The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1901-11-09

and the little droop at the corners a.
her mouth which makes fellow say
that sort Of thing, you know.
Now, remember our compact" she
warned me. We were pledged to .
purely platonic friendship. I've had
that sort of thing in my tales, but It
always broke down.
The keeping OF platonic compact =
said I, would be . novel theme. don't
you think?''
would it be interesting enough ~
she asked, doubtfulIy.
"There! What stronger defense
could ! have? / propose to leave out
the love-making, and you say that the
interest would be gone. She drummed
upon the table with her fingers.
Surely there is some other theme 2"
/ knocked the ash deliberately of my
cigarette.
sUpon my werd," confessed, "I'm
not sure that there is. But I'll think
oyer it."
Then her brothers came in and we
changed the subject until I was going.
1t is part of the compact that she shall
see me out of the door. / insisted
upon it.
''When shall ! communicate the re.
suit of my deliberations?" asked in
the hall. Tomorrow"
"Pm going to vereker's."
"And Wednesday. I'm due At =
smoker, Thursday"
"If you like"
Thursday, then. Good night, Mary"
1t is in the compact that am not to
call her Mary, but do. Sometimes she
objects, some times she doesn't. On
this occasion she only tossed her head
and half turned away from me. She
IL aware that she looks we'll In profile.
I suddenly bent over her. and
1How dare you'll" she cried, holly.
II couldn't help it. Mary; you looked
80 tempting" But she ran upstairs,
with her face scarlet.
II shall not be in on Thursday" she
called, as she turned the corner. cor
any other day."
So I went out, feeling triumphantly
foolish
Next Thursday / called, and she
wasn't out; but she received me cook
", and kept the table between us.
Look here, Mary" began.
Miss Montague. II you please"
II don't please. 1t is quite natural
to call friend by her Christian name.r
"Ye-es; but people might misdnders.
stand, we agreed; and $50"
"I'm not going to pander TO other
peoples stupidity said, indignant
"; "and l don't consider that friend.
ship should have to- be weighed and
in exact words" / had pre-
pared this remark beforehand.
"No-o; perhaps not" knew Il
would score. 'sStill. there are bounds.
to, friendship" She shut her little.
mouth decisively.
"If you mean last Tpesday-
81 don't want to talk about It )" she
interrupted. "Have you considered
shout the stories ?"
Yes; have reasoned out my posi-.
ton most carefully-Mary." She
frowned, but passed the familiarity.
"And your conclusions? r.
els in verse. |"
20! how NIGEL" Women always like
4 fellow to run to verse. suppose it
IS because he is sure to give himself
away! "Let me see IT,
"Oncondition that you read it aloud
She looked objections. II want to
hear If have got the swing"
So she detained softly. + think
said that she had pretty voice.
TO MARY.
made me q tale of the tempest at sea,
Full of thunder and lightning above,
And the terrors that be when the storm.
winds are free
But the end Of the story was love!
sang me song OF raid In the glen.
With . lit Of the pipers who played,
Strike again, strike again. and die lighting
like men.
And the struggle was over maid:
planned me play Of monarch Of fame.
And his courtiers in siii<en attire.
Ana MS statesmen, who came like a moth
to the flame-
For pair Of bright eyes were the IRE!
paesned the praise OF an hero 70 calm.
And SO strong in the tumult to stand,
When found me the charm that had
strengthened his arm
II was only the touch Of a handa
And I? If my heart for moment be strong.
II my tale for page ring sincere,
e e., II merits belong tothe play or the song
" ire Tr~ 49, 49, - =