The Amazing Woman

Summary

Ralph Strong, freshly minted from medical school, arrives at a remote hunting lodge for a restorative vacation, only to encounter the enigmatic Anitra Frane, whose voice, though untested in the United States, promises a future of operatic brilliance. Their budding affection is abruptly severed by the United States' entry into the Great War, prompting Ralph to enlist his medical expertise on the front lines. Meanwhile, Anitra, yearning for artistic emancipation, consents to accompany Ralph's affluent father, John Strong, to the city, assuming the role of his mistress to secure a platform for her vocal ambitions. John, however, balks at matrimonial commitment, offering instead a modest check that propels Anitra into the nocturnal persona of "The Flame," a seductive benefactress who amasses wealth from the city's elite to fund a free clinic for destitute children. The narrative darkens when Gaston Duval, a debauched confidant of Ralph, takes his own life after Anatra rebuffs his marriage proposal, igniting Ralph's vengeful quest to unmask "The Flame." Persuaded by Anitra's vision of civic purification, Ralph abandons personal retribution and plunges into politics, ultimately securing the mayoralty and pledging to cleanse the metropolis of vice. He introduces his ailing father to Anitra, whose fainting spell foreshadows tragedy; John succumbs to a heart attack, and in his dying moments, Anitra confesses her identity as "The Flame." Ralph, now enlightened, declares his love and proposes a joint crusade toward a brighter, more equitable future.

Synopsis

While vacationing at a hunting lodge, Ralph Strong, a recent medical school graduate, meets Anitra Frane. Their courtship is interrupted when the United States enters World War I and Ralph offers his medical assistance. Anitra, who has not been able to develop her beautiful singing voice in the country, goes with Ralph's father John to the city as his mistress so that she can pursue a singing career. After John refuses to marry her and sends her a check, Anitra becomes known as the seductress "The Flame," and decides to build a free clinic for children with money she gets from ultra-rich men. When Ralph's dissolute friend, Gaston Duval, kills himself because Anitra will not marry him, Ralph vengefully vows to find "The Flame." After Anitra convinces him instead to enter politics to cleanse the city of sin, Ralph is elected mayor. When he introduces his father to Anitra, she faints. After John has a heart attack and dies, Anitra confesses that she is "The Flame." Ralph says that he loves her and that they should strive together for a better future.