The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-11-03

~ G3 is very slight" l said, as
Theodore stood holding
1871 the ring in her right hand
llIalI HsllI is that why you are of
fering it to me?" she de
manded, glancing up brightly.
Because l explained, ''it is sup.
posed to bring the owner all MINER
of luck"
Then" cried Theodore, sit is kind
of charmr
"a talismanw
"What is it supposed to do?"
20, well. the idea used to be that 1t
received an influence from the plan
cts"
81 wonder which planetY asked
Theodore.
THE stone is green" answered,
~and green was the color of Venus,
you know. Anyhow, it is supposed to
protect your house from visitations
of evil spirits
"Your house." she demonstrated.
at is the same thing" 1 insisted, and
Theodora's face grew rosily red.
"Oughtn't 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-
dedeor to read the words which were
infinitely 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 to more
favorable position.
TO give and keepY" she read, then
turned her head with an inquiring ex-
preston: rs that right?" she asked.
Quite right" I answered, and l
shivered as her hair brushed my cheek.
''Do you feel cold?" she asked, look
ing at the fire.
mot in the least"
Il will ring for, Edwards to put seine
more coal on" She suggested, going
towards the bell.
"You haven't made out all the words
yet" insisted, and after momentary
hesitation, she returned to my side.
1T is extremely ridiculous" she ex-
claimed, because how can you give a
thing and yet"
sit must be done in order to bring
out the full virtue of the charm"
But if you give it away
Precisely what 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
tiously to herself before repeating it
aloud. saw her lips moving.
TO give and keep;
Nor lose nor weep"
she read.
1T is supposed" explained, "to be
a translation of an old French couplet.
and you perceive that the last line
contains the moral
'And the first an impossible condi-
tionv
Il assure you it is perfectly simple"
l insisted.
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. 1 should say
month at the latest"
Turning to face me again, she held
out the ring at arms length.
II shall refuse to have anything to do
with it, she cried.
''Why?" asked.
"Oi | detest things / can't under
stand"
You ought to try to have more
faith urged
I'm what?" asked Theodore.
"In me, of course 1 promise, if you
take it. the ring shall bring good for
tune"
Il was thinking of you" she muir
INJURED, Eat the moment"
'1rhen the spell begins to workP' 1
exclaimed. "What better luck could
1t bring than to make you think of
me?"
ITO me or to your" she demands.
ITO both; at present it is neither
yours nor mine"
ut looks rather ancient" she re-
marked.
''You see, it has been a family relic
for generations" explained.
''Then it has always been keptr"
Evidently
"And consequently it has never been
given awayw
"At regular intervals" insisted.
"Well," she faltered, I'll don't I'M
derstand." But | fancied she did.
IF you study the words carefully"
began, when she interrupted me with
a solemn expression.
Besides" she cried. "even IL the
condition could be fulfilled"
sit could" l answered.
even then" she continued, haven't
any Of its owners either lost Or
"They have never lost the Tails
man.
abr said Theodore, at must be a
very wonderful thing If it always