Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1911-02-05
THE ADVENTURES OF
MR.. PETER RUFF
BY &. Phillips oppenheim-Mrs. Bog
nor's Star Boarder.
Copyright. 1909. by the Pearson Pub
fishing Col


he undertook and some of which he re-
fused. she had also to keep his cash
book, a note of his investments and a
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 fat?"
Quite WELL" he answered, but 1t
is a subject to which / prefer that you
do not allude."
II will be careful" she answered.
81 only spoke OF It 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
IL It has ever occurred to you that
your work has not proceeded upon the
lines which you first indicatedl
He nodded.
Il think I know what you mean,"
he said. GO on
That night" she murmured softly.
you spoke as a hunted man; you
spoke as one at war with Society; you
spoke as one who proposes almost a
campaign against 1t. When you took
your rooms here and called yourself
Peter Run, II was rather in your mind
TO aid the criminal than 10 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. Ii is because. at the bottom OF
your heart. there turks a strong and
unconQuerable desire for respectable
ity. In your heart you are on the side
OF the law and established things.
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
coal-merchant's daughter. | can see
that you will end your days in the
halo OF responsibility"
Peter Run was a little thoughtful
He scratched his chin and contem-
plated the tip of his faultless patent
boot. Self-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 / hear OF
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. ! 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-
lieve. as | really am"
THAT being So" she remarked,
What are you going to say to Sir
Richard Dyson?"
Peter Ruff was fra X.
Upon my SOUL" he answered, al
don't know!"
You'll have to make I'D your mind
very SOON" she reminded him. "HG
is coming here at twelve o'clock"
Peter Ruff nodded
81 shall wait until hear what he
has TO say" he remarked.
His letter gave you a pretty clear
hint" Violet said. that it was some
thing outside the law"
THE law has many outposts."
Peter Ruff said. lone can thread
ropes. | don't like the man, but he
never had any clothes like those he
has made me-"
She sighed.
"You are a vain little person." she
said.
+" You are an impertinent young wo- |
mani" he answered. Get back TO
your work. Don't you hear the lift |
stop?"
She rose reluctantly, and resumed |
her place In front of her desk.
II it's risky" she whispered, lean
ng round towards him, don't you |
AXE II on. I've heard one or two |
hings about Sir Richard lately"
Peter Ruff nodded He, too, quilted |
his easy-chair, and took up a bundle |
If papers which lay upon his desk. !
There was a sharp tap at the door.
Come in! he said.
Sir Richard Dyson entered. He was |
dressed quietly. but with the perfect |
aste which was obviously an instinct !
With him. and he wore big bunch of |
toilets in his buttonhole Neverthe- !
ess, the spring sunshine seemed to
Ind out the lines In his face. His
yes were baggy-he had aged even
within the last few months.
Well. Mr.. Ruff" he said, shaking
lands, :. how goes IT,"
al am very well. Sir Richard"
'eter Ruff answered Please take a
hair"
Sir Richard took the easy-chair. and
discovering box Of cigarettes upon
ne table. helped himself Then his
yes fell upon Miss Brown.
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