The daily morning Alaskan., 1902-03-16
FOR
 CALIFORNIA.

t but himself, for he was one or those honest. retiring. soft hearted natures that never tell of their finer feelings.
 Discouraged by his small chances of success. for Edna. like most pretty girls. was bii of flirt. Peter accepted q profitable offer to go to California and leave Port Raynor.
 Peter was scarcely missed in the social gatherings that made the summer houses pleasant at Port Raynor, but Edna won dcred what made them all so suddenly dull to her.
 She had plenty of attention from her old friends and neighbors and from all the visitors who saw her pretty face and | graceful movements. But her hero did not appear. and Peter Jones was In Cal ifornia.
 He was growing rich In California. Mir. | Fletcher said. being a good business man. with q fine opportunity made for him by the firm which had sent him out. He would find some fair. gentle girl who was not petulant and would give the re- turn he deserved for his love and devo- ton. and he would marry her. of course. | and never come back 10 Port Raynor. And here the sigh would have its way.
 Mrs Fletcher vas surprised that at 2l Edna. the most attractive girl at Port Raynor. was Edna Fletcher still. Tom and Win were both married and living In | the city. where Edna spent the winters with them and had rejected several of fers. She would not acknowledge to her own heart that all her love had been giy- en to Peter.
 Three years Peter Jones had been In California and had been placed at the head of the branch house there, working faithfully in the interest of his employ CTS and slowly but surely making his own fortune.
 IL was dusk on a summer evening when the train drew up at the Port Ray nor station and one gentleman stepped out upon Inc platform.
 "No haeeagp." Le said to tho waiting portcr and hc sauntered up the road to- ward the Jones farm.
 But thr same road led him first 10 the gate of Mr. Flctchcr's large, handsome house. There was no group upon the porch. as there had been always in the dll timvs. "Of course not" the newcomer thought impaiicntly. "All the young folks are married and away" ilu had hr.ilatcd at the gate. aud he thought hc could spare tipc for a short ,a.l. oaly Co inquire for MT. and Mrs. Fletcher oll friends. who demanded some courtesy from a neighbor so long ths'nt.
 lic went across the grass to the low Fi,sch window. This had been always .i, path Go thc house. and he smiled as .c nual himself ou the spot where he '.l ,,ft Edna three years before.
 "Tu en Co the front door ani ring." he bought. but going a moment Co glance .t.Uu.h the bali closed blinds.
 Two taulcs dim in the gathering dark lcs.. wore ou thc sofa Both wore light 'r..-,i. nui 1hcy were close together, as , uliiae colilcu'iglly. Pcter did not .iab tt.i hc vas being an cavcslropper n. only iuscscl because he recognized .,.. % whose tones hal alw.ys been the
 s,,.c-t music in bis ears.
 "Ut why need marry au"bodyE
 gIlt WIS vbat Edna said Not mar i.' .uui ua ried.
 i'H,r lil long Co shout the words, bui r.irf. low voice answered:
 "iou u,cl uoi. Edna. Bui papa and ] -on irr sometimes ir our lit,le girls heart is r,cry SD syt against marriage or it she is Ting s1mc secret from us.
 "S.,rct, { never had a secret.
 "You are not engaged. then, without our bunwlrlsrT'
 "No. How could you think such n JhnsT
 "And you really have never loved any 9f your suitorsF"
 Silence. Peter Jones knew that be was playing a very mean part. that be had no right Co woit for the unyeiling of q maideu's heart in this sly fashion. aud yet he could not stir.
 Was there any one. Edna Mrs. Fletcher said very gently, "who won my daughters heart and did not know the treasure was hisF
 A choking voice answered;
 "Yes. mamma. but don't ask me who it was Hc--he was-nobody in particu- lar"
 Peter Jones walked around to the front door and rang the bell. Nobody would have guessed by his quiet manner that his heart was throbbing Co suGocation, his hands cold. bis head dizzy with the sudden rush of great hope.
 There was light In the wide drawing room where presently Mir. Fletcher and Edpa came Co greet him, and Edna. ore pared by his card. was self possessed ani gracious She had changed in those three ycars and lost her petulance. was more woman'y and yet as pretty as ever. And Peter Jones knew that the love in bis heart was not conquered. but strong az death there still
 Well. just Co think of it.' Mrs. Jone' said when she came home from the we'd hng. That Edna should refuse such splendid offers ns she has and marry our Peter, She was always talking about grand. heroic men. and hc has not even uamc-only the one we gave him Dear. dcar"'
 "You'n bc contented. EdnaT' Peter said when they stood on the steamer deck. bound for California. You know, dear. I'm only a business man there as bere. Nobody in particular."-New York News
 The Unicorn.