Los Angeles herald., 1892-06-12

&C. w. Baker in Cincinnati Enquirer.
A TRIAL in FICTION.
There is a time in the life of nearly
every educated person when he feels
that fierce, unconquerable desire to
write-to put into words for the benefit
of coming generations such thoughts
and fancies as may occur to him or to
her. Isst shb}
And indeed ! believe one may wish
to write without even possessing the
thoughts to embody in ones effusions.
SO great is the fascination of seeing ones
own writings in print. eaf
To this curious mslady became an
early victim. And the acceptance of an
occasional poem by various weekly pa
pers added fresh fuel to the unquench-
able fire of literary ambition. Attwenty-
two occupied minor editorial position
on daily paper, and had had one or two
stories accepted by one Of the great mag
axines. Consequently, 1 began to feel
rather important in literary way, and
this tendency was decidedly encouraged
by compliments, sincere and otherwise,
of those with whom came in contact.
One of these, and one who from its
beginning had taken warm interest in
my literary work, was girl-Niss
Katharine Merry. l had known Miss
Merry almost from childhood and had
always had considerable admiration for
her. I looked upon her as entirely diff
ferent from the other girls Of my &C
auaintance. She was rather intellectual
in her tastes, very fond of reading. and
had even published some very credit
able verses, although she was my Junior
by two years. She was not girl to firt
with, and she absolutely disliked com
pliments. That is, she really did dis
like them, differing in this respect from
the majority Of women, who may affect
to despise fattery, but who are none the
less susceptible to its influence. She and
were hail fellow well met together to
a more or less degree. We understood
each other very well, were interested in
each others projects and enjoyed COM
pairing notes over our failures and sue
cesSes. .s
One night, when it so happened that
we were both dining at the same house,
the conversation turned upon that much
mooted question as to whether such a
thing as platonic love were possible.
Miss Merry and myself both argued
warmly for the affirmative, and proba.
bly, we each thought of our. mutual
friendship as an instance, although upon
that point we kept SILENT contentine
ourselves with mentioning historical
cases. ft
The other side, however, probably be
cause those who constituted it were bet
ter informed and more able to express
their ideas, had somewhat the best o.
the argument, and Miss Merry and l, al
though still unconvinced, were com
PEELED to withdraw from the battle.
walked home with the Merrys after
ward, and while her father and mothe,
went ahead, Miss Merry and l strollei
slowly after them, discussing the sub
ject which had been under consideration
at dinner. a
"Why, of course it is possible" sh,
said. "There are you and P
"To be sure" answered, 1--WE are hv
ing flesh and blood evidence? By tn,
way, have scheme. Why shouldn't
we write a story together abont pla
tonic friendship? think we could worl
it up in great shape"
''That's capital idea, exclaimed Mis-
Merry. "You could furnish the man
ideas, and l the woman's."
''Goodl Already behold the com
Portable check which shall reward u
for our labor" @,5 ~
"Oh, that is too bad. You are alway
putting a cash value on things. Re
member, sir, that this is story that i
to show the world how platonic friend
ships may and do exist"
''All right. When shall we commenc
work? You know we must talk Gu
plot over first. Tomorrow is my da,
off from the paper. Shall ] call in tn
afternoonY' .saA
"Yes, do, and we can take a wal
and arrange the plot" faa
Thus it was arranged that we shoul
collaborate in story, and the followin
day, according to the engagement,
called at the Merry household.
Miss Merry came down ready for tn
walk, with her hat and gloves alread
ON. That was one of her characters
tics-she never kept one waiting. 1t
nrtle things like this that maks You feel
platonic friendship for girl, if any.
thing will
sTve been thinking of q title for ou,
story" she cried. "What shall we call itY
ssYou must name it, said, "that il
part of your share of the labor"
every well, then, let us call it Tive
Friends"
''That's capital idea. Now for tn
plot" ..-.se -