Arizona republican., 1911-02-08


 Peter Ruff became an inmate of that very select clearinghouse carried on by Mrs. Bognor at number r Russell Street. Bloomsbury. He arrived with steamer trunk, an elaborate travel ng-bag and a dressing-case; took the best vacant room in the house, and dressed for dinner. Mrs. Bognor looked upon him as a valuable addi. ton to her clientele. and introduced him freely to her other guests. Amongst these was Major Edward Jones. Major Jones sat at Mrs. Bog. nor's right hand, and was evidently the show guest of the boarding-h house Peter Ruff, without the least desire to attack his position, sat upon her left and monopolized the conversation. On the third night it turned, by nance, upon precious stones. Peter Ruff drew little chamois leather bag from bis pocket.
 am afraid" he said, "that my tastes are peculiar. I have been in the East, and I have seen very many pre- clous stones in their uncut state. To my mind. there is nothing to be com pared with opals. These are a few brought home from India. Perhaps you would like to look at them, Mrs. Bognor."
 They were passed round, amidst a little chorus of admiration.
 "The large one with the blue fire" Peter Ruff remarked, is, think, re- markably beautiful. have never seen stone quite like it."
 {" It is wonderful, murmured the young lady who was sitting at Major Jones's right hand. What a fortu- nate man you are. MT. Ruff, to have such collection of treasuresl
 Peter Ruff bowed across the table. Major Jones, who was beginning to feel that his position as show guest was in danger, thrust his hand into his waistcoat pocket and produced lady's ring, in which was set a single opal.
 "Very pretty stones." he remarked carelessly. but can't say I am very fond of them. Here's one that be- longed to my sister, and my grand mother before her. I have it in my pocket because I was thinking of hay ing the stone reset and making a pres ent of it to a friend of mine"
 Peter Ruffs popularity waned-he had said nothing about making a pres ent to anyone of even the most insig- nificant of his opals. And the one which Major Jones now handed round was certainly a magnificent stone. Peter Ruff examined it with the rest, and under the pretext of studying the setting, gazed steadfastly at the inside through his eyeglass. Major Jones, from the other side of the table, frowned. and held out his hand for the ring.
 A very beautiful stone indeed. Peter Ruff declared. passing it across the tablecloth. Really. do not think that there is one in my little collection to be compared with it. Have you many treasures like this, Major Jones?" ...,
 "Oh, a few," the Major answered carelessly, family heirlooms, most of them"
 You will have to give me the ring, Major Jones'" the young lady on his right remarked archly. It's bad luck, you know, to give 1t to anyone who is not born in October, and my birth day is on the 12th."
 My dear Miss Levey." Major Jones answered, whispering in her ear, more unlikely things have happened than that I should beg your accept ance of this little trifie."
 Sooner or later Peter Ruff said genially, I should like to have little conversation with you. Major. I fancy that we ought to be able to find plenty of subjects of common interest"