The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1910-02-09
0NLY BUSINESS MAN

Discouraged BY biz small chances Or
guceess, for Edna, Nike most pretty
girls. was a bit Of q ilrt. Peter accept.
d profitable olIer t. 60 to Callror.
Ma and leave Port Raynor.
Peter was scarcely missed in the 60
aal gatherings that made the sum.
ner houses pleasant at Port Raynor,
nut Edna wondered what made them
VI 50 suddenly dull TO her.
She had plenty o. attention from her
Nd friends and neighbors and from eli
he visitors who saw her pretty face
md graceful movements. But her hero
I'd not appear. and Peter Jenes was
California.
lie was growing rich in California,
hr. Fletcher said, being a coed busl-
less mad. With a tine opportunity
made for him by the firm which had
ent him out.
Ho would nnd some fair. gentle girl
who was not petulant and would give
he return be deserved for bis love
and devotion. ana he would marry
her. Of course, and never come back
70 Port Raynor And here the sigh
would have It's way.
Mrs. Fletcher was surprised that at
twsnty-one Edna, tho most attractive
girl at Port Rayuor was Edna Fetch
or still. Tom and WIN 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 70 her own heart that
AL her love had been given to 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 bis own fortune.
It was dusk on a summer evening
when the train drew up at the Port
Raynor station and enc gentleman
stepped out upon the platform.
no baggage" be 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. FIetcher's large. hand
some house. There was no group upon
the porch. as there had been always
In the old times. "Of course not,p the
newcomer thought impatiently. "Ali
the young folks are married and
away"
He had hesitated at the gate. and be
thought he could spare time for
short call. only to inquire for ME. and
Mrs. Fletcher. old friends. who de-
manded some courtesy from maigh-
Dor SO long absent.
He went across the grass to the low
French window. This had besn al
ways bis path to the house, and be
smiled as be found himself on the
spot where be had left Edna three
years before.
..TIl 60 70 the front door and ring
be thought, but going moment t.
glance through the hair closed blinds
Two figures. dim 10 the gathering
darkness. we're On the sofa. Both were
light dresses. and they we're close TO-
gether, as II talking oonddsntiaily.
Peter did not think that be was being
an eavesdropper. He only fingered be-
cause he recognized a voice whose
tones had always been the sweetest
music III bis ears
'.But why need marry ANYBODY
That was what Edna said Not mar
Fied--not married.
Peter did long to shout the woFds.
but q quiet, low voice answered.
.'You need not. Edna. But papa and
I wonder sometimes If our little girls
heart is really 50 set against marriage
or If she IL hiding some secret FROM
u.s.
Secret! never had a secret!'
.'You are not engaged. then, without 1
our knowIedgeY
enc. How coald you think such 8
thingT
And you really have never leved
any OF your saltorsr
silence. Peter Jones knew that be
was playing very mean part that
be had no right to wait for the unveiI-
Ing Of q naiden's heart III 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 net know
he treasure was hisY
A choking voice answered:
yes. mamma. but don't ask me
who 1t was. He--he was--uebody IL
particular"
Peter Jones walked around to the
front door and rang the bell. Nobody
would have guessed By his quiet man
her that his heart was throbbing to
suffoeation, bis hands cold, his head
lizzy with the sudden rush Of great
nope,
There was light in the wide draw
ng room where presently Mrs Fletcher
md Edna came to greet him, and
Edna, prepared BY his card, was self
ard gracious She bad
hanged ia those three years and lost
aer petulance, was more womanly aud
Yet as pretty as ever And Peter
Zones knew that the love IN his heart
was not conquered but strong az
leath there still
eWeIl just 70 think Of IT. Mrs.
Zones said when she came home from
he wedding. @That Edna should re-
use such splendid offers as she has
ind marry our Peters She was al
Ways talking about grand. heroic men,
nd be has not even a name aaly the
me we gave him Dear. DEAR!