Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1892-05-25
A TRIAL IN FICTION.

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.
And indeed l believe one may wish
to write without even possessing the
thoughts to embody in ones efusions,
SO great is the fascination of seeing ones
own writings in print.
To this curious malady 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
azines. Consequently, l 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 a warm interest in
my literary work, was girl-Miss
Katharine Merry. I had known Miss
Merry almost from childhood and had
always had considerable admiration for
her. looked upon her as entirely diff
ferent from the other girls of my ac-
quaintance. 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
l 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.
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, contenting
ourselves with mentioning historical
cases.
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 of
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 mother
went ahead, Miss Merry and I strolled
slowly after them, discussing the sub
ject which had been under consideration
at dinner.
"Why, of course it is possible" she
said. ''There are you and p
4O UO quiz, cbuo w Ou, WO 10 4t-
ing flesh and blood evidence? By the
way, have a scheme. Why shouldn't
we write a story together about a pla-
tonic friendship? think we could work
it up in great shape
'That's capital idea" exclaimed Miss
Merry. "You could furnish the mans
ideas, and the woman's."
"Good! Already 1 behold the COM
Portable check which shall reward us
for our labor"
"Oh, that is too bad. You are always
putting a cash value on Things. Re
member, sir, that this is story that is
to show the world how paatonic friend
ships may and do exist
"AIl right. When shall we-commence
work? You know we must talk our
plot over first. Tomorrow is my day
off from the paper. Shall I can in the
afternoon
"Yes, do, and we can take a walk
and arrange the plot"
Thus it was arranged that we should
collaborate in story, and the following
day, according to the engagel aent, l
called at the Merry household.
Miss Merry came down ready for the
walk, with her hat and gloves already
on. That was one of her charaesteris-
tics-she never kept one waiting. 1t is
little things like this that make ycu feel
a platonic friendship for girl, if any
thing will.
''I've been thinking of title for our
story" she cried. ''What shall we call it?'
"You must name it" said, that is
part of your share of the labor
every well, then, let us call it Two
Friends"
''That's a capital idea. Now for the
plot"
The plot was hard thing to settle.
The story must have some element to
lend color to it. Love of course was
barred out, and friendship must take it's
place; but how, and what incidents to
make use of in order to portray it hap
PLY, was an extremely knotty and diff
cult question. One thing we fixed upon.
There must be a noble sacrifice on the
part of one or both of our characters.
But of what nature and circumstances it
should be we could not determine.
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