The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1910-01-29
ONLY A BUSINESS MAN

tnAt ueNti ten VI tHtlI HneI ltclluES.
Discouraged by his small chances OF
success. for Edna. like most pretty
girls. was biz OF a dirt. Peter accept
ed profitable offer to so to Califor-
MIA and leave Port Raynor.
Peter was scarcely missed In the so.
ciaI 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
ol&triends and neighbors and from all
the visitors who saw her pretty face
and graceful movements. But her hero
did not appear. ana Peter Jones was
ia California.
He was growing rich In California.
Mr. Fletcher said. being a good busI.
ness man. With n fine opportunity
made for him by the firm which had
sent him out.
He would find some fair. gentle giri
who was not petulant and would give
the return he deserved Tor 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 Fetch
er still. Tom and VIII were both mar.
ried and living In the city. where
IN he. 81 81 a
had rejected several offers. She would
not acknowledge TO her own heart that
all her love had been given 10 Peter.
Three years Peter Jones had been In
California and had been placed at 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.
IL 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 20
the gate OF Mr.. Fletchers large. hand
some house. There was no group upon
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 a
short call. only TO inquire for Mr.. and
Mrs. Fletcher. old friends. who de-
manded some courtesy from "A neigh
Dor SO long absent.
He went across the grass 10 the low
French window. This had been al
ways his path to the house. and ne
smiled as he found himself on the
spot where he had left Edna three
years before.
"Ill 20 TO the front door and ring"
he thought. but going n moment 10
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 II 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 I'm his ears.
"But why need marry anybodyT'
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
wonder sometimes II our little girls
heart is really so set against marriage
or II she is hiding some secret from
u.s."
Secret. never had secret
'You are not engaged. then. without
our knowiedge?"
mo. How could you think such a
thing?"
"And you really have never loved
any OF your sultors?'
silence. Peter Jones knew that he
was playing a very mean part. that
he had no right 10 wait for the unveil-
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 aud did not know
the treasure was his?"
A choking voice answered.
"Yes. mamma but don't ask me
who II was He-he was-nobody In
particular"
Peter Jones walked around 10 the
front door and rang the bell. Nobody
would have guessed by his quiet man
ner that his heart was throbblng 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