Evening journal., 1905-07-17
THE LONG LANE

lighted his heavy features uncannily /
and showed plainly ,the drawn. hard
lines about bis mouth Barbara Allen
had Withdrawn TO the sshadows Of a
far corner and divided ! her time be-
tween playful Angora kitten and
covert glances in the young mans di-
reetion Now and again as his hrows
knit IN an angry frown she smiled
knowingly MS she snoothedithe 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
81 suppose" saidlhe. with bitter sar-
casm. "that I shouldNhave known from
the beginning where we would come
out with this little affair OF ours.
suppose 1 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 find I've been no exception to
this general rule"
The girl IN the corner bent over the
kitten. but made no reply Darlington
kicked back an ember which hurtled
from the Gre 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 more"
'Be careful. Fritz" she said warn
sngly. You're saying some rather
harsh things"
He laughed roughly. ats hardly the
time TO mince matters" said be- I'm
well aware that the truth isn't always
pleasant 20 hear. but think you'll ad-
nit there are times when circum-
stances warrant its utteranee. You
have known from the first that 1 was
honest and sincere You knew / was
no tri6er. You might at least have let
me know from the outset that my case
was hopeless instead OF dragging it on
IA this wretched fashion"
The girl sighed patiently.
'I've merely tried TO be nlce-ln a
friendly way" she protested
"Oh, you've succeeded admirably" {"
said he you've been very, very nice.
IT was necessary to do that 20 keep me
IN line I suppose"
"Klndly be trlde considerate," she
said coldly.
"Do you deserve considerahonT he
asked
Perhaps not. " she said, with q meek
ness that famed the fires of his wrath.
Il tell you" he declared, ITS a dan
gerous game you play. and some time
It win go against you. There'n come a
time when the glove viii be on the 9TH
or 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-whaf
thenT she asked.
2 He frownod savageiy at the FIRE.
= "At the turn OF the lane" said he
T. "'you'll see it all from my present per
; spective. You'll know what II Is TO loV,
o honestly-only TO provoke laughter"
She stroked the kitten thoughtfully
Fritz she said, with a little note OF
awe-whether real or mocking, he could
not decide-in her voice, you frighter
e me-"
r 'Ittwill come" he said fatty.
, He rose and picked up his hat and
coat He loomed up tall and forbid
= ding in the nlckering freight
"I'm going now" he said "but be
fore l do l want TO ask favor Of you
e Don't treat the next chap as you've
o treated me-"
{ Barbara rose too. She spilled tn,
e kitten on to the floor and came over t,
r. Barrington's side.
: "We're friends. aren't WEI" She ask
ed anxiously.
: "Yes, we're friends" he said.
e you won't forget me because o-
n this-you won't let this be a barrier
e between us?' she asked
lie looked down at her and smiled
r slowly.
"wen be friends" be said enigmat
s ically.
The truth Of the situation dawne,
d on her suddenly. It left her a trin
j. llsmayed.
IS you don't mean yon're not comini
e here again? You don't mean you'll
y avoid mel" she asked.
IL Il think it is the only way to insur
Z our friendship" said he.
"Ohr' she said in sudden contrition.
9 lie drew himself up with an effort.
II 'Well. goodby," he said, holding ou
p his hand.
b. The girl seemed not to notice II
IS She leaned against a chair
-eI "Goodbyw he said again.
= "Don't--don't go-like this" she sal
y in entreaty.
:, He looked az her questioningly, the
a strobe to the door
/, Don't g0" she whispered weakly.
"a He turned. "Why not?" he demand
n ed abruptly.
m She flushed and hesltated. She saI
"a il was too late to retreat
s WELL" she said, looking into To
.s fire, there's a turn in the lane, 70
\ know, and-and I think we've reache
le it now, Fritz, dear"
Is THOMAS G. FEsSENDEN.
ie Her idea.
's Mr.. Settledown-Id prefer to stay @
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