Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1854-04-20
MIS- IL l. A n E 0 u S.
From the Ladies' National Magazine.
THE PROMISED KISS.
BY A. L. OTIS.

THE PROMISED KISS.
BY A. L.. OTIS.
Livingston Amory, young artist in
search Of the beautiful, found himself one
warm afternoon in July, on Highbee's
beach, which is about an hours ride from
the fashionable ba.hng-pace at Cape May.
and is famous for its brillisnt pebbles of all
colors, particularly for one, which is called
the Cape May diamond.
As he recllned laziIy on the sand en- oy-
ing The breeze from The bay, and The sailing
Of the ish-hawks, bis thoughts were inter-
rupted by the eager tone of some children s
voices who alighed from a Jersey wagon.
and commenced an active search for dia-
monds. Among them be perceived lule
girl, whom he knew, and who always at
,racied the artists eye by her grace, whe-
ther on the green, or 81 the hops, or in the
rough waves playing like baby mermaid
Her name was Leonora Revllo. She was
bithe lit,le maiden Of nine years, with
gloriously large, dark eyes, and pretty rosy
lips.
The children passed Amorv without ob-
serving him, so eager were they in their
search. and they were soon out Of sight
but hardly an hour elapsed before he heard
their ex"l'ing voices, as they approached,
ailer having met with signal good fortunes.
Gaining for the frs, time some idea of The
value of the spoil, lie glanced careessly a.
mong the pebbles al his feet, and saw al
most Immediately one of The largest dia-
monds ever found there. Upon examina-
tion i, proved TO be perfectly free from flaws,
and Of delicate pipkish tnge, that, combin-
ed with its pretty, egg-like shape, made il
really beautiful. While he was still ad-
miring it, he heard one of the children
say:
"Fa'her will call you Dull Eyes, to-day.
Leonors, and me Brigh, Eyes, for ! have
found three, aud you no, one.''
''And seven," "and five" sand (our,'
cried numerous voices.
ooh, Leonora, for shame! You never
find The pretty things. You are always
looking afer fsh-hawks, or sand pups, or
sails, and heaven't found one diamond, for
the ring father promised you"
Leonora's face expressed shame and vex-
stion sufficient for disappointed California
gold hunter. She begun eagerly looking
round her, "a very pretty picture ofimpatience
and disappointed ambition.
Amory called the children 10 him and
showed them his diamond, asking to whom
he should give it, suPposing the children
would, with one voice, suggest the contra
~, there were shrill cries of "me," "give
j. to me-" mo, no, to me J" Leonora be-
ing older, and somewhat more bashful than
the other children, restrained her impa-
tience 10 become owner of the stone, and
once family said
81 should like it.''
"Would you like TO have i,?'' ] asked
"Oh, yes, very much, indeed"
swell, will you give me a kiss for il :"
"Oh, yes, great many Of them"
''Stop," said he. gravely, 81 only ask for
one, bu. you must promise me that"
eyes," and she held out her hand for the
stone, her eyes dancing with joy.
sand will you pay me when ! demand
payment"
g.! will pay you now"
"No, no, thank you; would rather
have the pleasure of anticipation. Will
you not promise to pay me tha, kiss, when
] shall demand it, upon condition OF recev-
ing this stone now -
Cob, yes, promise,' and though those
cherry lips, pousing with the long suspense,
looked sufficiently tempting, Amory gave
her the diamond, without taking its price.
and saw her run of in triumph, surrounded
byiher companions.
The romantic idea which suggested this
bargain served as food for Amory's imagi-
nation, till he had painted a little sketch
called "The Promised Kiss" representing
ayouth of about his own years, eighteen
kneeling to receive touch on the forehead
from rather Madonna-like figure, having
prepos,erously large eyes, who ben. grace.
fully over him. After this picture, which
he soon learned to think unbearable, wa:
destroyed, all remembrance Of the promis'
ed kiss faded from his mind, till i! was re.
called many years afterward.
The interim was spent by him in Europe
where the young expefimen,er in colors
became handsome man, of whose artistic
skill fame began to whisper wonderful
stories.