The Devil: A Tragedy of the Heart and Conscience

There is a great lesson for all women and men in this wonderful story. It is one that will impress with its power. But I am glad to say that I do not believe fully in its truth. The Devil here wins his victory, as he has won many. But each year, as men and women get better, the victories of Satan are fewer. Good men and good women fight against evil and do not yield.

This tragic, heart-breaking story, by the wonderful new writer, tells one side of the battle between good and evil that goes on in every human heart. It has its lesson for all men and women.

It is a powerful warning against playing with fire. Its lesson, taught in the downfall of the man and woman, is "Keep away from evil, and the appearance of evil."

BEATRICE FAIRFAX.

THE CHARACTERS

Karl Mahler An Artist Heinrich His Valet Mimi His Model Herman Hofmann A Banker Olga Hofmann The Banker's Wife The Devil Calling Himself Dr. Millar Elsa Berg An Heiress

The scenes are laid in Vienna, Austria, in Karl Mahler's studio, and in the conservatory reception-room at the Hofmanns', and all the events transpire within the space of one day.

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

PAGE. DR. MILLAR: "WHAT AN IDEAL COUPLE YOU TWO WOULD MAKE" Frontispiece

MIMI: "YOU DO NOT LOVE ME; YOU HAVE CEASED TO CARE FOR ME" 16

"CALL ME DR. MILLAR. MY SOCIAL POSITION IS BEYOND QUESTION" 40

"THE ART DEALER," HE SAID SARCASTICALLY 70

"THEY SEEM TO BE GROWING FOND OF EACH OTHER," OLGA SAID JEALOUSLY 108

"LET ONLY YOUR BARE NECK SHOW ABOVE YOUR CLOAK, AND THE TIPS OF 115 YOUR SHOES BENEATH IT"

"I HAVE BEGUN THIS, LET ME FINISH IT. LET ME DICTATE THIS LETTER" 136

"I WANTED TO FEEL THAT YOU LOVED ME AS I HOPED YOU DID" 173

NOTE:--The illustrations used in this book are reproduced from scenes in Henry W. Savage's production of "The Devil," the only version approved by the author.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FOREWORD 3 CHAPTER I 9 CHAPTER II 19 CHAPTER III 34 CHAPTER IV 45 CHAPTER V 56 CHAPTER VI 72 CHAPTER VII 83 CHAPTER VIII 88 CHAPTER IX 104 CHAPTER X 134 CHAPTER XI 156 CHAPTER XII 162 CHAPTER XIII 168 CHAPTER XIV 175 THE MORAL OF "THE DEVIL" 185

THE DEVIL

CHAPTER I

Herman Hofmann, the wealthy banker, and his beautiful young wife, Olga, had as their guest at dinner Karl Mahler, an artist. Some years earlier, before Hofmann married, Mahler, befriended by his family, had been sent away to Paris to study art. Olga, at that time a dependent ward in the Hofmann family, and the poor young art student loved each other with the sweet, pure affection of boy and girl.

In the absence of Karl, Olga yielded to the pressing suit of Herman and the importunities of her own relatives, all poor, and became his wife. Karl returned to find the sweetheart whom he had kissed for the first time when he told her good-by, married to another. He was not greatly shocked at the discovery, the life of an art student in Paris having somewhat dimmed the memory of his boyhood's love, and neither he nor Olga alluded to their early romance.

For six years the two had been friends, although they never saw each other alone. Karl was a frequent visitor at their house and Herman was his devoted and loyal friend. Olga honestly believed that she loved her husband and had long ago forgotten her love for Karl. Lately she had interested herself in his future to the extent of proposing for him a bride, Elsa Berg, a beautiful and youthful heiress, and she had arranged a grand ball, to be given so that the two young people might be brought together.

In all the six years of her married life Olga had never visited Karl's studio. Karl had never even offered to paint her portrait. Although neither would confess it, some secret prompting made them fear to break down the barriers of convention, and they remained to each other chaperoned and safe. On this evening, however, when Karl was with them, the subject of a portrait of Olga came up for the first time, and Herman declared that it must be painted.