The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1904-01-16
THE pom7rof VIEW.

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Failing in love-" said she, is ab-
surd."
We were discussing her cousins en-
gagement. .
IT depends" said I. upon the point
Of view"
You can't make black white" she
protested, however you look at It.
You call yourself platonist!"
l call myself anything that gives a
chance of unlimited discussion with
Molly.
Quite SO. AS platonist hold that
falling in love is undesirable, II not
necessarily absurd.
"The absurd is necessarily undesira-
ble."
Not bit. You are absurd"
I'm sure I'm not" ,...r
But extremely desirable"
IT you mean"
"As a platonic companion.
"Platonic friendship has nothing
whatever to do with falling in love"
She was SO emphatic that knew she
was doubtful.
"The same qualities which, from an
enlightened standpoint, make you de-
sirable as a platonic friend. from an
other point of view, would excuse an
ill-regulated person for falling in love
with you.''
How dare you speak in that way?"
she demanded hotly. "Of course. i
shouldn't allow any one to do such
thing; hut, If any one did, l don't see
why he should be called names"
Neither do l. That's just it,
"Of course. he would be very fool.
ish." ...
EXACTLY ''
Mamma will be wanting me-" she
loftily. $50 perhaps you can
6nd something to amuse yourself!"
She gathered up her woods and rose.
Don't 90 for minute. Molly" !
pleaded.
Il am going this instant,
She sat down again.
What meant" l explained, was
that. although he would be foolish
from our standpoint not to embrace
the opportunities Of the higher platon-
lc friendship which we have found so
Have we?" she observed. with
great disdain.
yet he would be human. rather
than absurd, in falling victim to your
charms. Speaking with the brotherly
trankness allowed by our compact,
they are so considerable-"
"Flattery is forgiven by the COM
pact" she said. In moliifed tone.
'Of course, I know you don't mean It,"
But / do. You have way OF look.
ing at a fellow"
Il haven't"
(Which might easily disturb sus-
,eptible mind" s.rt
"You silly 1ellow!"
"A way" l repeated, feelingly,
which is very trying even to so pro-
1ounced a platonist as l."
II sometimes think" she murmured,
that your platonic views
ire not so pronounced as you profess" :"
Surely my practice confirms my the
,ry" l inquired, with astonishment.
Last night, when you put us in the
She paused, doubtfully. I raised
ny hands in protest.
"A casual and extremely slight de-
ration from the platonic standpoint"
Her mother was with her. Il may
AVE squeezed your hand little. but
What of that? Why, you returned
II didn't. 1t was absurd Of you"
Again, you might refer to the
light we walked home from Hamil.
on's." ~ ..
II am not likely to refer to that"
"But | wish to be clear from any risk
4 misconception." l insisted loftfly.
1t is true kissed you. but"
II was exceedingly cross" She
wasn't.
THAT, again. was merely a relapse
nto the-er-human point of view, for
which I was not responsible"
I'm sure wasn't"
Excuse me. You twisted a wrap
cund your shoulders so that you
ooked-well, If l were speaking from
n ordinary point Of view, should say
ewitching."
81 don't want to talk about It,"
"You have such big, deep eyes"
My appearance has nothing to do with
be matter"
1T has great deal to do with it
rom some points of view"
"You have no business to take such
oints Of view. We agreed not to be
foolish"