The Washington herald., 1911-06-23
is PLATONIC LOVE
A POSSIBLE THING
Between Men and Women
Thrown Together9
By ELLA WHEELER WILCOX.

| Over and over again the old subject
Of platonic love rises for discussion.
Is not honest, affectionate friendship
between men and women possible? Friend
ship which could never become romantic
or sentimental, or be marred by jealousy
Of other friendships?
It would seem as If almost every social
circle in America offered numerous sx-
| amples of such friendships.
Foreigners are amazed by the condI-
tions Of good-fellowship existing at sea-
shore and mountain resorts between
young men and women OF marriagsable
age who yet seem to associate with no
thought OF sentiment.
Among the married people, in hundreds
OF suburban places and in town and
country as well, married men regard
women, their neighbors' wives, as good
fellows" enjoying their association in
golf, tennis, bridge, or the dance much
as they would enjoy that Of other men
or Of their own family kin.
All these undisputed conditions prevail
ing in America would seem to prove that,
here at least, platonic friendship IL
possible fact.
How to Tell P1afonic Love.
Nevertheless, it is not safe to form .
fixed opinion upon so complicated g sub
ject as sex relations without a closer
analysis Of social conditions than can be
gained by superficial observation.
AL men and women who believe they
are living in the nght Of a purely pla-
tonic friendship can decide the question
for themselves II they are willing to be
frank with their own hearts, thing
which few human beings are ready to do.
When a woman Is confident that her
feeling for a man friend Is absolutely
platonic, let her ask herself II she is will
ing that he should entertain the same
friendship for other women, to give them
as much Of his time and attention as he
gives her. If she cannot quickly and
unhesitatIngly reply to her heart in the
affirmative, II she Is conscious Of feel
ing any sense OF ownership when she
thinks of his friendship, then she does not
come up to platonic requirements.
Is she particularly happy when she 10
quite alone with him? Does the intru-
sion of third party, even though It be
her own or his own nearest friend, prove
in some degree jarrtng? Does she watch
for his coming. and feel neglected If he
does not appear?
Then il is not piatonic affection. but
something very close TO a romantic af-
lection, or selfish love, which has come
into her heart
A Case in Point.
There was a woman who believed she
gave a man a purely platonio affection
They were great mental comrades and
enjoyed the same sports. But the woman
was betrothed, and her hance finally grew
Jealous.
You foolish, jealous boy the girl
said. Why, never give that man more
than the passing thought Of good-fel@
Iowship. He is not In any degree neces<
sary to my happiness"
Yet when she tried to let a day go by
without seeing her platonic friend she
found herself restless, discontented and
unable to enjoy her usual pleasures and
occupations. And the fance, who pos
sessed the keen intuitions and the psychic
vision of love, observing her state OF
mind, said to her: You have never fully
loved me or you could not have found
another man so necessary to your life.
will go and leave you to your platonio
friend"
And then the woman suddenly awah-
ened to the knowledge that It was love
she had entertained in her heart