Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-11-04
The Mystery of the Red Flame

Dora Wharton stood there during
this dialogue. Her face was as white
as marble and there was n dangerous
CLINT in her eyes. She strobe forward
now, indignation depicted on her
countenance.
'One moment" she cried, "permit
me TO say word. ~
There was perfect silence. The
eyes of all were fixed on her. She
turned to me in an impersonal man
ner. She did not address me by name
but said abruptly: "Iou have heard
what he said?"
bowed my head in assent.
'Is it true?'
The statement that / have spied on
you,' l began, "is false"
But she cut me off abruptly.
II want no explanations" she
cried. II want to know if YOU are a
special, agent of the treasury depart
ment."
hesitated the fraction of second
and then said in q low voice:
''I am ~
A spasm of pain twitched her face,
it went shade winter, and she cried
in a. voice filled with despair and
anguish:
''Meriful heavens! A spy :"
The next instant she turned and
hurried away. / ran after her and
caught the sleeves of her dress
Dora" l cried, please wait a
moment. l can explain
She grasped my arm in n grip Of
iron and cast it off.
Don't touch me !" she exclaimed in
a choking voice. you're too horrible
to livcu"
But. Dora"
''llow dare you insult me by speaking
my name? Leave me ut once. | can't
breathe the same air with you !"
She sped on toward the house, soB-
bing as she went. l sank on a bench
and buried my head in my hands. This
was the most crushing blow of all
To cause her pain was exquisite tor
ture to me. To seem base in her sight
was the greatest humiliation to which
l could ever be subject. The universe
toppled about me. My house of cards
fell to the ground. All hope of hap
piness seemed blotted from my life. No
one can ever imagine the weight of
woe which oppressed me at that mo
mcnt. | do not know how long | re-
mained there with my sorrow. When
looked up | saw Jacquette and Jayne
still standing near the summer house
] pulled myself together with an effort
|, Even in the blackness of my despair
!; realized that l must not let these
rascals get the best of the situation.
strobe over to them:
"Eou miserable puppet" :" cried
shaking finger at Jayne. ''I'll attend
to your case later. | have other things
to look after at present
"Iour own case for instance nc
l.,
''Senor Garland is permitting his
rage to get the better of his good man
ners." purred Jacquette in the oily
tones l had grown to detest.
/ disdained to speak to the Brazilian
at that moment and made my way TO
the house. Dora was in the living
. room standing near the windows over
, loking the grounds. Her tear stained
eyes showed that she had been weeping,
but as / entered the room she drew her
. self to her full height. ] hesitated and
she turned her back to me.
Miss Wharton" I began in low
voice, "I--'
II don't think there is anything
more to be said" she interrupted
/ But surely you will grant me a
! hcaring-eveu a criminal is entitled to
a hearing"
"Rcing detective" she exclaimed
dsGainfully, "you are probably better
acquainted with the ethics of Grim l.
! inals."
"You are unkind." said softly.
/ She turned on me like a flash.
p "Unkind - she exclaimed. the fire
fairly dartng from her luminous black
| eyes. ''How dare you use the word
How could you be so despicable as to
enter this house under cover? How
, could you attempt to win my confidence
/ by a pretended affection?
Il never imagined a man lived that
could descend to such a contemplate
deceit. And the hypocrisy of it makes
your act all the more loathsome."
but you won't let me say word
in my own defense---'
WHAT" she cried incredulously
"Do you want to keep up the farce
after the mask has been torn from your
. face?"
, l stiffened at this blow.
'ln view of what you say there il
/ nothing for me to do but to leave
Hcdgewater House. merely wish t.
, say that promised Doctor Henderson
! that ] would remain until he came her,
: this evening"
She laughed mirthlcssly.
; 80 you We fooled him. too? And yot
seem to be very scrupulous about YOU
promise. Well. there's train leaving
Hcdgewater at 20 tomorrow morning
If you have any shame left take tha
train.
) ] bowed.
} 1T shall be as you wish. Some da
perhaps, you may think better of me.
/ ascended the stairway to my room
As ! looked over the banister / saw
d her leaning against the curtains, thu
tears streaming down her cheeks.
Behind the Summer House
THE world had gone black for me
l. Never, since embarking upon tn,
> curious enterprise, had l felt so thor
oughly depressed and disheartcned Ms
did after that interview with Dori
Wharton. The expected had happened
but, alas! / found myself unprepareC
: : for it. In the early part of this mar
rative i accused myself of living il
fools paradise. The truth of tina
accusation was now more eviden
l than ever. was disgraced il
the eyes of Dora. What else mattered
I But presently this black mood passed
l My heart was as heavy as lead, but
was determined to fight the battle unit
the end. / could still see the tear
i stained face of the girl l loved, bu
t beyond it caught the grinning, leerinI
, cOuntenances of Jacquette and Jayne
and | made up my mind that they
should rue the day they brought un,
! happiness to the heart of Dora Whar
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