The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1903-08-14

I'M ETl II course, ITS intrinsic Ya!ue
~ OGI is very slight" l said, as
Theodore stood holding
I-O- the ring In her right hand.
l,9ll lglI us that why you are Of
fcring It to me| she de-
manded, gancing up brightly
Because" / explained, ut is sup
posed to bring the owner all mstne.
of luck"
Then" cried Theodore, 1T is a kind
of charmw
"a talismanw
"What is it supposed to do?"
20, well, the idea used to be that It
received an influence from the plan
cts"
Il wonder which planet?' asked
Theodore.
"The stone is green" I answered,
land green was the color Of Venus.
you know. Anyhow, it is supposed 10
protect your house from visitat.oas
Of evil spirits"
"Your house" she demonstrated.
1T is the same thing" I Insisted, and
Theodora's face grew rosily red.
"Oughtn't a talisman to have some
mysterious writing on it?' she asked.
Every occult condition is FULFILLED"
] assured her, and she carried the ring
to the window. But after an en-
deavor to read the words which were
minutely engraved on the inner face
of the thin gold band, she gave it up
with a sigh. Taking the ring from
TheodOra's hand, I held it to a more
favorable position
ITO give and keep" she read, then
turned her head with an inQuiring ex-
preston: rs that right?' she asked.
quite right" I answered. and I
shiyered as her hair brushed my cheek.
DO you feel co,d?" she asked, look
ing at the fire.
Not in the least"
Il will ring for Edwards to put some
more coal on" she suggested, going
towards the bell.
you haven't made out all the words
vel" insisted, and after 4 mOmentary
hesitation, she returned to my side
1T is extremely ridiculous" she ez-
claimed, because how can you give a
thing and yet"
1T must be done in order to bring
out the full virtue of the charm"
Put If you give it away"
Precisely what I am endeavoring
to dor'
Then how can you keep it?" Theo-
dora demanded.
Suppose you try to read the remain
ing line" / said. but she read it eau
tnusly to herself before repeating it
aloud. saw her lips moving.
ITO give and keep;
Nor lose nor weep"
she read.
1T is supposed" I explained, ITO be
translation Of an old French couplet,
and you perceive that the last line
contains the moral"
And the first an impossible condi-
TOM
81 assure you it is perfectly simple, -
| insisted
I'm the Greek Kalends," said Theo-
dora, with a smile
Much sooner, I hope"
When" she asked, turning away
her face.
"If it is left to me, I should say q
month at the latest"
Turning to face re again, she held
out the ring at arms length.
Il shall refuse to have anything to Dc
with il" she cried.
why" I asked.
90! I detest things I can't under
stand"
You ought to Try to have moro
faith" I urged.
'In what:" asked Thecdo-l.
On nc. Of course. I promise, IL yo}
take it, the ring shall bring coed for
tune"
u was thinking Of YOU" size muir
INJURED, "at the moment"
'gTlen the spell begins to work.
exclaimed. what better luck coul,
it bring than to make you think o
me-"
"To me or to youY she demands.
"To both; at present it is ncitho
yours nor mine"
It looks rather ancient" she re
marked.
You see, It has been a family rel
for generations" I explained
"Then it has always been keptw
Evidently"
'And consequently it has never beer
.--s.----