The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1909-05-15

purely platonic friendship. I've had
always broke down
THE keeping of platonic compact"
said |, would be novel theme, don't
you Think"
Would it be interesting enough?''
she asked doubtfuly.
There! What stronger defence
could l have? l proposed to leave out
the love making, and you say that the
interest would be gone"
She drummed upon the table with
her fingers.
Surely there is some other theme?"
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 up
on it.
When shall communicate the re-
suit of my deliberations?' l asked in
the hall. Tomorrow?
I'm going to Vereker's.'
"And Wednesday I'm due at a smok-
er. Thursday"
IF. you like"
Thursday, then. Goodnight, Mary"
1t is in the compact that l am not
to call her Mary, but 1 do Sometimes
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 pro-
file. l suddenly bent over her, and"
How dare you." she cried holly.
Il couldn't help it. Mary; you looked
so tempting"
But she ran upstairs, her face scar
let.
Il 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 was
not out; but she received me coolly
and kept the table between us.
Look here, Mary" began.
Miss Montague, if you pleased"
Il 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"
I'm not going to pander to other
peoples stupidity" said Indignantly;
land l don't consider that friendship
should have to be weighed and meas
ured in exact words" had prepared
this remark beforehand.
Mo-; perhaps not" knew It
would score. still, there are bounds
I to friendship" She shut her mouth de-
cisively
IF you mean last Tuesday"
Il don't want to talk about 1t" she
interrupted. Have you considered
about the stories?"
Eyes: have reasoned out my po-
sition more carefully-Mary."
She frowned, but passed the famil'
iarity.
"And your conclusion?"
as in verse"
ooh, how nice!" Women always like
fellow to run 10 verse. suppose
1t is because he is sure to give himself
away! Let me see it."
'tOn condition that you read 1t
aloud She looked objections. Il
want to hear If have got the swing"
She detained softly. think
said that she had a pretty voice.
TO MARY.
I made me tale of the tempest at st.
Full Of thunder and lightning above.
And the terroqs that be when the
storm winds are free
But the end Of the story was love!
I sang me song of raid in the glen.
With Tilt of the pipers who played,
Strike again, strike again, and die
fighting like men!
And the struggle was over maid!
I planned me a play of monarch OF
fame.
And his courtiers in silken attire,
And his statesmen, who came like
moth to the flame
For pair Of bright eyes were the
fire!
paeaned the praise of an hero so calm
And SO strong in the tumult to stand,
When found me the charm that had
strengthened his arm
It was only the touch Of hand!
And - r. NV heart for a moment be