Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-08-28
CHAPTER XIII.
THE FIRST KISS.

Il1E Flh0l
why didn't you ask him yesterday
cried Sallie. as she entered the parlor the
next morning.
Darling, l was scared out of my wits.
We got crossways on some questions we
were discussing, and he started at me
once. and every time l tried TO screw
up my courage TO speak, a lump got In
my throat and gave 1t up. thought I'd
wait 4 day or two until he should be In
better humor."
Hes gone away today she said with
Disappointment.
I'm glad Of It, I'll write him a letter"
IF you had asked him yesterday it
would have been all right. lie told me so
when he left this morning, with very
tender tremor in mis- voice"
But it will be all right, sweetheart
when 1 write"
II wanted my ring" she whispered.
"You shall have it," he said, as he
seized her hand and led her to a seat.
Have you got IL with your" she asked
with excitement. Let me see 1t quick"
He drew the little box from his pocket
withdrew the ring, concealing it in his
hand. slipped II on her finger and kissed
IL. She threw her hand up into the light
to see IT,
"Oh! II IS glorious! It's the big green dia-
mond Hiddenite 1 saw at the exposition!
1t is the most beautiful stone / ever saw
and the only one CT its kind in size and
color in the world. Prof. Hidden told me
so. / tried to set Papa to buy it for me.
But he laughed at ME, and said II was
childish extravaganza. Charlie, dear, how
could you get it?''
That's a little secret. But there are to
be no secrets between us any more. had
little heard saved from my mothers es-
tate for the greatest need Of my life
confess my extravaganza"
"You are q 11atchless lover I'm the
proudest and happiest girl ll.at broatnes.
Nothing is too good for you, 1 wish
could make a greater sacrifice"
WYATT, Till show IL to Mama" and she
flew to her mothers room. She returned
Immediately, looking at tie ring and kiss
ing IL.
Couldn't show It to her. she had com
pany," she said. 'Allan is talking to her."
Lets get out OF the house. dear. hate
that man like a rattlesnake."
Don't be silly. 1 never cared a snap for
him"
Il know you didn't, but there is a poi
sor about him that taints the air for me.
Get your horse and let's go to our place
at the old MILL
They soon reached the spot, and with Il
laugh she sprang upon the rock and took
her seat against the tree.
Now, dear. hun.or this whtm OF mine.
I've grown superstitious since you've
made me happy. have a presentiment OF
evil because that man was in the house.
am going TO take the ring off and put 1t
on your hand again out here where only
the eyes OF our birds will see, and the
river we love viii hear"
THAT will be nicer. 1 somehow feel that
my life is built on this dear old rock" she
answered soberly.
He took the ring of her finger. dipped
II in the white foam of the river, kissed
it, and placed It on her hand.
Now the spell is broken, isn't it?'' she
cried holding ii out In the sunlight mo-
ment to catch the flash of Its green dia-
mond depth.
i've another token for you. This. you
will not even show TO your mother or IA
ther." She bent low over tiny package
he unfolded
'"This is the Arst medal I won at col
lege." he continued-'the first victory Of
my life. II was the force that determined
my character. 1t gave me an infiexible
will. 1 worked at a tremendous disadvan-
tage Others were two years ahead of me
in study for the contest. locked myseII
up in my room day and night for ten
months. and took just enough food and
sleep for strength to work. / worked IL
hours n day, except Sunday, for ten
months without an hour of play 1 won
IT brilliantly. Every line cut on its gold
surface stands for a thousand aches of
my body. Every little pearl set in 1t, grew
in q pain of that struggle Which set its
seal on my Utmost life. I came out of
those ten months a man. I have never
known the whins of a boy since"
"And you engraved something on the
back to mel"
Eyes, can't you read it?"
my eyes are DIM" she whispered.
cit is this-In the hand of manhood's
ten5erest love bring to thee my boy
hoods brightest dream / was a man
when 1 woke, but I have never lived till
you taught me. Keep this as. a pledge of
eternal love. It's the only little trinket
ever possessed The world will see our
ring. Don't let them see this. It is the
seal of your sovereignty of my soul in
life, in death, and beyond. VIII you make
me this eternal pledge?"
Unto the uttermost!" she murmured.
Unto the uttermost!' he solemnly ech-
oed
And now, what can I say or do for
you when you show me in this spirit of
prodigal sacrifice how dear I am in your
eyes?"
Those words from your lips are
enough" he declared.
''I'll give you more. I'm going TO give
you just a little bit of myself. haven't
asked Mama. but we are engaged now
come closer"
She placed her beautiful arms around
his neck and pressed her lips upon his in
the first raptuous kiss Of love.
Mono more. II is enough" she pro-
tested