Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1901-10-02
FRIEND

Both Alice Hartwell and Ned Morgan
Intended to accomplish something in
life, and with each other they were in
nowise reticent as to what they should
demand of the world.
They had been friends from youth,
and when the girls return renewed
that friendship in all its intensity the
gosslps had much to say of long set
tied matrimonial understanding.
1t was the subject of conversation
one August afternoon as they sat to-
gether in the cooling shade of the vines
on the Hartwell porch.
''The very ideaw laughed Ned.
"These old people here haven't any
idea beyond marrying and dying.
Can't they understand that there are
some other contingencies of existence
besides these?"
''Of course not" answered Alice. also
laughing. land they would deem it
rank heresy to hear you say so. You
must remember that Blanktown has
its code of rules and proprieties as
changeless as the laws of the Modes
and Persians."
1.-THE very idea of you and me being
lovers" went on Ned, when we have
been playmates, chums, companions
from the mud pie period"
1.-THE ideap echoed Alice. "Why.
there couldn't possibly be any romance
about such thing"
Familiarity kills romance. you
know" He said it as If he were utter
ing one of the foundation truths of the
ages. And she acquiesced with "Of
course"
"These people here" he continued In
an oracular tone, cannot appreciate
the beauty of a perfect friendship ex-
listing between man and woman. They
can only conceive of such friendly re-
lation degenerating into an affair Of
kisses, tears and sentiment"
'But we shall give them an example
Of something different, shall we not,
NedT
"Yes, of perfect friendship, where
sex shall not be considered. where one
shall be the confidant, the critic and
the inspiration of the other"
''How glorious it will be, Ned! What
a help we may be to each other! We
shall be such friends as Hannah More
and DR.. johnson or Chateaubriand
and Mime. Recamier, Paula and Jer-
ONE"
Well. Ned went to work and Alice
went to work. Ned plugging away at
the law and she entering the schools
as a teacher, for neither was rich.
And their friendship did prove help
full to each other. for he was an artist
student and she was a stern critic.
And they were confidants.
II know that you will talk to me
with perfect honesty, Alice" he said.
II don't believe l really love Mary
Mason as the world looks on love, but
then she is good, sensible girl The
match would be a good one and help
full in worldly sense. and as for love
well, love win come with associa-
ton"
"Of course" said Alice, "of course
But Ned. do you think that just her
particular cast of mind would suit you?
She seems so terribly practical, you
know, Ned. She doesn't seem to have
those soft. womanly qualities that it
seems to me a man would like. I
wouldn't discourage you for an IN
slant, Ned. But do you think you
would be really happy with her, NedT
well, that's it." said Ned, stroking
his bare chin. That's 1t. For the life
of me don't know. A mans got to be
mighty careful, mighty careful"
Yes. he has" said Alice, and then
for some unaccountable reason she
went home and cried herself to sleep.
But that's just like a woman, you
know.
One day in the vacation period Alice
came to Ned for advice.
II have found teaching hard and
tiresome, Ned" she said. "And, after
all, the little home trials that a woman
overcomes are her best conquests.
have no desire to go back to the school
room, and / have a chance to make a
home for myself. Henry Armstrong
has asked me to marry him. You know
he is a kind hearted man, Ned. and he
is settled and well fixed. Tell me. what
do you think about it, Ned 2"
"Why. Alice" said the young man,
4 had no idea you were SO mercenary."
I'm not. Ned
"Oh. don't talk to me! Henry Arm
strong, indeed! But marry him-marry
him by all means"
why. you're not angry. are you,
Ned 2"
what mean is that don't think
that Henry Armstrong Is half good
enough for you. and don't believe you
love him either"
'T don't know that I do, but you
didn't love Mary Mason either-at least
you said So"
"oh. that's right! Throw that folly
into my face"
"Well, thought
eyes. You thought. a woman like
you. Alice, needs somebody to think for
her" And this lord Of creation stalked
away In high dudgeon.
He wrote a letter that night and
yostad IL and Allies receiyod IL nv the