Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1911-01-19
THE ADVENTURES OF
MR.. PETER RUFF
BY E. Phillips Oppenheim-Delilah
from Streatham.
Copyright. 1909. by the Pearson Pub
fishing Coz

glance at the headlines ana rev Vi
the spiciest paragraphs, a vague look
at the leading article, and the sheets
were thrown away to make room for
more interesting literature. 1t was
not so with Peter Ruff. Novels he
very seldom read-he did not. in fact.
appreciate the necessity for their ex-
istence The whole epitome of mod
ern life was, he argued, to be found
amongst the columns OF the daily
press. The police news, perhaps, was
his favorite study, but he did not neg
lect the advertisements. II followed.
therefore, as matter of sourse. that
the appeal OF M in the personal
column of the Daily Mail was read by
him on the morning OF its appearance
read not once only nor twice-it was
a paragraph which had its own Pc
culiar interest for him.
"Mr. Spencer Fitzgerald. II still in
England, is requested to communicate
with M. at Vagali's Library, Cooks
Alley, Ledham Street, Soho"
Peter Run laid the paper down upon
his desk and looked steadily at box
of india-rubber bands. Almost his
fingers, as he parted with the news
paper, had seemed 10 be shaking. His
eyes were certainly set in an unusually
retrospective stare. Who was this who
sought to probe his past. to renew an
acquaintance with a dead personality?
an" could be but one person? What
did she want of him? Was IL pos
sible that. after all. little fame OF
sentiment had been kept alight In her
bosom, too-that in the quiet moments
her thoughts had turned towards him
as his had so often done to her? Then
sudden idea-an ugly thought
drove the tenderness from his face.
She was no longer Maud Barnes-she
was Mrs. John nory. and John Dory
was his enemy. Could there be treach-
cry lurking beneath those simple
lines? Things had not gone well with
John Dory lately. Somehow or other,
mis- cases seemed TO have crumpled
into dust. He was no longer held III
the same esteem at headquarters.
Yet could even John Dory stoop TO
such means as these?
He turned in his chair.
Miss Brown" he said. please
take your pencil"
81 am quite ready, sir" she an
swered.
He marked the advertisement with
a ring and passed II to her.
Reply to that as follows" he said:
Dear Sir:
81 notice in the Daily Mail Of this
morning that you are inquiring
through the personal column for
the whereabouts OF Mr.. Spencer FitZ-
gerald. That gentleman has been
client of mine, and l have been in oc-
casional communication with him.
II you will inform me of the nature of
your business, may. perhaps, be able
to put you in touch with Mr.. Fitzger-
aid. You will understand. however,
that, under the circumstances, ! shall
require proofs of your good faith.
Truly yours.
Peter RUIZ"
Miss Brown glanced through the ad-
vertisement and closed her notebook
with a little snap.
did you say Dear Sff'" she
asked.
Certainly! Peter Ruff answered.
And you really mean." she con-
tinued, with obvious disapproval.
" that | am to send this?"
al do not usually waste my time
Peter Ruff reminded her, mildly, "by
giving you down communications des-
tined for the waste-paper basket"
She turned unwillingly to her ma
chine.
MIR. Fitzgerald is very much better
where he Is" she remarked.
That depends" he answered.
She adjusted a sheet Of paper into
her typewriter.
Who do you suppose NJ is?" she
asked.
with your assistance" Peter Ruff
little sarcastically-"w with
your very kind assistance propose
to find OUT"
Miss Brown shifted. and banged at
the keys Of her typewriter.
THAT coal-dealer's girl from Streat-
ham, she murmured to herself.
A few politely worded letters we're
M" declined to reveal
her identity. but made an appointment
TO visit Mr.. Ruff at his Office The
she was expected he wore an
entirely new suit OF clothes and was
palpably nervous. Miss Brown, who
had arrived a little late, sat with her
back turned upon him, and ignored
even his usual morning greeting. The
atmosphere of the Office was decidedly
chilly! Fortunately, the expected |
visitor arrived early.
Peter Ruff arose to receive his for |
mer sweetheart with an agitation per- |
force concealed. yet to him poignant |
indeed. For II was indeed Maud who |
entered the room and came towards |
him with carefully studied embarrass- !!
ment and half doubtfully extended |
hand. He did not see the cheap mil |
linery, the slightly more developed |
figure. the passing of that insipid |
Drettiness-which had once charmed |
the bloom Of an over early |
His eyes were blinded with
hat sort OF masculine chivalry-the
heritage only of fools and very clever
men-which takes no note OF such |
hings. 1t was Miss Brown who, from |
her place in the corner OF the room, |
an over the cheap attractions Of this