The Washington herald., 1912-06-23
III, NEXAgEEN ! IUgEs1 RP PEIERR RgE
BY II Pg-unEIIPg~ " -

is going to produce. Spencer Fitzser
ald!' he exclaimed
'He has promised to" she answered
John she declared, throwing hersel
into an easy chair, II feel horrid abou
/ it. l wonder what Mr.. Ruff will thinl
when he knowsl"
@You can feel how you like" JOIN
4 Dory answered bluntly. so long as
get the handouts on Spencer Fitzger.
AIDS wristsP
She shuddered She looked at hei
husband with distaste.
Listen to me, Maud" he said, rising
to his feet You aren't tool-nol
quite You've spent some time with
Peter Ruff. How much-think careful
ly-how much does he remind you OF
Spencer Fitzgerald"
mot at all" she answered promptly.
John Dory's face fell
Think again" he said.
Can't see any likeness" she declared.
'He did remind me a little Of him just
at first. though" she added, reflective
ly-"little things he said, and sort of
mannerisms"
when is this meeting with .Fitzger-
aid to come off" John Dory asked ab-
ruptly.
Tomorrow night" she said; "he is
TO meet me in Mr.. Ruff's Office"
AT what time" John Dory asked.
AT 8 o'clock Mr.. Ruff is keeping
his Office open late on purpose" Spen-
Ger thinks that afterward he is going
10 take me out to dinner"
you are. sure of this? John Dory
asked eagerly. you are sure that thE
man Ruff does not suspect you? You
believe he means that you shall meet
Fitzgerald"
Il am sure of it," she answered
He is even little jealous" she coutin-
ued, with an affected laugh. HE told
Newell, never mind :"
He told you what'" John Dory ask
ed.
She laughed.
Never you mind" she said. 81 have
done what you asked me, anyway"
John Dory glared, but ne said moth
ing. 1t seemed to him that his hour OF
revenge was close at hand!
There was no denying the fact that
Miss Violet Brown was in a passion.
For an hour she had pleaded, and Peter
Ruff remained unmoved.
you are a fool" she cried at last
in every other way, heaven knows,
you are clever enough; And yet there
comes this vulgar, commonplace, taw-
dry little woman from heaven knows
where, and makes such a fool of you
that you are willing to fling away your
career-to hold wour wrists out for
John Dory's handcuffsw
Peter Ruff sighed
What a pessimist you are, my dear
Violetw he said
She came up to him and laid her
hands upon his shoulders.
Peter" she said, Il will tell you
something-I must! l am fond OF you,
Peter. always have been. Don't
make me miserable if there IS no need
for IL Tell me honestly-do you really
believe in this woman?"
my dear girl" he said, Il believe in
every one until find them out. But, at
the same time, there are always certain
precautions which one takes"
What precautions can you take :"
she cried. Can you sit there and make
yourself invisible? John Dory is not
a fool. The moment he is in this room
with the door closed behind him, it is
the end"
we must hope not" Peter Ruff said
cheerfully.
She turned away from him a little
drearily.
You do not mind if I stay?" she
said. Il am not working tonight. Per-
hapS, later on, / may be of usep
"As you will" he answered you
will excuse me for a lite time, won't
you? ! have some preparations to
make" He left the room and assembled
the stairs to his own apartments.
Eight o'clock was striking when the
door OF Peter Ruff's Offices was softly
opened and closed again. A man in a
SLOUGH hat. and overcoat entered. and
after feeling along the wall for a mo-
ment turned up the electric light. Nio-
let Brown rose from her place with a
little sob.
Peter" she cried. "Peterr
"My name" the newcomer said calm
ly, is Mr.. Spencer Fitzgerald"
"Oh. listen to meW she begged.
There is still time, if you hurry. Please,
please go! Hurry upstairs and put those
things away"
Madam" the newcomer said, Il am
much obliged to you for your interest,
but l think that you are making mis-
take. ] have come here to meet"
He stopped short. There was a soft
knocking at the door. A stihed scream
broke from Violet Browns lips.
1T is too late" she cried. Peter
Peterp
She sank into her chair and covered
her face with her hands. The door was
opened and Maud came in When she
saw who it was who sat in Peter Ruff's
place, she gave a little cry. Perhaps,
after all, she had not believed that this
thing would happen.
Spencer she cried. Spencer Have
YOU really come back"
He held out his hands.
"You are glad to see me?" he asked |
She came slowly forward. The man
rose from his place and came toward |
her with outstretched hands. Then
through the door came John Dory, and !
one caught glimpse Of others behind !
him.
"If my wife is not glad to see you,
Mr.. Spencer Fitzgerald" he said, in a |
tone from which he vainly tried to keep
the note Of triumph, u can assure you !
that 7 am You slipped aWay from me 1