The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1901-10-17

tHdl SURF OI lulHS, you huON.
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 a platonic compact"
said l, would be a novel theme, don't
you think?'
would it be interesting enough?"
she asked, doubtfully.
There! What stronger defense
could l have? l propose to leave out
the love-making, and you say that the
interest would be gone" She drummed
upon the table with her fingers.
Surrey there is some other theme?"
I knocked the ash deliberately off my
cigarette.
Upon my word" l confessed, I'm
not sure that there is. But I'll think
over it."
Then her brothers came in and we
changed the subject until l was going.
1t is part of the compact that she shall
see me out of the door. L insisted
| upon it.
when shall I communicate the re-
suit of my deliberations" asked in
the hall. "To-morrow?"
"Fm going to Workers."
"And Wednesday, I'm due at a
smoker. Thursday"
"If you like"
Thursday, then. Good night. Mary"
| 1t is in the compact that | am not to
call her Mary, but do. Some times she
objects, sometimes she doesn't. On
this occasion she only tossed her head
and half turned away from me. She
is aware that she looks well in profile.
1 suddenly bent over her. and
Glow dare you!" she cried, holly.
81 couldn't help it, Mary; you looked
so tempting" But she ran upstairs,
with her face scarlet.
81 shall not be in on Thursday" she
called, as she turned the corner, "or
any other day"
So went out, feeling triumphantly
foolish.
Next Thursday I called, and she
wasn't out; but she received me cool
ly. and kept the table between us.
"Look here, Mary" began.
"Miss Montague, if you please!"
81 don't please. 1t is quite natural
to call friend by her Christian name"
"Ye-es; but people might misunder-
stand, we agreed; and So"
"Im not going to Rander to other
peoples stupidity" l said, indignant
/ l,,. Iar'+ comedian Tint frianH
ship should have to be weighed and
measured in exact words" | had pre-
pared this remark beforehand.
MOO: perhaps not" 1 knew it
would score. Still, there are bounds
to friendship" She shut her little
mouth decisively.
"If you mean last Tuesday"
81 don't want to talk about it," she
interrupted. "Have you considered
about the stories?"
"Yes; L have reasoned out my posi-
ton most carefully-Mary." She
frowned, but passed the familiarity.
"And your conclusions?"
SIS in verse"
so! how NIGEL" Women always like
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. 81 want to
hear if | have got the swing"
SO she acclaimed softly. 1 think
said that she had a pretty voice.
| To MARY
I made me 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!
I sang me a song of a raid in the glen.
With a Tilt of the pipers who played,
Strike again, strike again, and die fighting
like meni
And the struggle was over maid
I planned me play of a monarch of fame.
And his courtiers in silken attire.
And his statesmen, who came like a moth
to the flame
For pair of bright eyes were the fire.
I paeaned the praise of an hero so calm,
And so strong in the tumult to stand,
When l found me the charm that had
strengthened his arm
1t was only the touch of a hand!
And I? If my heart for moment be strong,
If my tale for page ring sincere,
Or If merits belong to the play or the song
They are only your echoes, my dear!
When she came to the last line her
voice was very soft, and just a little
fearful. l put my hand on her shoui-
der, and we stood looking silently at
the paper for a minute. Then | drew
her gently to me-the way the stories
end!-Black and White.