The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-05-20
T
The
TalisYyAdr.

1NE-;T F course, its intrinsic value
Ig @t is very slight" I said, as
Il Thcodora stood holding the
LO ring in her right hand.
Es]l ll9}|i rs that why you are Of
fering it to me?" she de-
manded, glancing up brightly.
Because" I explained, 1T is sup
posed to bring the owner all manner
Of luck"
"Then," cried Theodore, "it is kind
of charm?"
"a talismanw
"What is it supposed to do?"
"Oh, well, the idea used to be that 1t
received influence from the planets"
II wonder which planet?" asked The
odora.
1.-THE stone is green" I answered,
"and green was the color Of Venus, you
know. Anyhow, it is supposed to pro-
tect your house from visitations Of evil
spirits"
Your house." she demonstrated.
1T is the same thing" insisted, and
Theodora's face grew rosy red.
"Oughtn't a talisman to have some
mysterious writing on it?" she asked.
Every occult condition is fulfilled"
I assured her, and she carried the ring
to the window. But after an endeavOr
to read the words which were minutely
engraved on the inner face Of the thin,
gold band, she gave it up with sigh.
Taking the ring from Theodora's hand
held it in a more favorable position.
"'To give and keep" she read, then
turned her head with an inquiring ex-
preston: SIS that right?" she asked.
"Quite right" l answered, and I shiy-
cred as her hair brushed my cheek.
do you feel cold?" she asked, look
ing at the fire.
mot in the least"
81 will ring for Edwards to put some
more coal on" she suggested, going to-
ward the bell.
y "You haven't made out all the words
yet" I insisted, and after momentary
hesitation she returned to my side.
"It is extremely ridiculous" she ex-
claimed, because how can you give a
Thing and yet"
1T must be done in order to bring
put the full virtue Of the charm"
"But if you give it away"
Precisely what I am endeavoring to
dop'
>"Then how can you keep it," Theo-
dora demanded.
Suppose you try to read the remain
ing line" said, but she read it cau-
tiously to herself before repeating it
aloud. I saw her lips moving.
TO give and keep.
Nor lose nor weep"
she read.
1T is supposed" I explained, ito be
a translation of an old French complet,
and You perceive that the last line con-
tains. the moral"
"And in the first an impossible condi-
tionw
II assure you it is perfectly simple"
Einsisted.
+ I'm the Greek kalends," said Theo-
dora, with smile.
Much sooner, hope"
"When?" she asked, turning away
her. face.
IF it is left to me I should say a
month at the latest"
Turning to face me again she held
out the ring at arms length.
Il shall refuse to have anything to
do with it," she cried.
"Why?" asked.
"Oh! 1 detest things I can't under
stand"
You ought to try to have more
faith" urged.
I'm what?' asked Theodore.
in me, of course. promise. If you
take it, the ring shall bring good for
tune"
"I was thinking Of you," she MUIR
INJURED, ''at the moment"
"Then the spell begins to work."
exclaimed. "What better luck could it
bring than to make you think Of me?"
"To me or to you?' she demanded.
ITO both; at present it is neither
yours nor mine"
"It looks rather ancient" she re-
marked.
You see it has been family relic
for generations" 1 explained.
"Then it has always been kept"'
Evidently"
"And consequently it has never been
given away?'
"At regular intervals" insisted.
swell" she faltered. IL don't un.
derstand." But I fancied she did.
"If you study the words carefully"
began, when she interrupted me with q
solemn expression.
Besides" she cried, "even if the con-
dition could be fulfilled"
"It could" I answered.
Even then" she continued, haven't
any Of its owners either lost Or"
''They have never lost the Talisman.' ~
"Ahw said Theodore, 1T must be q
very wonderful thing if it always keeps
away tears"
you mustn't judge by it's present
effect" / urged, and she became sud
denly indignant.
what do you mean?" she demanded
II fancied there were tears in your
eyes"
"Why should there be?'
"Why" I whispered, drawing closer.
IF only the Talisman might do as
you say" she murmured.
""My father gave it to my mother"
explained.