The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1911-01-30

dow OF Daisy Villa TWO years ago. ~ !
may be Mr.. James Fitzgerald now.
Gentlemen Of your profession have
knack of changing their names
My professions as good as yours. !
anyway" the little man exclaimed.
2" We aren't all fools In It! My friend
Mr.. Peter Run said to me that there
was young lady whom used to know
who was anxious to meet me again,
and would step round here about
eight o'clock. Here am. and all can
say is, If that's the young lady, never
saw her before in my life"
There was moments breathless 81
lence. Then tho door was softly
opened. Violet Brown went staggering
back like woman who sees ghost
She bit her lips till the blood came,
1t was Peter Ruff who stood looking
in upon them-Peter Ruff carefully
dressed in evening clothes his silk
hat at exactly the correct angle, his
coat and white kid gloves upon his
arm.
Dear me-" he said, you don't seem
to be getting on very well! Mr.. Dory."
he added, with note of surprise in
/ his tone, this is indeed an unex-
/ pected pleasure!
The man who stood by the desk
/ turned to him. The others wers
stricken dumb.
Look here" he said, there's some
mistake You told me to come here at
eight o'clock to meet q young LADY
whom I used to know. Well, never
saw her before in my life," he added.
pointing to Maud. There's a man
there who wants to arrest me-Lord
knows what for! And here's Miss
Brown, whom I have seen at the tho
alter several times, but who never con-
descended to speak to me before. tell
ing me not to shoot! What's 1t all
about, Ruff? Is it practical joke?"
Peter Run laid down his coat and
hat and sat upon the table with his
hands in his pockets.
4 "Is 1t possible" he said, that I
have made mistake? Isn't your sec
ond name Spencer?
The man shook his head
! My name is James Fitzgerald he
said l haven't missed a day at the
Shaftesbury Theater for three years,
as you can find out by going round the
!, corner. never called myself Spencer,
was never in book-shop, and never
saw that lady before in my life."
Maud came out from her plaza
against the wall, and leaned eagerly
forward. John Dory turned his head
slowly towards his wife. A sickening
fear had risen in his heart gripped
him by the throat Fooled once more
and by Peter Ruff!
ut isn't Spencer!" Maud said
huskily. Mr.. Ruff" she added. turn
ing to him, - you know very well that
! this is not the Mr.. Spencer Fitzgerald
whom you promised to bring here to
night-Mr. Spencer Fitzgerald to whom
/ was once engaged"
Peter Ruff pointed to the figure Of
q her husband.
. Madam" he said. my invitation
did not include your husband"
John Dory took a step forward, AMI
laid his hands upon the shoulders o.
the man who called himself Mr.. JAIME!
Fitzgerald. He looked into his fac,
long and carefully. Then he turned
away, and, gripping his wife by Thu
arm, he passed out of the room. Thu
door slammed behind him. The sount
of heavy footsteps we're heard descend
ing to the floor below.
Violet Brown crossed the room t,
where Peter Ruiz was still sitting will
u a queer look upon his face, and, grip
J. ping him by the shoulders, shook hin,
How dare you! I" she exclaimed
. How dare you! Do you know that
have nearly cried my eyes out?
/ Peter Ruff came back from tn
world into which, for the moment, hi
thoughts had taken him.
; Violet" he said, you have know
me for some years. You have been m
secretary for some months. II yol
choose still to take me for q fool,
: cannot help it"
But" she exclaimed, pointing t
Mr.. James Fitzgerald
Peter Ruff nodded.
II have been practising on him TO
, some time he said, with an air o
, self-satisfaction. thin, mobile fact
, you see, and plenty Of experience i
the art of making up. 1t is astonisf
ing what one can do If one tries"
; Nj. James Fitzgerald picked up hi
Q hat and coat
Al was worth more than Ave quid,
he growled; when l saw the hant
cuffs in that fellows hand. felt
cold SILVER go down my spine"
4 Peter Ruff counted out two bank
y notes and passed them to mis- confet
q crate.
You have earned the money h
said. go and spend 1t Perhaps
: Violet" he added, turning towards hel
Il have been little inconsiderat'
Come and have dinner with me, an
| forget it,
She drew little sigh.
You are sure" she murmuret