Arizona republican., 1911-01-31
THE ADVENTURES IF
 MR. PETER RUFF
By E. Phillips oppenheim-The De-
 mand of the Double Four
(copywright, 1909. by the Pearson Pub
 fishing Col

It was about this time that Peter Ruff found amongst his letters one morning a highly-scented little mis- sive, addressed to him in a handwrit- ing with which he had once been fa- miliar. He looked at 1t for several moments before he opened it. Even as the paper cutter slid through the top of the envelope, he felt that he had already divined the nature of its con tents.
 Frivolity Theater,
 March 10th Ny dear Mr. Ruf:
 expect that you will be surprised to hear from me again, but do hope that you will not be annoyed know that l behaved very horribly a little time ago. but it was not altogether my fault, and l have been more sorry fer it than 1 can tell you-in fact, John and have never been the same since and for the present, at any rate. have left him and have gone on the stage. A lady whom knew got me place in the chorus here. and so far I like it immensely.
 Won't you come and meet me after the show tomorrow night. and I will tell you all about it? l should like so much to see you again.
 Maud"
 Peter Ruff placed this letter in his kaf xFif Ql from his secretary's notice He felt. however. very, little pleasure at the invitation 1t conveyed He hesitated for some time. in fact, whether to ac- cept it or not Finally, after his mod est dinner that evening, he bought a stall for the Frivolity and watched the piece. The girl whom he had come to see was there in the second row of the chorus. but she certainly did not look at her best in the somewhat scant costume required by the part. She showed no signs whatever of any special ability-neither her dancing nor her singing seemed to entitle her to any consideration. She carried her self with certain amount of self consciousness. and her eyes seemed perpetually fixed upon the occupants
 
 glasses with something between a sigh and groan- There was something to him inexpressibly sad in the sight of his old sweetheart so transformed. so utterly changed from the prim. some what genteel young person who had accepted his modest advances with such ladylike diffidence. She seemed. indeed, to have lost those very gifts sok AaI o4e fol theless. he kept his appointment at the stage-door.
 She was amongst the first to come out, and she greeted him warmly almost noisily. With her new pro fession, she seemed to have adopted a different and certainly more fam boyant department.
 "I thought you'd come tonight" she declared, with an arch look. "I felt certain l saw you in the stalls. You are going to take me 10 supper, aren't you? Shall we go to the Milan?"
 Peter Ruff assented without enthu- siasm. handed her into a hanson. and took his place beside her. She wore a very large hat. untidily put on; some of the paint seemed still to be upon her face; her voice, too, seemed 10 have become louder, and her manner more assertive. There were obvious indications that she no longer consid cred brandy and soda hn unladylike beverage. Peter Ruff was not pleased with himself or proud of his com panion.
 You'll take some wine?" he sug- ad aff ha rrrffh a few hints from her.. a somewhat ex- tensive supper.
 Champagne" she answered. decid- edly. I've got quite used to it, now a-days." she went on. "I could laugh you first took me out"
 Tell me-" Peter Ruff said, "why you have left your husband?"
 She laughed.
 Because he was dull and because he was cross" she answered, and because the life down at Streatham was simply intolerable. think 1t was a little your fault, too" she said, mak- ing eyes at him across the table. You gave me a taste of what life was like outside Streatham, and I never forgot it."
 feter hun ulu uOt reSpOnd-ne led the conversation. indeed, into other channels. On the whole, the supper was scarcely a success. Maud. who was growing to consider herself some thing of Bohemian. and who cer- tainly looked for some touch of senti- ment on the part of her old admirer. was annoyed by the quiet deference with which he treated her. She re- preached him with it once. bluntly
 {" Say" she exclaimed. you don't seem to want to be so friendly as you did, You haven't forgiven me yet, I suppose?"
 Peter Ruff shook his head
 It is not that" he said. "but think that you have scarcely done a wise thing in leaving your husband. I cannot think that this life on the stage is good for you
 She laughed. scornfully.
 We'll" she said. "I never thought to have you preaching at me.
 They finished their supper. Maud .ooonfo1 of ond dfd hor ho-&