The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1910-02-16
ONLY A BUSINESS MAN

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honest. retiring, soft hearted natures
that never tell of their finer feelings,
Discouraged by his small chances OF
success. for Edna. like most pretty
ed a profitable offer to so to Califor-
mia and leave Port ppynor.
Peter was scarcely missed In the so
cial gatherings that made the sum
mer houses pleasant at Port Raynor,
but Edna wondered 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 California.
He was growing rich in California
Mr.. Fletcher said, being n good bust.
ness man. with fine opportunity
made for him by the firm which had
sent him out
He would lind some fair, gentle girl
who was not petulant aud would give
the return he deserved for his love
and devotion, and he would marry
her. of course. and never come back
to Port Raynor. And here the sigh
would have its way.
Mrs. Fletcher was surprised that at
twenty-one Edna. the most attractive
girl at Port Raynor. was Edna Fetch
er still. Tom and VIII were both mar
ried and living in the city, where
Edna spent the winters with them and
had rejected several offers. She would
not acknowledge to her own heart that
all her love had been given to Peter.
Three years Peter Jones had been i'm
California and had been placed ut the
head Of the branch house there. work
ing faithfully in the interest of his
employers and slowly but surely max
ing his own fortune
Ii was dusk on a summer evening
when the train drew up at the Port
Raynor station and one gentleman
stepped out upon the platform.
NO baggage" he said to the waiting
porter. and he sauntered up the road
toward the Jones farm.
But the same road led him first to
the gate of Mr.. Fletcher's large. hand
some house. There was no group upon
the porch. as there had been always
i'm the old times. "Of course not" the
newcomer thought impatiently. "All
the young folks are married and
away"
He had hesitated at the gate. and he
thought he could spare time for
short call. only to inquire for Mr.. and
Mrs. Fletcher, old friends. who de-
manded some courtesy from neigh
Dor so long absent.
lie went across the grass to the low
French window. This had been al
ways his path to the house, and he
smiled as he found himself on the
spot where he had left Edna three
years before.
"Ill 90 to the front door and ring
he thought, but going a moment to
glance through the half closed blinds
Two figures. dim in the gathering
darkness. were on the sofa. Both wore
light dresses, and they were close to.
| gether, as if talking contidentially.
Peter did not think that he was being
an eavesdropper. lie only fingered be-
cause he recognized voice whose
tones had always been the sweetest
music in his ears.
But why need | marry anybody
That was what Edna said Not mar,
rled-not married.
Peter did long to shout the words,
but quiet, low voice answered:
You need not. Edna. But papa and
| wonder sometimes If our little girls
heart is really so set against marriage
or If she is hiding some secret from
u.s."
Secret! | never had n secret"
'You are not engaged, then, without
our knowledge"
mo. low could you think such
thingy"
And you really have never loved
any OF your suitors"
Silence. Peter Jones knew that he
was playing a very mean part, that
he had no right to wait for the unvel-
ing of maiden's heart in this sly
fashion. and 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 his?"
A choking voice answered:
Yes, mamma. but don't ask me
who il was. IIe--he was-nobody In
particular"
Peter Jones walked around to the
front door and rang the bell. Nobody
would have guessed by his quiet man
ner that his heart was throbbng to
lsuffocation. his hands cold. his head
dizzy with the sudden rush OF great
hope.
There was light in the wide draw
Ing room where presently Mrs. Fletcher
and Edna came to greet him. and
Edna. prepared by his card. was self
possessed and gracious. She had
changed In those three years and lost
her nQtIIlanpQ WAS more WOmn nly and