The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-06-05
TIE EVENING STORY


The Long Lane.
Inc room was unIighted save for the
Ilre on the hearth, which snapped and
cracked and sent weird, distorted
shadows about the walls.
harrington sat near the IRE, which
nghted his heavy features uneannily
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had withdrawn to the shadows of a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 g1anc6z in the young mans d.
rectien. 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 whirled
about in his chair and glared into the
gloom OF the corner where the girls
face was but barely visible.
I suppose" said he, with bitter sar-
casn, that I should have known from
the beginning where we would come out
with this little affair Of ours. I sup
pose Should have taken warning from
the countless predecessors who have
tempted fate before me. But man in
love is blind to many things, and ind
I've been no exception to this general
rule"
The girl in the corner. bent over the
kitten, but made no reply Darlington
AlckGu DUCK an GInDGE winch nuELlGu
from the fire and continued:
Il didn't think you were that sort of a
girl. I fondly Imagined, in my blessed
innocence, that you had some spirit of
fairness. find I've been mistaken
and more
BE careful, Fritz she said warning
~ You're saying sorae rather harsh
things
He laugher roughly. Its hardly the
time to nince matters" said he Tn
raIT hot y al
pleasant to hear, but I think youth ad-
NIT there are times when circumstances
warrant it's utterance. You have known
from the first that I was honest and
sincere, You knew I was no trifier-
You might at least have let me know
from the outset that my case was hope
less instead of dragging it on in this
Wretched 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.
It was necessary to do that to keep me
in line, I suppose"
Kindly be a trihe considerate," she
DO you deserve consideration? he
asked.
Perhaps not" she said, with meek
ness that famed the fires Of his wrath
q tell you" he declared, 'it's g. dan
/ it will go against you. There'n come a
! time when the glove will be on the 9TH
/ er hand. It's a long lane that has no
1 turning"
The rapid succession of metaphors set
4 her smiling again. She leaned forward
/ in her chair.
And at the turn Of the 1ane-what
/ them" she asked
at the turn of the lane" said he,
! you'll see it all from my present per-
! spective.@ You'll know what ii is to
love honestly-only to provoke laugh
! ter"
She stroked the kitten thoughtfully.
Fritz" she said. with a little note of
could not decide-in her voice, you
! brighten me. -
IT. 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.
fore I do I want to ask a favor Of you.
Don't treat the next chap as you've
Barbara rose too. She spilled the
kitten on to the floor and came over to
| Barrington'S side.
We're friends, aren't we?" she asked
anxiously.
You won't forget me because of this
you won't let this be a barrier be-
| tween uS?" she asked.
He looked down at her and smiled
Wen be friends" he said enigmat-
ically.
her suddenly. 1t left her tribe dis
mayed.
you don't mean you're not coming
here again? You don't mean you'll
avoid me?' she asked.
81 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, goodby,'' he said, holding out
his hand.
The girl seemed not to notice It. She
( leaned against a chair.
Goodbye" he said again.
"Don't-don't go--like this" she said
in entreaty.
He looked at her questioningly, then
strobe to the door.
Don't go!" she whispered weakly.
He turned. why not?" he demanded
abruptly.
she flushed and hesitated. She saw it
was too late to retreat.
ssXVeu." she said, looking into the fre,
there's a turn in the lane, you know,
and-and I think we've reached 1t now,
THOMAS G. FESsENDEN.
Copyright, 1905, by T. c. McClure0
/
Sentiment still Lives.