The San Angelo press. (San Angelo, Tex.) 1897-1907, 1905-06-22
THE LONG LANE

fire on the hearth, which snapped and
cracked and sent weird, distorted
shadows about the walls.
harrington sat near the fire, which
lighted his heavy features uncannlly
and showed plainly the drawn, hard
lines about his mouth. Barbara Allen
had withdrawn to the shadows of a
far corner and divided her time be-
tween n playful Angora kitten and
covert glnnccs in the young mans d.
rcctlon. Now and again as his brows
knit In an angry frown she smiled
knowingly as she smoothed the kittens
silky coat.
Presently the young man whlrled
about in his chair and glarcd into the
gloom Of the corner where the girls
face was but barely visible.
81 suppose" said he, with bitter sar.
casm that | should have known from
the beginning where we would come
out with this little affair of ours.
Suppose | should have taken warning
from the countless predecessors who
have tempted fate before me. But a
man in love Is blind to Macy things,
and | find I've been no exception to
this general rule"
The girl In the corner bent over the
kitten, but made 10 reply. harrington
kicked back an embcr which hurtlcd
from the fire and continued:
81 didn't think you were that sort
Of girl. ! fondly imagined, In my
blessed Innocence, that you had some
spirit Of fairness. find I've been
mlstakcn-and more"
"Be careful, Fritz" she said warn.
lngly. You're saying some rather
harsh things"
He laughed roughly. ITS hardly the
tine To- mice matters" said he. I'm
wcil rwarc that the truth isn't always
r,caaant TO hear. but think you'll adj
nit tar"n are times when clrcum.
stance warrant It's uttcrnnce. You
have known from the first that was
l
no trlilcr. You might at least have let
me know from the outset that my case
was hopeless instead of dragging II on
in this wrctchcd fashion"
The girl sighed patiently.
1--WE merely tried to be nice--in
friendly way" she protested.
"Oh, you've succeeded admirably"
antI II
1t was necessary to do that to keep mo
In line, suppose"
KINDLY he Il trine cOnslderatc," she
said coldly.
"Do you deserve considerations" he
asked.
Perhaps not" she said, with meek.
ness that famed the fires OF his wrath
81 tell YOU" he declared, ITS dan
gerous game you play, and some time
1t Will go against you. Thcrc'll come n
time when the glove will be OH the 9th.
or hand. It's long lane that has no
turning"
The rapid succession OF metaphors
set her smiling again. She leaned for
ward In her chair
"And at the turn OF the lane-what
then ?" she asked.
He frowned savngely at the fire.
AT the turn OF the lane" said he,
you'll see It oil from my present per.
spective. You'll know what Il Is to love
honestly-only to provoke laughter"
She stroked the kitten thoughtfully.
Fritz" she said. with a little note Of
awe-whether real or mocklng. he could
not decide-ln her voice, you brighten
me-"
1T will come" he said 1atly.
He rose and picked up his hat and
cont He doomed up tall and forbid.
ding In the fllckerlng freight.
I'm going now" he said, but be.
fore l do want to ask a favor of YOU
Don't treat the next chap as you've
treated me-"
Barbara rose too. She spilled the
kitten on to the floor and came over TO
Barrlngton's side.
"We're friends, aren't WEI" she ask
ed anXiously.
Eyes. we're friends" he said.
you won't forget me because OF
thlS-you won't let this be barrier
between u.s." she asked.
He looked down at her and smiled
slowly.
well he friends" he said enlgmat.
ically.
The truth of the situation dawned
on her suddenly. It left her trino
dismayed.
"You don't mean you're not coming
here again? You don't mean you'll
avoid meW she asked.
~ think 1t Is the only way to insure
our friendship" said he.
"Oh.' she said In sudden contrltlon.
He drew himself up with an effort.
well, goodby," he said, holding out
his hand.
The girl seemed not to notice 1t.
She leaned against chair
"Goodby!" he said again.
"Don't-don't go-llke this" she said
In entreaty.
lie looked at her questloningly, then
strobe to the door.
Don't go" she whispered weakly.
He turned. "Why not" he demand
ed abruptly.