Middletown transcript., 1896-01-25


W :: &C.; :: e; -: !: !: :: !:
all that nonsense being introduced"
/ The speaker was tall, handsom
: girl, with the physical beauty an
grace of figure which athletic exercis
, has bestowed upon the typical end-o
the century maiden, and though Flor
ence Masters could be soft, and evel
sympathetic upon occasion, it was onl,
} within her own family circle that sh,
INDUCED. in-as she termed them
these weaknesses.
Her companions we're two men ir
boating fannels, both good looking
| but in totally different ways, for while
Captain Charles Courtney was dark,
with his olive skin bronzed by service
in India, Edwin Norton was fair, oi
the pure Anglo-Saxon type.
''If you are alluding to platohic
friendships, Miss Masters,o answered
Captain Courtney, II am sorry to say
that | cannot agree with you."
L "But why should friendship, and
friendship alone, be more impossible
between man and a woman than be-
tween two men or two women?o in
quired Florence, impatiently.
II think you are quite right, Miss
Masters" obsered Norton. .'Presum-
ing that their dispositions are sim liar,
that they have the same tastes and in
clinatlons, | d mt see why man and
a girl should not be as good chums as
two fellows"
''Simply because it is impossible y
replied Courtney. SIT is contrary to
nature, and can never endure.''
"But can assure you that I have
known cases of the purest platonic
friendship between girls and men. y
persisted Florence.
mo doubt" answered Courtney.
$50 have I, but how long did they
last?u
sWhy should they not last as long
as friendships between men2n
because one of three things is
bound to happen," answered Courtney.
ssEither the man falls in love with the
girl, or the girl falls in love with the
man, or else she becomes offended be-
cause he does not pay her that tribute of
admiration which every properly. con-
stituted woman naturally expects from |
a man who seeks her society in prefer
ence to that of other people,"
ssOh, that's all nonsense, Captain
Courtneyl' exclaimed Florence, inn
petuously. Take Mr.. Norton and
myself for instance. Do you mean
to say that We could not go out every
day together rowing or bicycling, or
have set at tennis or a game Of golf
without one of US, falling in love- as
you call it?"
"If you are meeting every day, Miss
replied Courtney. II should
consider it very dangerous experi-
ment. In fact, should call it play
ing with fire.n II
Upon my word, Charlie, !" exclaimed
Norten. II am surprised at a man of
7onr experience talking 50 ridiculouslyl I
surely you must have known many in l
tances of such friendships, both in
ndia and on the voyage out and ,
ome.n r
Eyes, have,'' replied Courtney c
igniGcantly. "And | also know how It
hey invaribly ended. y II
s'Look here, Mr. Noltn,l' ex- $
laimed Florence. Let you aid | r.
,rm a platform alliancr,, and show
lis stubborn skrptie that we eau 4
ractiss what we preach" t
"With all the pleasure IN lif.l" criad il
ort on. u
But Courtney gave a somewhat Gym Il
al smile, as he noticed that his
lend was not quite as enthusiastic in sd
$ reply as he might have been. C.
"That is a bargain, them" said Flor
ice; ''and now, is it not time We re- N
rpod IN orr haat23 10
The above conversation took place
the early summer, and for the next pl
% or three months Florence and Nor 81
n were inseparable. The latter was an pc
gible party, both socially and fnan- pa
lily, so that Mr.. Masters made no W;
lection to the young man calling at wi
house every day, and attend ing his
lighter on various boating and eye fir
g expeditions. The autumn was tul
ii advanced, when one day Courtney gu
Norton happened to meet up in
wn, when the latter said: ths
Oh. Pm glad saw you'll Florence exl
d me to ask you to come down to an,
'aar arrangement, which she is set me
g up for next week.,' yoi
oh, has it got as far as Christian tha
nesi" asked Courtney, raising his Out
brows and ignoring the invitation. nee
Why notPv said Morton. 'sI call me
arlie; why should not l call her ing
Mis
No reason in thv world so far as I pur
concerned, old boy.n answered \
lrtney. "But take my advice. and like
,ember the fable Of the moth and mai
dle.n = .
You're SO fond of measuring other 9
ple's corn BY your own bushel, - sho
.;nnH s~-.stxf.. .