but sh

nt schemes? But I'll marry him just the same, if

you will," Mil

to be Karl's wife," E

" Millar said, rising, "I feel that I may be quite

e chair he had v

cause I am going to se

Millar called a servant

leather case in my overco

t out and he co

s marriage, but you-you d

wh

o know. Hence you ar

of a man who loves another woman. And, what is more, I intend to go on my honeymoon with a man who has another woman in his heart-who le

on. As the servant re-entered the room and h

subject could excite

stand that I know quite well the way I am going, and that I go that way proudly,

ked, opening his

ove him," the girl ans

from the case a dainty lace hand

" he said. "It is my weeping bag. In it

yes with the handkerchief, not

him," sh

ouge. Elsa could not help smiling through her tears at the absurdity of it, as she dabbed and dusted her

ed Saucy Elsa," Millar

came here to-night I was a young, saucy girl.

uraged. You must fight-attack the enemy

y," Elsa sa

l to fight a woman," Millar went on. "You don't possess so many weapons as

rning as she held her hands before her ey

ll about love that y

stand,"

d I tell you, little girl, you possess the weapon that will deal the death blow to

en to all this

ame. It may help you. And now, go dance with Karl. You must conqu

y, but it is so original

away from girlhood land and 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 to whom you wanted to give

room, meeting Karl at the door as Mill