The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1908-02-05

WHtH YOU are ready 10 open SUD-
ject that may be Of more interest than
any ! am able to suggest shall be
glad to talk to YOU she said Jelly.
Corrigan smiled broadly. but sur
reptftiously Had Alicia seen him thus
amused he would have been left with
only the crimson ramblers for compau-
IONS
But, upon my word. Alicia. am in
terested," he said earnestly 1--WE new
err been so absorbed in a study in my
life. Why, my dear girl, if 1t weren't
for my-my belief in platonfc love I
might never have known you so WELL
Alicia confronted him with a half
smile that. even in its semicompletion.
was most attractive.
That's the Irish in you, Dick! You
always manage to say something that
will make the. worst case of mad turn
to JOY" she said, removing her big
droopy hat and dangling it by the
strings. That's one reason why
love to be friends with you"
'"Then it is true that God is good to
the Irish,'' he laughed. and, subtle as it
was, Alicia extracted the compliment
and beamed good nature on him again
you see, Dick" she began as if she
were commencing a fairy story to an
incredulous child. lit is so-well. it is
such a tremendous comfort to be just
friends with a man.
YES" said Dick readily, I'm friends
with several
"Silly! / mean for a girl. She can
go about with him, ask him to- do this
and that for her and feel that she is
not putting herself under Obligation
IL she's only friends with him, where
as, if he's in love with her. he expects
her to marry him and-and it just
/ spoils everything!'
/ I'm jolly glad I'm not sentimental"
said Corrigan with a purpose if with
out veracity. You'd have banished me
long ago"
you can have sentiment without be-
ing sentimental" she fastened to ex-
lain" And for some reason or other
flush stained her cheeks, and her eyes
dropped
tits just as clear as-as mud" Cor
rigan laughed in spite of his efforts to
be serious.
Alicia's eyes flashed.
''See here, Dick Corrigan, l believe
you are making fun of me. Deep down
in my own heart | know from your
own actions and your whole attitude
toward me that you agree with me,
but just to amuse yourself you make
fun of me. I'm sure you like me-" she
went on, "just as | like you, or you
wouldn't seek me out and want to be
with me day after day. as you do, and
that-that very fact proves to me that
you are in sympathy with my own at
titude. We are friends. and you know
it." she declared challengingIy. Then
she rose abruptly from the stone seat
and walked over to the baIustrade
with her back toward him. Come,
Pretzel.' she said imperatiEely. as If
calling her dog from a communicating
influence.
Corrigan' began to whistle very soft
ly to himself while the small Dutch
dog eyed him accusingly
Alicia said Corrigan's deep voice
fondly from the depths of the great
stone seat. He had not moved. And
right here it might be observed that
Alicia always selected picturesque set
tings for her discourses. The old gar
den, shady and secluded, breathing ro-
nance and the fragrance of roses, was
idealIfor platonics.
"Alicia," repeated Dick. when his
first effort gained no response.
With studied reluctance she turned
her head.
I'D like to ask a few questions" he
said, still somewhat rindifferently.
'Ill be glad to answer Them
The frigidity of her tone moved Cor
rigan almost to the point of turning up
his coat collar, but his better judgment
prevailed.
''This old guy, Plato he was be-
ginning as he walked toward her
"Dickr'
Her glance and tone froze the words.
Pm sorry he said contritely.
"But, Alicia, wonder If he ever knew
the most beautiful woman in the
world? I wonder If he could have
been with her almost daily for seven
months? And yet, no, how could he?.
He lived B. CT
In spite of herself Alicia dimpled.
''It was beauty of mind, mental excel,
lencies, that he admired" she remark
ed wisely.
perhaps that's what l admire in
you, but somehow doubt it."
'My mental powers are not wholly
to be despised." pouted Alicia.
mo. But an ordinary mortal cannot
penetrate so dazzling an exterior.
observed Corrigan.
Alicia looked impatiently across the
green. Somehow she was out Of har-
mony with the afternoon-disapp
in-in herself perhaps.
Corrigan turned to her quite sud-
denly. "See here, Alicia, do you like
platonfc friends better than anything