Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1886-04-03
"That's a good boz" abe said.

Kissing among the young people was in
PASSPORT a regular business. At their par
ties. all the plays had kissing as their grand
aim and end. Indeed, the play seemed
merely as a pretence for the kissing. I had
never looked with much favor upon these
indiscriminate osculatory melees, and when
forced by circumstances, I had taken part in
them, it was always with a feeling of indif-
~ference-almost disgust Still, I supposed
that 1t was the thing to do, since it was q
part of the life around me. I had noticed
that Blanche Seton never participated In
these "plays." Blanche was not a kissable
girl.
l shall not attempt by any Of the numerous
hackieyed phrases to describe my sensations
at that moment. They would go astray of
.~unlstances, the withdrawal from the imnle-
liate range Of Eastport's petty g~ossipping,
nleddlesome sphere, seemed to place me in
another world, whose standard of life, action,
motive and impulse were entirely different
rom this. In that kiss I seemed to feel
Blanche's purity of soul and depth of
.a%ffection-a nature luxuriant in every
department. Of being, capable Of a tenn.
~pestuous abandonment, yet capable also of
perfect control at any moment Of ecstacy.
!. Externally it was but the pressure Of a rich
pair of lips, but If there be within us other
and finer senses than our material ones,
these seemed in that momentary contact to
absorb and retain q portion of the intel
ectual and spiritual richness and nobility
II that girls being. Nor did her act make
me bold or presuming. On the contrary it
seemed to bring me q realization of respect
Almost amounting to reverence for Blanche
Seton, which l had never felt before. 1t
eened to me as an inspiration to become
nore manly, more courageous, more ensl-
5 sEs to ret til iES y Sss %sny e : ye. ;re sisse! h hss
.aress, 100, had in it something Of mother
hood, s,mething l longed for, but found not
at home, something which every man needs
as neutrality-suspicious. against degrade
ton.
Perhaps you think I'm very boldl" said
she.
II think l understand you" I replied.
II believe you do. Otherwise, / could not
do as l have done. You must feel yourself
very much c~omplimented, too" she added, in
lighter tone, ''for you.are the first Of your
sex l ever kissed in my life"
Here l wanted much to say something very
polite aud gallant. But all. the words coming
into my mind for such expression seemed t.
SAVIOR so much of the mawkish novel that
felt it a proclamation. I said, quite without
generalization: II thank you" On the whole
think ! said about the best thing I could.
My tongue was not 80 tied afterward
Hand in hand we walked to and fro on
level, grassy space lying along the edge d
the bluff overlooking the Cove's waters. VI
talked-well, Of things belonging to our owl
world-as If we were navigating together
rivers, creeks and inlets, barred to the ms
jority. know now she led the conversation
on these subjects to divert my attention AMI
ease my mind of the strain to which it hat
been recently subjected.
The village clock struck two. "These ar
unseemly hours for Eastport," said Blanche
w must go home"
We walked again to the h%alf-opened gate
and again parted, not without another kiss
this one mutual.
Between us passed neither pledge nor bond
spoken or inferred. We parted as il but 70
q day. Blanchs's last words were, "Remem
Der, now, your prOmise!"