The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1911-02-16

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the sort The AFFAIR was arranged
some months ago. and the young lady
is even now in Paris, purchasing her
trousseau."
Monsieur de Founcclles, with q wave
| OF the hand, commanded silence There
was probably way out. In any case.
one must be found.
Monsieur Ruff,' he said, putting
aside, for one moment, your sense OF
honor, which. of course, forbids you
to even consider the possibility OF
breaking your word-supposlng that
the young lady herself should With
draw
" You don't know Miss Brown! I"
Peter Run interrupted
" 1t is a pleasure to which hope to
attain" Monsieur de Founcelles de-
clared. smoothly. Let us consider
once more my proposition. take 1t
for granted that, apart from this
threatened complication, you find it
agreeable?"
II am deeply honored by it, Peter
Ruff declared.
Well. that being So" Monsieur de-
Founcelles said. more cheerfully. We
must see whether we cannot help you.
Tell me, who is this fortunate young
lady-this Miss Brown"
She is young person OF good
birth and some means" Peter Ruff de-
clared. She Is. in small way, an ac-
tress; she has also been my secretary
from the first"
Monsieur de Founcelles nodded his
head thoughtfully.
All! he said. She knows your
secrets. then, presume?"
:" She does.' Peter Ruiz assented.
She knows great deal! "
s. A young person to be ccnciliated
by all means" Monsieur de Founcelles
declared. Well, we must see. When.
Monsieur Ruiz, may have the Oh.
portunity Of making the acquaintance
OF this young LADY,"
Tomorrow morning, or rather
this morning, II you will" Peter Ruff
answered. We are taking breakfast
together at the CATS de Paris. 1t will
give me great pleasure II you will join
u.s.
On the contrary" Monsieur do
Founcelles declared. 81 must beg OF
you slightly to alter your plans. / will
ask you and Mademoiselle to do me
the honor OF breakfasting at the Ritz
with the Marquise de Sogrange and
myself. at the same hour. We shall
ind there more opportunity for q
short discussion
am entirely at your service
Peter Ruiz answered
There were signs now Of breaking
up OF tho little party.
We must all regret, dear Monsieur
Run" Monsieur de FounceIles said. as
he made his adieux, this temporary
obstruction to the contamination OF
our hopes. Let us pray that Made
moiselle will not be unreasonable"
You are very kind" Peter Run
Peter Ruiz drove through the gray
dawn to his hotel, in the splendid an
tomobile Of Monsieur de FouncelIes,
whose homeward route lay In that di-
rection. It was four o'clock when he
accepted his key from the sleepy-look-
Ing clerk, and turned towards the
staircase. The hotel was wrapped in
semi gloom. Sweepers and cleaners
were at work. The palms had been
turned out into the courtyard Dust
sheets lay over the furniture One
person only, save himself and theSun-
tidy-looking servants, was astir.
From distant corner which COM
manded the entrance, he saw Violet
stealing away to the corridor which
led to her part of the hotel She had
sat there all through the night to see
him come into be assured OF his
safety! Peter RUIZ stared after her
figure as one might have
watched ghost.
The luncheon-party was great sue
cess. Peter Ruff WAS human enough to
be proud Of his companion-proud Of
her smartness, which was induhitable
even here. surrounded as they were by
Frenchwomen OF the best class; proud
Of her accent, OF the admiration which
she obviously excited In the two
Frenchmen. His earlier enjoyment OF
the meal was little clouded from
the fact that he felt himself utterly
In the matter Of general ap-
pearance. No tailor had ever sug-
gested to him q coat so daring and yet
SO perfect as that which adorned the
person Of the Marquis de Sogrange.
The deep violet of his tie was a shade
"a true education In color They had
the bearing, too. these Frenchmen!
He watched Monsieur de Founcelles
bending over Violet, and he was sud-
denly conscious OF wholly new sensa-
ton. He did not recognize-could not
even classify 1t. He only knew that it
was not altogether pleasant, and that
1t set the warm blood tingling through
his veins
1t was not until they were sitting
out in the winter garden. taking their
coffee and liquenrs that the object of
their meeting was referred to. Then
Monsieur de Founcelles drew Violet a
little away from the others. and the
Marquis, with meaning smile, took
Peter Ruff's arm and led him on one
side Monsieur de Founcelles wasted
no words at ell.
Mademoiselle, he said, Monsieur
Ruff has doubtless told you that last
night made him the offer of a great