Arizona republican., 1911-01-25
THE ADVENTURES OF
 MIR PETER RUFF
By E. Phillips Oppenheim-Delilah
 from Streatham.
(Copywright, 1909. by the Pearson Pub
 fishing Co)
(c..iisssS JJ.s. ,s,fs,Asy)

 l book-shop, who leapt out of the win dow of Daisy Villa two years ago. Il may be MT. James Fitzgerald now
 Gentlemen of your profession have 6 knack of changing their names" My professions as good as yours anywayi" the little man exclaimed e We aren't all fools in 1t! My friend MT. Peter Ruff said to me that there was young lady whom I used to know who was anxious to meet me again and would I step round here about eight o'clock Here I am, and all can say is. if that's the young lady, never saw her before in my life" There was a moments breathless si lence Then the door was softly opened. Violet Brown went staggering back like a woman who sees a ghost. She bit her lips till the blood came. It was Peter Run who stood looking in upon them-Peter Run carefully dressed in evening clothes. his silk hat at exactly the correct angle, his coat and white kid gloves upon his arm.
 Dear me-" he said, you don't seem to be getting on very well! MT. Dory," he added, with a note of surprise in his tone. this is indeed an unex- pected pleasure! !"
 The man who stood by the desk turned to him. The others were stricken dumb.
 Look here." he said, there's some mistake. You told me to come here at eight o'clock to meet a young lady whom I used to know. Well, l never saw her before in my life" he added. pointing to Maud. There's a man there who wants to arrest me-LOrd knows what for! And here's Miss Brown, whom I have seen at the the ater several times, but who never con descended to speak to me before. tell ing me not to shooti Whats it all about. Ruff? Is it practical joke?"
 Peter Ruff laid down his coat and hat. and sat upon the table with his hands in his pockets.
 Is it possible" he said, that l have made a mistake? Isn't your sec. ond name Spencer?
 The man shook his head.
 My name is James Fitzgerald" he said. "I haven't missed a day at the Shaftesbury Theater for three years, as you can find out by going round the corner. l never called myself Spencer, l was never in a book-shop, and l never saw that lady before in my life"
 Maud came out from her place against the wall, and leaned eagerly forward. John Dory turned his head slowly towards his wife. A sickening fear had risen in his gripped him by the throat. Fooled once more. and by Peter Ruffi
 1t isn't Spencer Maud said huskily. MT. Ruff" she added, turn ing to him, you know very we'll that this is not the MT. Spencer Fitzgerald whom you promised to bring here to- night-Mr. Spencer Fitzgerald to whom was once engaged"
 Peter Ruff pointed to the figure of her husband.
 Madam" he said. my invitation did not include your husband"
 John Dory took a step forward, and laid his hands upon the shoulders of the man who called himself MT. James Fitzgerald. He looked into his face long and carefully Then he turned away, and, gripping his wife by the arm. he passed out of the room. The door slammed behind him. The sound of heavy footsteps were heard descend ing to the floor below.
 Violet Brown crossed the room to where Peter Ruff was still sitting with a queer look upon his face, and, grip ping him by the shoulders, shook him.
 " How dare you! she exclaimed. " How dare you. Do you know that l have nearly cried my eyes out?"
 Peter Ruff came back from the world into which, for the moment, his thoughts had taken him.
 " Violet" he said, you have known me for some years. You have been my for some months. If you choose still to take me for a fool, I cannot help It."
 But" she exclaimed, pointing to Mir. James Fitzgerald-
 Peter Run nodded.
 have been practising on him for some time" he said, with an air of A thin, mobile face, vou see, and plenty of experience in he art of making up. It is astonish- ng what one can do if one tries"
 Mir. James Fitzgerald picked up his nat and coat.
 e was worth more than five quid," le growled; when I saw the hand i :uffs in that fellows hand, I felt a old shiver go down my spine" Peter Ruff counted out two bank totes and passed them to his confed- ! rate.
 You have earned the money" he | aid. "Go and spend 1t. Perhaps, | Violet." he added. turning towards her, l have been a little inconsiderate. | 'ome and have dinner with me. and orget it."
 She drew little sigh