The Press., 1920-01-15
PETERS PARTNER
By JACK LAWTON.

~F><S<~~><<><~S <<<$~"e tCopyrlsnt 1919, Western newspaper Unlon'
 Far down on the lonely beach was the clubhouse, it's door barred for the winter; farther still, quite alone. stood a little house where Peter lived. Old Peters house was never closed during all the seasons. Each Springtilne fOuEG him whistling with fresh cheer as he planted flowers in Ais tiny garden, and during the gay months of summer, Peters porch was usually occupied hH eager youngsters from cota"cS up shore in search of the pretty shell beads or ornaments, which Peter loved to give them.
 Now a golden October gave to sea and land one last gift of summer, and Peter sat summing himself on the porch in his rush-bOttOmcd chair.
 A girl came presently like a scarlet bird flying across the sands. Her hair was Wind-bIOWn and her checks as crimson as. the sweater slie wore.
 "Daddy Peter!" she cried, ''when will you remember to wear yOir coat when you sit outdoors. The air iS chill, even in this AunSh;ne.' She had reached his side now, seating herself on a step beneath him.
 Her appearance brought to old Peters face a dozen kindly wrinkles of humOr and tenderness.
 You will get back at me with your babying Nell," he said, "just because I happened to bring you up that way"
 h,.ip no1Iv Dntpr '' the girl said softly, from the time my parents perished in this same smiling sea. I'll never forget that-it was a good bringing up, too. You could not have done more for your own blood
 She raised solemn eyes to his. "1 will never forget my debt to y0u," she said. The words were-like covenant.
 "Debt," scolfed tue old man. "Why child, you've paid me over and over again ill kindneSS.'
 "I will always be kind," tie girl added firmly. She lowered her eyes to hide sudden tears.
 "Sometimes" said Peter, I have an uncomfortable fancy that yOu!'s Dave an you care for each other, tut that you won't admit the caring to him for fear your going would leave me in the lU-cE. Nell .' he spoke earnestly. You wouldn't let any nonsense like that keep you from your happiness.'
 You are imagining Daddy Peter,> the girl laughed. S%e patted his wrinkled hand and arose as a young man came swinging toward them.
 q thought" said the big young man. strangely shy, "that you might walk tc town with me, NCll.'
 "Of course," urged Peter. GO, girl" And Nell went
 The old man locked up surprised as a visitor came walking up.
 "Good evening" greeted the stran- ger. You won't remember me, but used to come and sit i'll your porch while my grandchildren begged for shells. We stopped at the hotel. To- day such a longing came over me to smell salt water again and to breathe in the air that 1 had my daughters chauffeur drive me out. You see, sir" he added. as Peter offered his own comfortable chair, 'I was brought up close to the sea; my father was a fish erman. Weli-I made a bit but no other place has ever spelled home to me- As I get older I seem to want to be near the water That's why my daughter brought me here last sum- mer But it wasn't the same" The old gentleman sighed. "One can't take comfort with Jeanette and her chil- dren some way, even if Jeanette is my I I,1,, ,1No1 nd he means well. Johns decent to me. But--' the old stranger studied the face of the old seaman, "I WOnder," he unused, ''if you can possibly know what it means to feel ones self in the way. to be borne with, you understand, and treated pleasantly, but in the way? "NO" Peter answered, II don't know what it means to feel like that. l dc as I please. No one about to be bothered. Nell, my foster daughter, is teaching school and boarding. She thinks she has got to stay near me, to run in and keep me from being lonely. I'll confess that I get lonesome, eve nings. Otherwise my life is pretty happy. I read the books I like, an smoke my pipe, and Pm master hand at cooking. Winters, with the wind bowling cross the beach, an my fire agIoWing inside, some apples baking, mebbe, an me in the lamplght there with the evening paper" said Peter blissfully, "that's peace"
 "Ies," eXcitedly agreed the stranger. Its freedom and pleasure the year round, can see that. Then, the feel of the sea
 '"This is what came about today. I've been thinking the thing over since ] watched you last summer. Could you take a partner in-freedOm? My self, sir I'd be more than content with my books and you to talk to. Will you share your home, if my money keeps it going?'
 Peters knotted hands grasDed the porch rail. A gleam came into his 'Adcd eyes.
 Are you sure you mean it, stran- ger?" he asked. q bin sitting here to- day wondering how I could manage through another winter. 1 don't tell Nell my troubles for I want her to marry the man she loves. l was try ing 10 say good-bv to my home; now YOU come and offer to keep it for me. Can I-refuse?
 II hope not" the old gentleman an >Wored gravely.
 l. From the sea came breeze ruStling the crimson leaves of the porch vines Impulsively the old men cIaSped hands, and on their faces was the light Of