The daily Alaskan., 1905-11-22
THE LONG LANE

Burlington sat near the fire, which lighted his heavy features uncannily 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 Barbara Allen had withdrawn to the shadows of a far corner and divided her time be tween playful Angora kitten and covert glances In the young mans dl- rection. Now and again as his brows knit in an angry frown she smiled knowingly as she smOothcd the kittens silky coat.
 Presently the young man whirled about In his chair and glarcd Into the gloom of the corner where the girls face was but barely visible.
 "I 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. l suppose l should have taken warning from the countless predecessors who have tempted fate before me. But a man in love is blind to many things and I find I've been no exception to this general rule"
 The girl in the corner bent over the kitten, but made no reply. Burlington kicked back an ember which hurtled from the fire and continued:
 q didn't think you were thlt sort of a girl. I fondly imagined, in my blessed innocence, that you had some spirit of fairness. l find I've been mistaken-and morc.' Be careful, Fritz" she said warn lngly. You're saying some rather harsh things"
 He laughed roughly. Its hardly the time to mince matters" said he. I'm well aware that the truth isn't always pleasant to hear, but l think you'll ad- init there are times when circum, stances warrant its u,tcrancc. You have known from the first thai l was honest and sincere. You knew l was no trifer You might at least have let me know from the outset that my case was hopeless Instead of dragging 1t on In this wretched fashion,
 The girl sighed patiently.
 i've merely tried to be nice-ln friendly way" she protested.
 "Oh, you've succeeded admirably, said he. "You've been very, very nice. It was necessary to do that to keep me ln line, I suppose"
 Kindly be a tride considcrase,' she said coldly.
 Do you deserve consideration" he asked
 Perhaps not" she said, with a meek ness that famed the fires Of his wrath
 q tell you," he declared, tits a dao. gerous game you play, and some time 1t will go against you. ThercN come time when the glove will be on the oth- CT hand. It's a long lane that hls m turning"
 The rapid succession of metaphors set her smiling again. She leaned for ward in her chair.
 And at the turn of the lana-what then :" she asked.
 He frowned savagcly at the fire.
 At the turn of the lanc," said he you'll see It all from my present per spective. You'll know what it is t0 love honestly-only to provoke laughter"
 She stroked the kitten thougatully.
 Fritz" she said, with a little note Of awe-whethec real O. moeEjug. R. could not decide-in her voice, you trightcn me"
 Tt will come" he SaId tatLy.
 He rose and picked Up his hat and coat. He loomeI up tall aul forbid. ding in the GickcrinE ijrci.ght.
 "Tm going now" he said. but be- fore l do 1 want to as, favor of yQa. Don't treat the next chap as you've treated me"
 Barbara rose too. She spilled Cle kitten on to the floor aud ca.nc over t0 Barrington's side.
 "We're friends, aren't wC:' Ehc ask ed anxiously.
 "Yes, we're friends" he sad.
 You won't forget me because of this-you won't let this be a barrier between us?" she asked.
 He looked down at her and smiled slowly.
 wen be friends" he said enigmat, lcally.
 The truth of the situation dawncl on her suddenly. It left Ler a triile dismayed.
 You don't mean you're not coming here again? You don't mean you'll avoid me?" she asked
 T think it Is the only way to insure our friendship" said he.
 "Ohw she said in sudden COntritiOn.
 He drew himself up with an effort.
 Well, gOodby," he said, holding out his hand.
 The girl seemed not to notice It. She leaned against chair.
 "Goodby!" he said again.
 "Don't--dou't go-nkc this" she said in entreaty.
 He looked at her questioningly, then strOde to the door.
 Don't gor' she whispered weakly. Flo t11rDnJ "yVhy uOfg" he demand