The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1911-02-10
The Adventures
Mr.. Peter Ruff
~ :. .4,ILses o.1ExHx,as
Mrs. Bognor' Star Boarder
corrs1eHr. 1909. ~ rHn rnAssos rv..lsHIsa Co

COPYRIGHT. 1909. By THE PEARSON PUBLISHING co.
In these days, the duties of Miss
Brown as Peter Rufus secretary had
become multifarious. Together with
the transcribing of a vast number OF
notes concerning cases. some of which
he undertook and some of which he re-
fused, she had also to keep his cash
book, a note of his investments and
record of his social engagements. Not
withstanding all these demands upon
her time, however. there were occa-
sions when she found herself, Of ne
cessity, idle. In one of these she
preached the subject which had often
been in her mind. They were alone.
and not expecting callers. Conse-
quently, she sat upon the hearthrug
and addressed her employer by his
Christian name.
Peter she said softly, " do you
remember the night when you came
through the fog and burst into. my
little fiat?"
Quite WE'LL. he answered. but 1t
is a subject to which prefer that you
do not allude.
II will be careful. she answered.
~ only spoke of 1t for this reason.
Before you left, when we were sitting
together, you sketched out the career
which you proposed for yourself In
many respects, suppose, you have
been highly successful, but wonder
if it has ever occurred to you that
your work has not proceeded upon the
lines which you first indicated"
He nodded.
Il think I know what you mean"
he said " Go on"
That night" she murmured softly.
you spoke as hunted man; you
spoke as one at war with Society; you
spoke as one who proposes almost
campaign against It. When you took
your rooms here and called yourself
Peter Ruff, it was rather in your mind
to aid the criminal than to detect the
crime Fate seems to have decreed
otherwise. Why, / wonder"
Things have gone that way" Peter
Run remarked.
Il will tell you why she contin-
ned. .rft is because, at the bottom OF
your heart, there turks strong and
uncomfortable desire for respectable
ity. In your heart you are on the side
of the nav and established things.
You do not like crime; you do not like
criminals. You do not like the idea
of associating with them. You prefer
the company OF law-abiding people,
even though their ways be narrow. 1t
was part OF that sentiment, Peter.
which led you to fall In love with a
coal-merchant's daughter. can see
that you will end your days in the
halo OF responsibility.
Peter Ruff was little thoughtful.
He scratched his chin and contem-
plated the tip of his faultless patent
boot. Sef-analysis interested him,
and he recognized the truth OF the
girls words.
:" You know, am rather like that,
he admitted When / see a family
party. envy them. When I hear OF
a man who has brothers and sisters
and aunts and cousins, and gives fam
lily dinner-parties TO family friends,
envy him. | do not care about the
loose ends of life. l do not care about
restaurant life, and ladies who trans
fer their regards with the same facil-
ity that they change their toilettes
You have very admirable powers Of
observation. Violet. You see me, be-
lieye, as ] really am.
That being SO" she remarked
what are you going to say to SiI
Richard Dyson?"
Peter Ruff was frank.
Upon my SOUL" he answered, q
don't know! .
You'll have to make up your minf
very soon, she reminded him. HI
is coming here at twelve o'clock"
Peter Ruff nodded.
81 shall wait until hear what h
has to say" he remarked.
His letter gave you a pretty clea