Arizona republican., 1911-01-20
THE ADVENTURES 0F
 MIR. PETER RUFF
By E. Phillips Oppenheim-Delilah
 from Streathsm.
(Copywright, 1909. by the Pearson Pub
 fishing Co.)
(CosfinHed fyosr yssfsy6a1)


 which Peter Ruff had placed for her, and sat fldgeting, for a moment, with the imitation gold purse which she was carrying.
 "I am sure. Mir. Ruff" she said, looking demurely into her lap, " ought not to have come here. I feel terribly guilty. It's such an uncom- fortable sort of position, too, isn't it?"
 "I am sorry that you find it so, l" Peter Ruff said. If there is anything I can do"
 You are very kind" she murmured. half raising her eyes to his and drop ping them again, |" but, you see. we are perfect strangers to one another You don't know me at all, do you? and have only heard of you through the newspapers. You might think all sorts of things about my coming here to make inquiries about a gentleman" :" "I can assure you." Peter Ruff said, sincerely, that you need have no fears-no fears at all. Just speak to me quite frankly. Mir Fitzgerald was friend of yours, was he not?"
 Maud simpered.
 He was more than that" she an- swered. looking down. We were en- gagged to be married"
 Peter Ruff sighed.
 "I knew all about it," he declared. Fitzgerald used to tell me every thing
 You were his friend?" she asked, looking him in the face.
 "I was" Peter Ruff answered fer vently. his best friend, No one was more grieved than I about that-little mistake"
 She sighed.
 "In some ways" she remarked softly. you remind me of him.
 You could scarcely say anything" Peter Ruff murmured, which would give me more pleasure. am flat tered"
 She shook her head.
 It isn't fiattery." she said. tits the truth. You may be a few years older. and Spencer had very nice mustache. which you haven't, but you are really not unlike. MT. Ruff, do tell me where he isi
 Peter Ruff coughed.
 You must remember" he said, that Mir. Fitzgerald's absence was caused by events of a somewhat un- fortunate character"
 "I know all about It." she answered. with a little sigh.
 You can appreciate the fact, there fore" Peter Ruff continued, that as his friend and well-wisher I can scarcely disclose his whereabouts with out his permission. Will you tell me exactly why you want to meet him again?"
 She blushed-looked down and up again-betrayed. in fact, all the signs of confusion which might have been expected from her.
 Must tell you that?" she asked.
 You are married. are you not?" Peter Ruff asked, looking down at her wedding-ring.
 She bit her lip with vexation. What a fool she had been not to take it of! Yes! Well. no-that Is to say" Never mind," Peter Ruff inter- rupted Please don't think that I want to cross-examine you. only asked these questions because I have sincere regard for Fitzgerald. know how fond he was of you. and cannot see what there is to be gained, from his point of view. by reopening old wounds"
 "I suppose, then" she remarked, looking at him in such a manner that Miss Brown had to cover her mouth with her hands to prevent her scream Ing out-"I suppose you are one of those who think it a crime for a wo- man who Is married to even want to see. for a few moments, an old sweet heart?"
 "On the contrary" Peter Ruff an- 5wered, as a bachelor. have no con- victions of any sort upon the subject" She sighed.
 "I am glad of that" she said.
 "I am to understand, then" Peter Ruff remarked. that your reason for wishing to see Mir. Fitzgerald again Is purely sentimental one?"
 "I am afraid 1t is," she murmured; I have thought of him so often lately He was such dear!" she declared, with enthusiasm.
 nave never Dttu thankful" she continued, "that he got away that night At the time, was very angry. but often since then I have wished that I could have passed out with him into the fog and been lost-but I mustn't talk like thisl Please don't misunderstood me. MT. Ruff. am happily married-quite happily married! Peter Ruff sighed.
 My friend Fitzgerald" he re- marked. twill be glad to hear that" Maud fidgeted. It was not quite the 1 effect she had intended to produceI "Of course" she remarked, looking | away with pensive air. one has l regrets" Regrets, Peter Ruff murmured. !! Mir Dory is not we'll of" she con- tinued. and I am afraid that I am ! very fond of life and going about. and | everything Is so expensive nowadays. | Then I don't like his profession. I think it is hateful to be always try i ing to catch people and put them n you. Mir. Ruff?
 Peter Ruff smiled.
 " Naturally" he answered. "Your husband and work from the opposite