Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-06-07
DAILY SHORT STORY
THE LONG LANE.


harrington sat near the fire. which
lighted his heavy features uncannily
and showed plainly the drawn. hard
lines about bis mouth. Barbara Allen
had withdra wn to the shadows OF
far corner and divided her time be-
tween a playful Angors kitten and
covert gIances IN the young mans di-
rection. Now aud again as his brows
knit III an angry frown she smiled
knowingly as she smOothed the kittens
silky coat.
Presently the young man whirled
about in his chair and glared into the
gloom of the corner where the girls
face was but barely visible.
Il 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 l should have taken warning
from the countless predecessors who
have tempted fate before me. But
man III love is blind to many things.
and I lind I've been no exception to
lDlS general RUE.
The girl in the corner bent over the
kitten, but made no reply. harrington
Kicked back all ember which hurtled
from the fire and continued:
Il didn't think you were that sort
OF d girl. ! fondly imagined. i'll my
blessed innocence. that you had some
spirit OF fairness. l find I've been
mistaken and more"
BE careful. Fritz" she said warn
ingly You're saying some rather
harsh things"
He laughed roughly. Its hardly the
time to mfnce Matters said he. I'm
well aware that the truth isn't always
plea s~ut TO hear, but l thank you'll ad-
nit there are times when circum-
stances warrant It's utterance. You
have known from the first that l was
honest and sincere. You knew l was
no trifier You might at least have let
ME know from the outset that my ease
was hopeless instead of dragging it OH
in this wretcbed fashion,
The girl sighed patiently.
"I've merely tried to be nice-in a
friendly way" she protested.
"Oh, you've succeeded admirably"
said he You've been very very nice.
1t was necessary to do that to keep me
in line. l suppose"
Kindly be Il tritie considerable" she
said coldly
DO you deserve consideration he
asked.
Perhaps not" she said, with a meek
ness that famed the fires OF his wrath.
81 tell YOU" he declared, its dan.
gerous game you play, and some time
ii will go against you. There'n come
time when the glove will be on the 9th
er hand. It's a 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 2" she asked.
He frowned savageIy at the fire.
AT the turn OF the lane" said he,
you'll see it all from my present per
spective. You'll know what 1t Is to love
hOnestly-Only to provoke laughter"
She stroked the kitten thoughtfulIy.
Fritz" she said, with a little note OF
awe-whether real or mOcking he could
not decide-in her voice. you brighten
me-"
lit will come" he said fatty
He rose and picked up his hat and
coat. He doomed up tall and forbid
ding IN the pickering freight
I'm going now" he said, but be-
fore do l want to ask a favor OF you.
Don't treat the next chap az you've
treated me-"
Barbara rose too. She spilled the
kitten on to the floor and came over TO
BarringtOn's side
Were friends, aren't wer' she ask
ed anxiously
Eyes, we're friends" he said.
You won't forget me because OF
this-yOu won't let this be q barrier
between us?" she asked.
He looked down at her and smiled
slowly.
Wen he friends" he said enigmat-
ically.
The truth OF the situation dawned
on her suddenly. 1t left her a trf6e
dismsyed.
You don't mean you're not coming
mere dHd1D: 1Ou mean you III
avoid met" she asked
Il think it is the only way TO insure
our friendship" said he
oh she said In sudden cOntrition
He drew himself up with an effort.
Well, soodby," he said. holding out
his hand
The girl seemed not to notice it
She leaned against a chair
"GoOdbyr he said again.
'DOn't-dOn't go-like this" she said
In eDtreaty.
He looked at her questiOningIy, then
STROBE to the door
Don't go" she whispered weakly.
He turned, why not?' he demand
ed abruptly
She flushed sud hesitated. She saw
II was too late to retreat
Well" she said, looking into the
fire, there's turn In the lane. You