Arizona republican., 1911-01-16

oDleeu 10 you, MISS shaw. belleVe MT
that you have my sincere sympathy!
Peter Rufus farewell words we're un
heard. Lefty had fallen forward in hel
chair, her head buried in her hands.
Peter Ruff went to Berkeley Square
and found Lady Mary waiting for him
Sir William Trenchan, the great soil
citor. was with her. Lady Mary in
troduced the two men. All the time
she was anxiously watching Ruff &
face.
Mr.. Ruff has been TO see Miss
! Shaw" she explained to Sir William
Mr.. Ruiz, tell me quickly" she con-
tinued, with her hand upon his Shout
der, did she say anything? Did you
find anything out?"
He shook his head.
No! he said. Il found nothing
out?"
You don't think. then" Lady Mary
gasped, that there is any chance
OF getting her to contestant she did
it herself"
I. why should she have done It her
self? Peter RUIZ asked. She admits
that the man tried to make love 10
her. She simply left him. She was in
her own home, with her mother and
servant within call. There was no
struggle in the room-we know that.
There was no necessity for any"
Have you made any other in
quiries? Lady Mary asked.
mi ii. 10
Peter Run answered gravely, point
all in the same direction. / ascer-
tanned at the Milan that your brother
called there late last night, and that
he heard Miss Shaw had been supping
alone with Austen Abbott. He fol-
lowed them home. have ascertained.
too, that he had key TO Miss Shaw's
fiat He apparently met Austen Abb
bott upon the threshold"
Lady Mary covered her face with
her hands. She seemed to read In
Rufus words the verdict OF the two
men-the verdict Of common sense.
Nevertheless, he made one more re-
quest before leaving.
81 should like to see Captain Soth-
erst, if you can get me an order" he
said to Sir William.
You can go with me tomorrow
morning." the lawyer answered. The
proceedings this morning, of course,
were simply formal. Until after the
inquest it will be easy to arrange an
interview"
Lady Mary looked up quickly.
There is still something in your
mind, them" she answered. "You
think that there is a bare chancel "
There is always the hundredth
chance! Z" Peter Ruff replied.
Peter Ruff and Miss Brown supped
at the Milan that night as they had
arranged, but 1t was not a cheerful
evening. Brian Sotherst had been very
popular amongst Lefty Shaw's little
circle of friends. and the general feel
ing was one Of horror and consterna-
ton at this thing which had befallen
him. Austen Abbott, too, was known
to all of them, and although a good
many OF the men-and even the wo-
men-were outspoken enough to de-
clare at once that IL served him right.
nevertheless the shock of death
death without a seconds warning
had a paralyzlng effect even upon
those who were his severest critics.
Violet Brown spoke TO q few of her
friends-introduced Peter Ruff here
and there-but nothing was said which
could throw in any way even the
eli ~ - t1hN ha
tragedy. II all seemed too hopelessly
and fatally obvious.
About twenty minutes before closing
time the hd6itueS of the place were
provided with something In the nature
Of a sensation. A little party entered
who seemed altogether free from the
general air of gloom. Foremost
amongst them was very young and
exceedingly pretty girl. with light
golden hair waved in front of her fore
head, deep blue eyes, and the slight
airy figure of child. She was accom-
panied by another young woman,
whose appearance was little too OBJ
vious to be prepossessing. and three
or four young men-dark. clean,
shaver, dressed with the irritating ex
aetness of their class-young stock
brokers or boys about town. Miss
Browns eyes grew very wide open.
What little beast!" she ex-
claimed.
"Who?" Peter Ruff asked.
That pretty girl there" she an
swered -" Fluffy Dean her name is.
She is Lefty Shaw's prote06e, and she
wouldnt have dreamed of allowing her
to have come out with a crowd like
that. Tonight, OF all nights" she
continued. Indignantly, when Lefty
is away .
Peter Ruff was interested.
So that is Miss Fluffy Dean" he
remarked, looking at her curiously.
She seems a little excited"
She's a horrid little wretch, Miss
Brown declared. Il hope that some
one will tell Lefty. and that she will
drop her now. A girl who would do
such a thing as that when Lefty Is in
such trouble, isn't worth taking care
Of! Just listen TO them all!