The Long Lane's Turning

" said Echo. "Its name

to the wonder and passion of living, her slim figure outlined against the dark green shrubbery and her face and gold-bronze hair touched with

y bow of bu

y arrows o

of the thing that had been covered and hidden there so long, something fine a

aid. "I had another reason

oice was eve

k you if you

of amaze had sprung to her face. "I?" s

e anything st

d which excluded fast-and-loose conduct; and the whispers that clung about Cameron Craig-set, as they were, over against his force and undeniably brilliant attainments-had lent her opinion of him a cer

aps it is not strange. It is only that the unexpected seems

," he said. "It must

ded for some time

he answered. "You have two things tha

ous person-as well, it seems, as a very blind one. Would you mind telling me wha

ied, "and all that it impl

ly. "And the oth

most beautiful woma

ts of these things

which a woman like you must have if she would really live. I

e will. But you see, Mr. Craig, I happen to be not at all t

that!" he

ow, for her head was turned away. "I have no longing for money. I could be contented in a mountain lean-to, with morning-glories instead of an orchid conservatory. I could cook my own meals on a gas-stove and liv

my love for

she rejoined, calmly. "Y

to know that it is the paramount

gentle satire. "Have you been so busy making this wonderful mo

es. I dare say I could buy and sell almost any one you know. But it was never the main thing. It was winning that counted. It

en-I met you! I have known many women, but they have been nothing, less than nothing, to me! Business has been the only thing that really cou

n odd, disquieting prescience. His voice was no longer the cold, even voice of the

You have entered into my blood and my brain, and the want of you has colour

op!" she said. "The love you talk of must be mutual

he protested. "I know what I wan

but we can pass that by. The important fact is that yo

ash in his eyes. "Do I deserve th

e apparently not considered my possible love as a requisite in the case. It is 'breeding' you want, and beau

o be controlling himself by a fierce effort. "Don't ans

lied, "once and for all. You w

plied, "once and for all. You

ide he reached her and seized both her hands. "Is there-another

ell," she said, "

he said savagely. "It could make no difference to me! I will not take your answer-do you understand? In time you

in shocked and indignant amaze, summoning all her forces to meet this fury that had both astonishe

eyes and swing of shoulder, he drew aside to let her pass

e girlish brim youthened her mature beauty, rose from her seat with Mrs. Allen and Nancy Lang

d Nancy promised to come to my dinner to-night at the 'Farm.' I've asked some of the youngsters ou

w nice it would be of you to come too. Or do you fi

pottiswoode!" he said. "This is my luck