Arizona republican., 1911-02-16
THE ADVENTURES OF
MR.. PETER BUFF
BY E. Phillips oppenheim-The Per-
fidy of Miss Brown.
Copyright, 1909, BY the Pearson Pub
fishing Co.
(Continued from Yesterday

She nodded.
THAT is exactly my price," she de-
clared.
For giving up Peter RUM" he
gasped.
She looked at her employer thought
fully.
He doesn't look worth it, does
he?" she said, with a queer little
smile. Il happen to care for him,
though-that's ALL"
Monsieur de Founcelles shrugged his
shoulders. He knew men and women,
and for the present he accepted de-
feat. He sighed heavily.
81 congratulate my friend. and l
envy him." he said. II ever you
should change your mind, Mademoi-
selle-"
1T is our privilege, isn't it?" she
remarked, with a brilliant smile. II
do, shall certainly let you know"
On the way home, Peter Ruff was
genial-Miss Brown was silent. He
had escaped from a difficult position,
and his sense of gratitude toward his
companion was strong. He showed
her many little attentions on the voy-
age which sometimes escaped him.
From Dover, they had carriage to
themselves.
Peter" Miss Brown said, after he
had made her comfortable, when Is
it to be?"
when is what to be?" he asked.
puzzled.
Our marriage" she answered. look
ing at him for a moment in a most
bewildering fashion and then suddenly
dropping her eyes.
Peter Ruff returned her gaze IN
blank amaZement.
"What do you mean, Violet" he
exclaimed.
Just what say" she answered.
composedly. when are we going 10
be married."
Peter RUIZ frowned.
What nonsense. he said. 1--WE
are not going to be married. You
know that Qnits we'll"
"Oh, no, / DON'T" she declare.
smiling at him in a heavenly fashion.
" AT your request I have told Monsieur
de Founcelles that we were engaged.
incidentally, | have refused two hun
bred and fifty thousand francs and, /
believe. an admirer, for your sake. /
declared that / was going to marry
you, and must keep my word"
Peter Ruff began TO feel giddy.
Look here, Violet" he said, you
know very well that we arranged all
that between ourselves
Arranged all Ihat?" she repeated.
with little laugh. Perhaps we did.
You asked me to marry you, and you
have posed as my fianoe. You kept it
up just as long as IL suited you-it
suits me to keep it up 4 little longer"
Do you mean TO say-do you seFi-
ously mean that you expect me to
marry your" he asked. aghast.
al do" she admitted Il have
meant you to for some time, Peter,
She was very alluring, and Peter
Ruff hesitated. She held out her
muff fell TO the floor. She had raised
her veil, and faint perfume Of violets
stole into the carriage. Her lips were
a little parted, her eyes were saying
unutterable things.
You don't want me 10 sue you, do
you, Peter?" she murmured
Peter Ruff sighed-and yielded.
The woman who had been Peter
Rufus first love had fallen upon evil
days. Her prettiness was On the wane
powder and rouge, Int hours, and
excuses of many kinds. had played
havoc with 1t, even in these few
months. Her clothes vera ahcwy but
cheap. Her boots themselves, unclean
and down at the heel, told tie story.
She stood upon the threshold OF Peter
Ruff's Office. and looked half oeaantly,
half doubtfully at Violet, who Yves its
sole occupant.
Can / do anything for you?" the
latter asked, noticing the woman's
hesitation.
Il want to see Mr.. Ruiz" the visitor
said.
Mr.. Run is out at present." Violet
answered.
When will he be In ?"
cannot tell you," Violet said.
Perhaps you had better leave a mes
sage. Or will you call again? Mr..
Run Is very uncertain In his move
ments."
Maud sank into a chair.
"Pll wait" she declared.
am not sure" Violet remarked.
raising her eyebrows, whether that
viii be convenient There may be
other clients In. Mr.. Ruff himself may
not be back for several hours"
Are you his secretary" Maud
asked, without moving.
Il am his secretary and also his
wife," Violet declared.
The woman raised herself a little in
her chair.
Some people have all the luck"
she muttered. Its only a few
months ago that Mr.. Run was glad
enough to take me out You remem-
Der when l used TO come here?"
remember" Violet assented.
was all right then" the woman
continued, land now-now I'm down
and out" she added, with a little sob.
You see what am like. You look
as though you didn't care to have me
In the Office, and don't wonder at IL.
You look as though you were afraid
I'd come to beg. and you are right
have come to beg"
am sure Mr.. Ruff will do what he
can for you" Violet said. al
though"
/ see yoa know all about it." Maud
interrupted. with a hard little laugh.
came once TO wheedle information
out OF him. | came to try and betray
the only man who ever really cared
for me. Mr.. Ruff was too clever. and
| am thankful for It. I have been as
big a fool as woman can be, but