New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-10
Obe Long Arm. -"
by heighley snowden.

only aspirations. the review of them now in a
lohg revere depressed him; he had to brace his
courage and play the man at last. And It
pleased him. because of the shattered ideals to
snatch at one light word which he might yet
fulfil If such things were he would keep his
engagement with Jack.
The purpose leaped into his mind and gave
him the shiver and thrill he had sometimes
found in situations OF quiet peril.
Mr. Jack Alleyn is well known in Liverpool
though not 10y the name have given him He
was 10 have been a soldier with his friend; he
became cotton merchant. AS for this friend
ship OF which the story tells singular outcome
1t had endured, Of course. through long sep
aratons, with meetings rather more infreduent
since the mid nineties than before 1t was the
summer Of this year. and Jack had not seen his
Old chum at all since the in South Africa
But he had longed to do so. and to him. as well
as 10 the lighting man, that threat of a friendly
CALI had required. though not his own testing
answer 1t had even REQUIRED more than once
when scanty news made him fearful but he
would have been immensely surprised to see it
fulfilled at any time. He is among the most
practical of men. The colonel was right-Jack
would have known a better way with debts of
honor.
In the house where Colonel Sale was a guest
he enjoyed the perfect liberty OF an old and dear
ne could think of his purpose resoluteIy The
Wharfe was in spate then. after rain among the
hills and he oent out TO fish with worm below
those woods in which the Strid is situated. His
host being no fisherman, Colonel Sale took with
him, by an arrangement made overnight, an old
water baiff OF whom he was fond
They reached the Strid about the luncheon
hour. The spate had fallen and left the rocks
exposed, and the place looked more than ever
fitting for his design suicide to be accom-
plished without suspicion in another mans
presence. Colonel Sale took a dram with him
and ate sandwich and they watched the water
thunder down. It is boiling white cataract
between gray walls Of granite. and below it a
long, deep pool lies. All had gone We'll for the
ColoneIs evasion. II Was the old man himself
who had suggested that some Of the upper
reaches should be tried. he knew them best
and the rocks were slippery.
What was that old tale Of the '5ootless
bene'?" the Colonel shouted in his car. Isn't
1t here the boy jumped across, Tib?"
Tried it," his companion answered. See 20
that rock at points across an dips. That's
where t wor. Fro tn other side it's simple
but not this, for 10 man alive"
III go and look at it," said the Colonel.
He finished q second sandwich and then rose
leaving lib to gather up the tackle. He was a
little nervous but felt hesitation, no doubts
Of himself and, without glance either at the
fierce water or about him at the paradise which
these fine WOO Is resemble. he carefully scruti-
nized the rock in face. His leap must look like
a real attempt Presently he turned away. sat
isfed, and waited for the old mans eye He
waved hand
Old lib shouted, but Il not for this that
Colonel Sale. with the first step desperately
taken, stood rooted where he was. He had seen
Jack AIeyn's face above the opposite brink, a
few PAGES down stream.
Jack advanced quite slowly. until his pert
little figure showed complete. from Panama hat
10 brown shoes He was looking intent at first
as if he had not recognized his friend, but his
red face relaxed in the funny little smile down
his nose that Sale knew. He danced little
dance above the torrent, came out on the point
Of the dipping rock and dropped
Colonel Sale let him speak the first word. 1t
done in the cataract,s roar, and, for the first
time in life, the who would have reIin-
pushed life so boldly at loss from fear.
Jacks living and warm grasp gave him a great
shock. moreover. Instantly he drew Jack away,
but with a hand which became so viseIke, and
with such evident nervousness. that his friend
was shocked al the change in him. Privately
Jack swore at the war for it, yet thought it
strange in such gallant man. He pulled
up to the fringe of a wooded bank before the
Colonel spoke.
MY dear old chap, What brings you here?
How the deuce did YOU find ,ne?'