The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1910-12-28
Mr.. Peter Ruff
~ Z. sHlLLsss o.pE~HEsas
Ill Blows the Wind that
Profits Nobody


to his feet.
Job hate! he muttered as he
left the room.
The Barnes's, full Of the small curl
osity of people of their class, were In
tent upon listening for voices outside.
The demeanor of Mr.. Spencer Fitz-
gerald. therefore, escaped their notice.
1t Is doubtful, in any case. whether
their perceptions would have been suf-
ficiently keen to have enabled them
to trace the workings of emotion in
the countenance of person so mag
nificently endowed by Providence with
the art OF subterfuge. Mr.. Spencer
Fitzgerald seemed simply to have stiff
fened into acute and earnest attention.
1t was only for a moment that he hest
tated. His unfailing inspiration told
him the truth!
His course of action was simple
he rose to his feet and strolled to the
window.
Some ono who has lost their way
IN the fog, perhaps" he remarked.
What night! "
He laid his hand upon the sash
simultaneously there was rush OF
cold air into the room. hslf-angry.
half frightened exclamation from
Adolphus in the passage. scream
from Miss Maud-and no Mr.. Spencer
Fitzgerald! No one had time to be
more than blankly astonished. The
door was opened, and a police inspec-
tor, in very nice dark braided uni.
form and a peaked cap, stood In the
doorway.
Mr.. Barnes dropped the port. and
Ia In,
example, screamed. The inspector, as
though conscious Of the draught,
moved rapidly toward the window.
You had a visitor here. Mr..
Barnes he said quickly" Mr..
Spencer Fitzgerald. Where is her
There was no one who could answer!
Mr. Barnes was speeches. between tho
shock of the split port and the appear
ance of a couple Of uniformed police
men in his dining-room. John Dory.
the detective, he knew we'll enough in
his private capacity, but in his uni
form, and attended by policemen, he
presented g. new and startling ap-
pearance! Mrs. Barnes was in hys-
rerics, and Maud was gazing like a
creature turned to stone at the open
window, through which little puffs Of
fog were already drifting into the
room. Adolphus, with an air Of be-
wilderment, was standing with his
mouth and eyes wider open than they
had ever been in his life. And as re-
CARDS the honored guest Of these adj
there was not the slightest doubt but
that Mr.. Spencer Fitzgerald had dis
appeared through the window!
Fitzgerald's expedition was nearly
at an end. Soon he paused, crossed
the road to block of flats, assembled
to the eighth floor by an automatic
/ lift, and rang the bell at door which
bore simply the number H. A trim
parlor-maid opened 1t after a few min
utes' delay
"Is Miss Emerson at homer" he
asked
Miss Emerson is in" the maid ad-
am not sure that she will see any one
tonight"
have message for her." Fitz-
gerald said.
VIII you give me your name, sir,
please?" the maid asked.
An inner door was suddenly opened.
really was by reason of the rug upon
which she stood. looked out into the
hall-a girl with masses of brown hair
loosely coiled on her head. with pale
face and strange eyes. She opened
her lips as though TO call her visitor
by name. and as suddenly closed them
again. There was not much express
sion in her face, but there was enough
to show that his visit was not unwel-
come.
You." she exclaimed. Come in!
Please come in at once +"
Fitzgerald obeyed the invitation of
the girl whom he had come to visit.
She had retreated little into the
room, but the door was no sooner
closed than she held out her hands.
Peter! she exclaimed, Peter,
you have come to me at last
Her lips were a little parted; her
eyes were bright with pleasure; her
whole expression was one OF absolute
delight. Fitzgerald frowned as
though he found her welcome little
too enthusiastic for his taste
Violet" he said, please don't
! look at me as though | were a prodi-
gal sheep. II you do, shall be sorry
that I came"
Her hands fell TO her side, the
pleasure died out of her face-only
her eyes still questioned him. Fitz.
gerald carefully laid his hat on va.
cant chair
Something has happened" she
said. Tell me that all that madness
is oyer-that you are yourself again "
So far as regards my engagement
with Messrs. Howell Wilson, he
said, despondently, you are right.
AS regards-Miss Barnes. there has
been no direct misunderstanding be-
tween us, but am afraid. for the
present. that must consider that
well. in allegiance.
That is somethingl she ex.
claimed, drawing little breath Of
relief. Sit down, Peter. Will you
have something to eat? finished
dinner an hour ago, but"
Thank you." Fitzgerald inter.
rupted. supped-extremely well in
Streatham"
In Streatham. she repeated
Why, how did you get there? The
fog is awful"
Fogs do not trouble me-" Pitz
gerald answered. Il walked could
have done II as we'll blindfoid. I will