The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1911-02-07
~ 3. rHfxLses o1eE~,sEs~
The Little Lady from
Serviia
cerrsrcHr. 1922. ny TN. PEARSON PUBLISHING co.
tcsrfisme9 Jyew y<st<,day)


looking behind as they passed, her
pursuer saw her open the door with
latch-key, and disappear. Peter
Ruff pulled the check-string and de-
scended. For several moments he
stood and observed the house into
which the lady whom he had been
following had disappeared. Then he
turned to the driver.
81 want you to watch that house."
he said, never take your, eyes off
1t. When l reappear from it, If do
at all, shall probably be in hurry
Directly you see me be on your box
ready to start. A good deal may de-
pend on our getting away quickly"
Very good, SIR the man answered.
How long am to wait here for
you?"
Peter Rufus lips twisted into
curious little smile.
Until two o'clock" he answered
II am not out by then, you needn't
bother any more about me. You can
return and tell your mistress exactly
what has happened"
Hadn't I better come and try and
get you out, sir?" the man asked.
Begging your pardon, but Her Lady
ship told me that there might be queer
doings. I'm bit useful in a scrap,
SIR" he added. :" I do bit of spar
ring regularly"
Peter Ruiz shook his head.
II there's any scrap at ALL" he
said, you had better be out of it.
Do as have said"
The motor car had turned round and
disappeared now, and in a few mo-
ments Peter Ruff stood before the
door OF the house into which the little
lady had disappeared The problem Of
entrance was already solved for him.
The door had been left unattached;
only footstool had been placed
against it inside. Peter Ruff, with
out hesitation, pushed the door softly
| open and entered, replaced the foot
| stool in its former position, and stood
| with his back to the wall, In the dark
est corner of the hall, looking around
him-listening intently. Nearly OPP
| posite, the door of q room stood ajar.
1t was apparently lit up, but there
was no sound Of any one moving in
| side. Upstairs, in one of the rooms
on the first floor, he could hear light
footsteps woman's voice humming
song. He listened to the first few
bars, and understanding became easier.
| Those first few bars were the opening
! ones Of the Servian national anthem!
With an effort. Peter Ruff concen-
1 trated his thoughts upon the imme-
date present The little lady was up
stairs. The servants had apparently
| retired for the night. He crept up to
the half-open door and peered III. The
room, as he had hoped to find 1t, was
empty, but Madame's easy chair was
drawn up to the fire, and some coffee
I stood upon the hob Stealthiiy Peter
Ruff crept in and glanced around, seek
ing for hiding-place. A movement
upstairs fastened his decision. He
pushed aside the massive curtains
which separated this from connect
Ing room. He had scarcely done SC
when light footsteps were heard de-
scending the stairs.
Peter Ruff found his hiding place
all that could have been desired. This
secondary room itself was almost In
darkness, but he was just able to ap-
preciate the comforting fact that II
possessed separate exit into the hall
Through the folds of the curtain he
had complete view OF the further
apartment. The little lady had
changed her gown OF stiff white satir
for one of flimsier material. and, seated
In the easy-chair, she was busy pour
ing herself out some coffee. She tool
cigarette from silver box and
lighting it, curled herself up In the
chair and composed herself as though
to listen. To her as we'll as to Petel
Ruff, as he crouched in his hiding
place, the moments seemed to pas!
, slowly enough. Yet, az he realized
afterward. 1t could not have been tel
, minutes before she sat upright in {
listening attitude. There was som'
one coming! Peter Ruff, too, heard {
mans firm footsteps come up thu
tagged stones.
The little lady sprang to her feet.
Paul! /" she exclaimed.
Paul Jermyn came slowly to NEE
her. He seemed little out Of breath
His tie was all disarranged and hi
collar unfastened. The little lady
however, noticed none of these things
, she looked only into his face.
Have you got IT." she asked
eagerly.
TO luTuSL hIb ldbu ihlO LID VI CdSl
coat pocket, and held an envelope on
toward her.
sure!" he answered. al prom
: Used! !"
She gave little sob, and with tn,
, packet in her hand came running
, straight toward the spot where Pete
Ruff was hiding. He shrank back al
far az possible. She stopped jus
short OF the curtain, opened thu
drawer of table which stood there
! and slipped the packet in. Then sb'
. came back once more to where Pau
, Jermyn was standing.
: Ny friend. she cried. holding on
/, her hands" my dear, dear friend
, Shall ever be able to thank yol
enough"
Why, if you try" he answered
smiling, think that yon could! .
She laid her hand upon his arm;
little caressing, foreign gesture.
Tell me-" she said. how did yol
manage it,"