Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1910-02-03
ONLY A BUSINESS MAN

success, for Edna. like most pretty
girls. was a bit of tlirt. Peter accept
ed profitable offer to go to Califor-
mia and leave Port Raynor.
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 a good bust
ness man, with 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 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 it's way.
Mrs. Fletcher was surprised that at
twenty-one Edna, the most attractive
girl at Port Raynor, was Edna Fletch-
err still. Tom and Will were both mar
ried and living In the city. where
Edna spent the winters with them and
l., u Il .,ff,
not acknowledge to her own heart that
all her love had been given to Peter.
Three years Peter Jones had been in
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.
1t was dusk on a summer evening
when the train drew up at the Port
RaynOr station and one gentleman
stepped out upon the platform.
mo 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
the porch, as there had been always
in 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 Il
short call. only to inquire for Mr.. and
Nfre. .,l1 f,.,, Il.
manded some courtesy from neigh
Dor so long absent
He 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.
III go to the front door and ring"
he thought. but going Il moment to
glance through the half closed blinds.
Two figures. dim in the gathering
darkness. We're on the sofa. Both wore
light dresses. and they We're close to-
gether, as If talking cOntidentially.
Peter did not think that he was being
an eavesdropper. He only fingered be-
tones had always been the sweetest
music in his ears.
But why need | marry anybodyw
That was what Edna said. Not mar
ried-not married.
Peter did long to shout the words.
but quiet. low voice answered:
You need not. Edna. But papa and
7 vi .,
heart is really so set against marriage
or if she is hiding some secret from
u.s."
Secret. l never had secret"
you are not engaged. then. without
our Knowledge"
"No. How could you think such II
thing?'
"And you really have never loved
any of your suitors?"
Silence. Peter Jones knew that he
was playing very mean part. that
he had no right to wait for the unveil-
I ing of a maidens heart in this sly
fashion. and yet he could not stir.
WAS there any one. Edna" Mrs
Fletcher said very gently, who won
the treasure was his?"
A choking voice answered.
Yes. mamma. but don't ask me
who 1t was. He-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 throbbing to
suffocation, 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 petulance, was more womanly and
yet as pretty as ever. And Peter
Jones knew that the love in his heart
was not conquered. but strong as
death there still.
well, just to think of it," Mrs.
Jones said when she came home from