Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1907-12-26
Platonic Friendship

aged by every parent"
ct never will be-, I asserted.
She looked at me critically. ''You say
that because that is what you hope.
Indeed, no. replied theoretically.
Il am past the age to need anyone to
encourage Dsy friendships.
"Ah!" said Phoebe thoughtfully.
"You still approve of platonic friend
ship" I queried
Il do she said, warmly ct is the
ideal"
THE difficulty is" I remarked, "a
few of us maintain the ideal"
''The frailty of man." quoth Phoebe.
COR woman, | interpolated.
Yes" agreed Phoebe. at really is
disheartening.
which," I queried
Phoebe ignored the question. Direct
ly one begins thoroughly to understand
a man, she hesitated.
$50 your experiments have not al
ways been successful" I remarked.
Phoebe sighed plaintively.
you are persevering," I observed.
/ had a suspicion that for some time
Phoebe had been endeavoring to make
experiments with me- |, on the other
hand, was anxious to make an expert
ment with Phoebe, but of quite diff
ferent nature; it was an open question
which would prevail.
Are you very busy at present?" |
inquired.
Phoebe hesitated. eff you mean have
| many platonic friends. | have three"
cat Christmas there were ten," l
said severely.
Phoebe looked penitentor was it only
for me to see the length Of her lashes?
Who are they?" l demanded.
MIR Elliot, Mr.. Bruce and Jack Rog
erS."
HUM" l murmured, Elliot has
9150 Il year; Bruce has to keep a
home for three sisters, Rogers is lame
lame and consumptive, I see"
Il was bitterly disappointed" sighed
Phoebe.
YES" l agreed; "all the nice ones
have irretrievably committed them
selves. 1t is hard luck.
Phoebe flushed Indignantly. 81 did
not mean that" she exclaimed hotly.
The truth is l said, you are dis
appointed that those three did not do
likewise"
Phoebe was seriously annoyed. Il
thought at least, Mr.. Temple, you were
educated enough to appreciate friend
ship in its highest FORM" she said
frigidly, instead of making it the tar
get for your subtle wit
accepted the reproOff-I deserved 1t.
81 am wondering whether my at
tempt to appreciate friendship in it's
highest form will be doomed to fail
ure," | remarked pleasantly, after a
minute or two's silence.
Yours" Phoebe was startled out OF
her cloak Of righteous indignation.
ooh, yes! Didn't you know?" | re-
piled. Il followed your example just
after Christmas. l thought you would
have heard There were no lack OF
comments, | assure you"
But | thought you disapproved of
the whole thing" said Phoebe, with an
injured air.
"You-and others-converted me-" I
said maliciously.
Phoebe made an exclamation which
might have been anything
"In fact" | continued 81 am quite
an advocate Of platonic friendship
now. 1 have one fear, though"
What is that?" asked Phoebe
sharply.
THAT ours should as so many OF
yours have done, have an untimely
ending"
Phoebe jumped to conclusions.
"You mean,' she said anxiously,
that you want to end it..
We'll" | admitted, cit is something
like that"
Phoebe paused moment 81 know
who it is" she said defantly
do you?" | said politely.
Yes" exclaimed Phoebe, scorn-
fully. Its Dora Russell. l might
have known it long ago"
Miss Russell" l remarked, bland
ly SIS a charming girl"
"She is a detestable fiirt," said
Phoebe, spitefully.
Il thought you were such friends"
Il never could see that she was pref
ty," exclaimed Phoebe,
Zone never thinks of appearances In
an ideal friendship" | remarked
PhOebe'S face was in the shadow, Il
suppose may congratulate you soon?"
she said in an expressionless voice.
I'm not quite sure, l replied. Il
hope So"
Phoebe looked suddenly tired.
Il wonder if you would mind going
now" she said, with Il pathetic little
smile"I have wretched headache
and-er-Mr. Temple, Dora, is really
she's pretty, too
My conscience smOte me.
Phoebe" I exclaimed impulsiyely.
She looked at me.
Miss Russell is engaged"
Phoebe put her hand to her head
YEARLY. Yes" she said. 'sYou told
me so a minute ago. | congratulate
you"
But, it's not to me-" | explained.
"lts to Mark Brown, That's why |
don't think she'll care to continue her
friendship with me much longer Do
you see?"
"Ah!" Phoebe drew in a long breath.
What | really came for this after
noon" | continued, looking into her
eyes, was to ask you if you'd take
pity on me-