Los Angeles herald., 1892-06-12

"Yes. and We win begin ths story
then"
But the next evening came and the
story was not begun. IL called and tcpnd
williams, man mover oared for, Nix
ing TO Katharine. Williams wns doter,
mined to stay as long as I, and q our
story was. Of course, not mentioned. !
had to leave without making another
engagement.
went away in rathar an angry mood,
disguised with Williams, who had a.
ways seemed to me too familiar with
Katharine, and annoyed because I tam
cied that Katharine herself had treated
me somewhat coldly. Williams had
called on Katharine pretty frequently
Of late. Suppose she were TO marry
him. Why not? I disliked him per
sonally, but found upon sober reflec-
ton that knew Of absolutely nothing
against the man. Other people liked
him, men, as well as women. He was
Of good family, we'll of, and, I remern-
bered with distinct dissatisfaction, he
was remarkably good looking. There
was no reason in the world why Katha-
rine should not marry him il she chose,
even though did not like him. At all
events, thought I would speak to her
about him and see what she thought Of
him. ~ ), Z, 7ss.'.
/ never doubted but she would tell
me her sentiments in regard to him, 80
great had our confidence in each other
been ever since childhood.
called ON Miss Harwood the next
day. She received me very graciously,
and spent very delightful half hour
with her.
Unconsciously, however, began to
compare her with Katharine's descrip-
ton Of ian empty headed little fool.
Certainly she was very pretty, and her
manner and everything she said were
very charming. Her words were few,
but carefully chosen, and that which
they expressed was simple and to the
point. But l went away with 9 new
idea born into my brain. which grew
hour by hour until arrived at the con-
clusion that did not, nor could ever,
love Elsie HARDWOOD as Q man should
love his wife. S. aas haris.
Side by side with this thought com
panion idea evolved itself almost uncon-
sciously. Indistinct and Insignificant at
first, it gradually assumed o magnitude
and Importance until it mastered my
whole being, and then knew that
could love but one woman-she who
shared with me our SO called platonic
friendship, and my literary collabora.
tor. ~ A& y
In the meantime our story had made
no progress at all. Ihad only seen Kath-
arine in various public places and she
was always with some one--frequently
Williams They seemed very friendly
toward each other. Indeed, thought
at times that could detect love glancea
exchanged between them. I sighed tc
myself as thought of the old days oi
our friendship and the happy confidence
which we had reposed in each other,
"Alas," thought, sit is all over and
our poor little story will never be writ
ten, l fear.r
At last one day called and found heI
alone. Neither Of us spoke Of the story
at first, but different things entirely for
eign to it. Finally asked her about
| Williams-whether she cared for him o.
not.
I must have asked the question in al
unpleasant manner, for could see thai
she was hurt. For several minutes she
made me no answer. es
81 do not-see why you should ask me
that question" she said slowly, with hel
eyes fixed upon the floor.
81 have perfect right" I answered
.I want to know whether or not oul
| friendship is to come to an end"
at need never come to an end under
any circumstances. M
II do not believe it," I cried. "Katha
rine, if you marry that man, we car
never be friends again. Tell me, d.
you care for hin?"
Katharine laughed, and as hate tx
/ be laughed at grew angry.
"What about our theory that we arr
| going to express in our story? sh'
asked. - fsMa
"Oh, hang the storyl This is real life
and am in earnest. Do you love Dicl
| Wlll1am6r
II like him very much"
would you marry hi1nf"
81 call that question rather imperti
nent. Do you love Elsie Harwood2 AND
win she marry youY'
! Katharine laughed again, and my an
ger vanished. suddenly realized tina
she had been making game of me.
| Katharine, / said, ''you know whom
love. There is only one way that W
can ever finish our story. Shall we col
laborate for goodT
| And she said, eyes, and we did
And one sunshiny spring day we wrot
out this little story together, which is t
prove that platonic affection does nc
exist. And when we had nearly arrive
ut the end Katharine said, "How sha.
we finish itY' and ! said, "Like this,
brushing back as I spoke the brown hal
from her forehead to kiss it.--Yanke
Blade.