Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1896-01-30
PuTely PIatOniC.


OF love, matrimony and all that non
sense being introduced"
The speaker was tall. handsome
girl, with the physical beauty and grace
OF figure which athletic exercise has
bestowed upon the typical end of'thc-
century maiden. and though Florence
Masters could be soft. and even SYM
pathetic upon occasion, IL was only
within her own family circle that she
INDUCED mas she termed them--these
weaknesses.
Her companions We're two men in
boating fiannels, 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, of the
pure Anglo-Saxon type.
'If you are abiding to platonic
friendships, Miss Masters" answered
Captain Courtney, II am sorry to say
that cannot agree with YOU"
But why should friendship, and
friendship alone. be. more impossible
between a man and a woman than be-
tween two men or two women" In
quired Florence, impatiently
81 think you are quite right. Miss
Masters" obsered Norton. . Presum-
ing that their dispositions are sim
liar, that they have the same tastes and
inclinations, l don't see why Il man
and girl should not be as good chums
as two fellows
"Simply because it is impossible re-
piled Courtney. 1T is contrary to ma
ture. and can never endure"
"But j can assure you that / have
known cases of the purest rlatonic
friendship between girls and men"
persisted Florence.
"No doubt" answered Courtney. $50
have 1, but how long did they LAST
"Why should they not last as long as
friendships between men:"
Because one Of three things is
bound to happen" answered Courtney.
"Either the man falls in love with the
girl, or the girl falls in love with the
man, or else she becomes offended be-
ca use he does not pay her that trllu,e
OF admiration which every properly
constituted woman naturally expects
from q man who seeks her society in
preference to that of other people,
"Oh, that's all nonsense, Captain
Courtney exclaimed Florence, i'm
petuously. Take Mr.. Norton AMI my
SELF for instance. Do you mean To say
that we could not go out every day to-
gcther rowing or bicycling, or have a
set at tennis or Il game of golf without
one of us falling in love- us you call
it,"
eff you are meeting every day, Miss
Masters" replied Courtney, II should
consider it II very dangerous expert
ment. In fact. should call it playing
with fire.
"Upon my word. Charlie exclaimed
Norton, II am surprised 1T man OF
your experience talking so ridiculous
ly: Surely you must have known many
instances of such friendships, both in
India and on the voyage out and
home
Yes, have" replied Courtney. sig
niiicantly. "And / also know how they
Invariably ended
Look here, Mr.. Nortonr' exclaimed
Florence. LET you and form plat
Onic alliance, and show this stubborn
sceptic that we can practice what we
preach"
with all the pleasure in lifcr' cried
Norton.
But Courtney gave somewhat Gym
icaI smile, as he noticed that his friend
was not quite as enthusiastic in his re-
ply as he might have been.
THAT is n bargain, then" said Flor
ence; land now, is it not time we re-
turned to our boat?'
The above conversation took place
ia the early summer, and for the next
two or three months Florence and Nor
ton were inseparable. The latter was
an eligible party, both socially and fin
ancially, so that Mr.. Masters made nc
objection to the young man calling a;
his house every day, and attending his
daughter on her various boating and
cycling expeditions. The autumn was
well advanced, when one day Courtney
and Norton happened to meet UP in
town, when the latter said:
"Oh, I'm glad / saw you! Florence
told me to ask you to come down to O
bazaar arrangement, which she is set
ting up for next week."
''Oh, has it got as far as Christian
names?" asked Courtney, raising his
eyebrows and ignoring the invitation.
"Why not?" said Norton. II call YOU
Charlie; why should not call her Flor
ence?"
''Nc reason in the world so far as
aIn concerned, old boy" answered
Courtney. But take my advice. ant
remember the fable OF the moth ant
candle"
"You're so fond of measuring othe
peoples corns by your own bushel.
rejoined Norton, a trife irrimhly
Anyhow, IL l do burn my wings. 4
won't be Flor-Miss Masters fault"
thine will show, dear youth: tim,
will show" answered Courtney, witt
his satirical smile. "But I'll tell 30,
honestly shall expect to be best man.
Something upset you In town yester
day, Ned" remarked Florence as Nor
ton helped her to mount her cycle tn,
next morning. what was itT'
'Only that cynical wretch, Court
ney," was the reply. ''He is a regula
Diogenes, and ought to be shut up Il
a tub for the remainder of his natura
existence"
ooh, do you think sou replied Flor
ence. II like Captain Courtney i'm
mensely. There Is no frivolity O
h.. oI.