The Washington herald., 1912-07-07

note. 1t bore FAINT perfume, II nad
coronet upon the flap of the envelope,
and IT was written in delicate fem
mime handwriting.
| Dear Mr.. Ruff. II you are not too
tired with your journey, will you call
soon after / o'clock to meet some old
friends. BLANCHE de MAUPAssiM.
Peter Ruff went up to his rooms. and
! made a careful toilet Then he sent a
! page I'D for Violet, who came down
within few minutes. She was dressed
| with apparent simplicity in high-neck-
ed gown, a large hat, and single
rope of pearls. In place of the usual
| gold purse, she carried small white
satin bag, exquisitely hand-painted.
Everything about her bespoke that ele-
giant restraint so much feature of the
Partisan woman of fashion herself.
Peter Ruff, who had told her to pre-
pare for supping out. was struck by
the simplicity of her attire
They went to Cafe de Paris, where
they were the first arrivals. There was
between them, toward the end of the
meal, something which amounted almost
to nervousness.
"You are going to keep your appoint
ment tonight, Peter?' his companion
asked.
"As soon as I have taken you home"
he said, 81 shall probably return late,
so we will breakfast here tomorrow
morning. if you like, at 1880 o'clock.
| will send a note TO your room when
| am ready"
She looked him in the eyes.
"Peten" she said, "supposing that
, note doesn't GOMEZ"
He shrugged his shoulders.
MY dear Violet" he said, you and
I-or rather /, for you are not con-
cerned. in this-live life which is a
little different from the lives of most
OF the people around us. The million
pay their taxes, and they expect police
protection in times of danger. For me
there is no such resource. My life has
its own splendid oompensations. | have
weapons with which to fight any or
binary danger What / want to explain
to YOU is this-that if you hear no more
of me, you can do nothing. II that
note does not come to you in the morn,
ing, you can do nothing. Wait here for
three days, and after that go back to
England You will find a letter on
your desk, telling you there exactly
what to do"
They drove back to the hotel almost
in silence. Their parting in the lobby
was Unconditional enough. For moment
Peter Ruff had hesitated while her hand
had lain in his. He had opened his
lips as though he had something to say.
Her eyes grew suddenly softer-seemed
to seek his as though begging for those
unspoken words. But Peter Ruff did
not say them then.
'T shall be back all right" he said
Good night. Violet! Sleep WE'LL"
He turned back toward the waiting
taxicab. Il
Number IS, Rue de St. Quintaine,'
he told the man.
In less than quarter OF an hour
Peter Ruff presented himself before a
handsome white house in a quiet, aris-
tocratic-looking street At his sum-
mons, the postern door few open, and
a man-servant in plain livery stood at
the second entrance.
Mime. la Marquise?" Peter Ruff
asked.
The man bowed in silence, and took |
the visitors hat and overcoat. He
passed along a spacious hall and into a
delightfully."- furnished reception room, |
where an old lady with gray hair sat in
the midst of little circle of men. She |
held out her hands.
1T is Monsieur Peter Ruff. is it not?
At last. then, l am gratihed. / have
wished for so long to see one who has
become so famous"
Peter Ruff took her hands in his and |
raised them CALAMITY to his lips.
Madame" he said, this is a pleas
ure indeed. At my last visit here, you |
were in Italy"
q grow old" she answered. 81 leave
Paris, but now. Where one has lived. |
one should at least be content to die"
Madame speaks a philosophy" Peter
Ruff answered, which as yet she has
no need. 10 learn"
There were others who took Peter
Ruff by the hand then; he found him.
self Hospitality entertained with both |
small talk and refreshments. But every
now and then his eyes wandered back
to where Madame sat in her chair, her
hair as white as snow-beautiful still,
in spite of the cruel mouth and the
narrow eyes.
"She is wonderful" he murmured to
a man who stood by his side.
"She is eighty-six," was the answer
in whisper, "and she knows every
thing"
As the clock struck two, a tall foot
man entered the room and wheeled
Madame's chair away. Several of the
guests left at the same time Ruff, when
the door was closed, counted those who
remained As he had imagined would
be the case, he found that there were
eight.
A tall, gray-bearded man, who from
the first had attached himself to Ruff.
and who seemed to act as a sort of