The San Francisco call and post., 1913-12-20


"Mr. Flagg?" queried the girl, push
ing aside the heavy curtains beyond
the great oak door.
The man was standing at his desk
examining a letter he had just taken
from a japanned tin box. A satisfied
smile played across his dark. crafty
features-and the smile deepened in
intensity as he looked up and saw
the pretty girl he had drawn into his
web of trickery and deceit. He was
a connoisseur in all things beautiful
-as the warm toned 'hangings. hand
fooled books and rare paintings in
his luxurious library den testified.
He had a sudden instinct to hide
his box Of shameful letters in his
safe, but as he started a paroxysm
of pain marred his face beyond its
usual evil and saturnine leer.
"oh-pardon," he said, pressing his
hand in grave pain to heart weak
ened by years of unholy excitement.
PARLEYING FOR A SOUL
Aline ignored his pain. Her own
was grave enough. She could have
no sympathy for such as he.
az phoned you," she said cooIiy. Hez
blood was throbbing in wild fear. She
was alone, late at night, with Wash
ington's master flend, the blaclmailez
of society-the creature who fed full
ON the loves and SORROWS Of his fel-
lows, whose heartlessness was stated
because men and women had foolish,
erring, loving hearts,"
Flagg controlled his sufferings.
"Sit down." said he.
The girl continued to stand, slender.
alluring, at the side Of his great
oaken desk.
Please let me see that letter you
say you have
''Sit down, Miss Graham"
II must hurry
I'VE won't be disturbed-here." He
said 1t with slow emphasis-with
poisoned innuendo.
Let me see that letter-if you have
it," replied the girl impatiently.
Presently" The man sat down
with impudent sang froid, and scru-
tinized her with admiration that fairly
reeked of insult to the girl alone with
this unsavory creature in his den.
Please hurry
You're a pretty woman, Miss Gra-
ham" he insinuated.
Il didn't come here for that, SIR"
The girl spoke with simple dignity
she must not let this man see how
she feared him.
More beautiful than the lady in
my picture-good painting-Salon-
Paris!" He pointed to a magnificent
portrait of Justice" satirically hung
above the portals of his injustice. His
finger was on the electric button that
controlled the camera and fIashlight
When his visitor turned to look at
the picture she would be posed full
face for the camera. A1ine Graham
would soon be photographed in his
gallery OF immortals, thought Judson
F1agg. and. like his other victims. she
would be powerless to deny that she
was a client of his.
But Aline did not turn. The plate
in the camera was saved for later.
more fiendish work!
II haven't time for pictures-I must
hurry. You know 1t -. Please
let me see the letter and CO."
you said over the phone you hadn:s
written any letter you were afraid
off, Flagg enjoyed proionging the
torture of this pretty victim.
Il haven't.'
Then why are you here?"
IF you have such a letter it's a
forgery the girl declared.
ssWhy didn't YOU forge a marriage
certificate. One Of them covers n null
titude of SINS" The man was sneer-
ing openly now.
The girl struggled for seif-mas-
terry. This creature should not-must
not guess the extent to which her ter
ror of him was growing His dar-
ing insult and the abyss of shame
which gaped before her anguished
eyes at his words must loon, hofnra