The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1894-06-02
A TRIAL IN FICTION.

There is 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 OF to
her
And indeed believe one may wish
70 write without even possessing the
thoughts to embody in ones effusions.
so great is the fascination ~ 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. At twenty
TWO ! occupied minor editorial position
on daily paper. and had had one OF two
stories accepted by one Of the great mag
azines Consequently. | began to feel
rather important in a 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 a girl-Miss
Katharine Merry | 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-
ouaintance 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 a girl to fiirt
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
10 despise fiattery. 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 we'll. 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 mucl
mooted question as TO whether such 4
thing as a platonic love were possible
Miss Merry and myself both argued
warmly for the affirmative. and proba
bly, we each thought of our mutua
friendship rs an instance, although upos
that point we kept silent, contentini
ourselves with mentioning historical
cases
The other side. however, probably be
cause those who constituted 1t were bet
ter informed and more able 10 expires
their ideas. had somewhat the best o
the argument. and Miss Merry and |. al
though still unconvinced. were com
PEELED to withdraw from the battle.
walked home with the MerIys after
ward. and while her father and mothe
went ahead. Miss Merry and ! strolle'
slowly after them, discussing the sub
ject which had been under consideration
az dinner
why. of course it is possible sh
said. There are you and r
To be sure / answered, 1--WE are iN
ing flesh and blood evidence BY tn
way. / have d scheme. Why shouldn
we write a story together about a pla
tonic friendship | think we could wor
II up in great shape.
That's a capital idea, exclaimed Mis-
Merry. you could furnish the man
ideas. and the woman's.
Good Already | behold the con
Portable check which shall reward q
for our labor
"Oh. that is too bad You are aiwaN
putting cash value on things: X
member, sir. that this is story that
TO show the world how platonic trien'
ships may and do exist.
An right. When shall we commen'
work. You know we must talk OF
plot over first. Tomorrow Is my da
of from the paper Shall l call IN Il
afternoon
Yes. do. and we can take wal
and arrange the plot.
Thus il was arranged that we shou
conaborate in a story, and the foliowil
day. according TO the engagement
called M the Merry household
Miss Merry came down ready Tor q
walk, with her hat and gloves aireae
on. That was one Of her character
r.cs--she never kept one waiting IL