The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-12-22
PURELY PLAToNIC OF COURSE.
From the London World.


love. matrimony, and all that nonsense
being introduced"
The speaker was a tall, handsome girl,
with the physical beauty and grace of fig
ure which athletic exercise has bestowed
upon the typical end-of-the-century mai
den, and though Florence Masters could
be soft. and even sympathetic upon oeca-
sion. it was only within her own family
circle that she INDUCED mas she termed
them-these weaknesses.
Her companions were two men in boat
ing fiannels. both good looking, but in
totally different way: for while Capt.
Charles Courtney was dark. with his olive
skin bronzed by service in India, Edwin
Norton was fair, of the pure Anglo-Sax-
on type.
IF you are abiding to platonic friend
ships. Miss Masters" answered Capt.
Courtney, II am sorry to say that 1 can
not agree with you
But why should friendship, and friend
ship alone, be more impossible between a
man and woman than between two mon
or two women?" inquired Florence i'm
patiently.
Il think you are quite right, Miss Mas
ters,' observed Norton. Presenting that
their dispositions are similar, that they
have the same tastes and inclinations, l
don't see why, a man and girl should
not be as good chums as two fellows
simply because it is impossible" re-
piled Courtney. 1t is contrary TO nature,
and can never endure"
But assure you | have known cases
! of the purest platonic friendship between
girls and men," persisted Florence.
mo doubt" answered Courtney. so
have /, but how long did they last?"
why should they not last as long as
friendships between men2"
Because one of three things is bound
fg ~
the man falls in love with the girl, or the
girl falls in love with the man. or else
she becomes offended because he does
not pay her that tribute of admiration
which every properly constituted woman
naturally expects from a man who seeks
her society in preference to that of other
"Oh, that's all nonsense, Capt Court
ney!' exclaimed Florence. impetuously.
Take Mr. Norton and myself, for in
stance. Do you mean to say that we
cycling, or have a set at tennis or
game of golf without one Of us falling
in love as you call it?'
IF you are meeting every day, Miss
Masters, replied Courtney Il should
consider 1t very dangerous experiment.
In fact l should call it playing with
Upon my word. Charlie" exclaimed
Norton. Il am surprised at a man of your
you must have known many instances of
such friendships, both in India and on
the voyage out and home"
Yes, l have" replied Courtney, sig
nificantly. And l also know how they
have invariably ended"
Look here, Mr. Norton" exclaimed
| Florence. Let you and form platonic
alliance and show this stubborn skeptic
that we can practice what we preach"
with all the pleasure in lifev' cried
Norton
But Courtney gave a somewhat cynical
smile as he noticed that his friend was
not as enthusiastic in his reply as he
might have been.
There is a bargain, then" said Flor
ence and now is It not time that we re-
turned to our boat?"
The above conversation took place in
the early summer, and for the next two
or three months Florence and Norton
were inseparable. The latter was an ehgi-
BILE Darti, both socially and financially, so
| that Mr.. Masters made no objection to
| the young man calling at his house every
| day and attending his daughter on her
| various boating and cycling expeditions.
| The autumn was we'll advanced. when
one day Courtney and Norton happened
to meet up in town, when the latter said:
ION, i m glad saw yOul Florence told
me to ask you to come down to a bazaar
arrangement which she is setting up for
next week"
"Oh, has 1T got as far as Christian
names?" asked Courtney. raising his eye
brows and ignoring the invitation.
Why not?' said Norton. II call you
CharEe-why should / not call her Flor
mo reason in the world, so far as l am
Courtney.
But take my advice. and remember the
fable of the moth and the candle
you're so fond of measuring other peo-
pies corn by your own bushel," rejoined
Norton, a trife irritabiy. Anyhow, if I
do burr, my wings 1t won't be Flor-Miss
Masters fault"
show" answered Courtney, with his sa
tirical smile But I'll tell you honestly,
1 shall expect to be best man"
Something upset you In town yester-
day, Ned" remarked Florence as Norton
helped her to mount her cycle the next
morning. What was it?'
"Only that cynical wretch, Courtney"
was the reply. "He is a regular Diogenes,
remainder OF his natural existence"
"Oh. do you think so?" replied Florence.
81 like Capt. Courtney immensely. There
is no frlvolity or nonsense about him; he
always says what he means"
Yes, and too plainly sometimes" OBJ
served Norton, a little bitterly. ''As a
matter of fact, | don't think he is a
good companion for any young girl, and
l wish you wouldn't encourage him quite
Encourage him. repeated Florence.
with the slightest possible touch of ha-
teur IN her voice what on earth do you
"Why, at the Dawson's ball the other
evening you danced twice running with
him, and then let him take you down to
land why? Because you were so bus
lily engaged with Laura Lifferton that
had arranged"
My dear Florence" demonstrated Nor
ton, that was misunderstanding, / can
assure you. AS | explained to you before
have no recollection of having made
and arrangement with you as to supper
ooh, well, don't let us quarrel about
1t" interrupted Florence. Let us change
the conversation. What did Capt Court
ney say to upset you to-day?"
"Oh, he was chatting me about our
friendship"
.'Yes?" inquired Florence eagerly. And
what did you say?"
"oh, told him that IL 1 burnt my
wings 1t wouldn't be your faultr' replied
Norton almost savagely"
Florence gave him a quick side glance.
and then after a moments hesitation
observed: That was a somewhat silly re-
mark to make. wasn't it? 1t might lead
him to think that our alliance was not
such success as 1t undoubtedly is
Il don't think so,' answered Norton
81 gave him to understand that we had
not altered our opinions in the least"
"Oh, that's all right them By-the-by, I
hope you did not forget to invite him down
for the bazar?'
"Oh. no. didn't forget! And that re-
minds me-did you think Of asking little
Laura to helD2''