Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1903-06-02
THE TALlSMAN.

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~ f course. it's intrinsic value is
NJ very slight" l said, as Theodore
stood holding the ring in her
right hand
rs that why you are offering it to
me:" she demanded. CHANGING up
abruptly.
Because" l explained. at is sup
posed to bring the owner all manner
of luck"
Then" cried Theodore. at is a kind
of charm
"a talismanv
what is it supposed to do?"
"Oh, well, the idea used to be that
lit received influence from the plan
cts"
Il wonder which planet?" asked The
odcra.
The stone is green l 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" | insisted.
and Theodora's face grew rosy red
"Oughtn't tallsman 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 endeavor
to read the words which were minute
.ly engraved on the inner face of the
thin gold band, she gave it up with a
sigh. Taking the ring from Theodora's
hand 1 held it in q more favorable po-
sition
ITO give and keep" she read. then
preston: rs that rlghtf" she asked
"Quite right" l answered, and
shiyered as her hair brushed my
cheek
DO you feel cold?" she asked, look
ing at the fire
''Not in the least"
81 will ring for Edwards to put some
more coal on" she suggested. going
toward the bell
You haven't made out all the words
yet" l insisted, and after a momen-
tary hesitation she returned to my
side.
1T is extremely Ridiculous she ex-
claimed. because how can you give a
thing and yet"
at must lie done IN order to bring
out the full virtue Of the charm"
''But if you give 1t away"
Precisely what 1 am endeavoring to
dor
"Then how can you keep it," Theo-
dora demanded.
suppose you try to read the re-
manning line" | said, but she read it
cautiously to herself before repeating
st aloud. l saw her lips moving.
'To give and keep;
Nor lose nor weep"
she read.
ut is supposed" ] explained. ito be
a translation of an old English couplet,
alY. you perceive that the last line con-
tains the moral"
'And the first an impossible condi-
ton"
Il assure you it is perfectly simple"
/ insisted.
I'm the Greek Kalends." said Theo-
dora, with smile,
''Much sooner, 1 hope"
"When?" she asked. turning away
her face
"If 1t is left to me, l 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.
"Whyf" l asked.
'Oh! detest things 1 can't under
stand"
You ought 20 try to have more
faith" l urged.
''In what?" asked Theodore.
"In me. of course. l promise. If you
take it. the ring shall bring good for
tune"
Il was thinking of you" she mur-
INJURED. at the momert.'
Then the spell begins to work. I
exclaimed. what better luck could
1t bring than to make you think of
me?"
ITO me or to you?" she demanded.
ITO both; at present it is neither
yours nor mine"
1T looks rather ancient" she re-
marked.
.'You see It has been a family relic
for generations" l explained.
"Then 1t has always been kept"
Evidently"
"And consequently 1t has never been
given away
AT regular intervals" insisted.
We'll" she faltered. 81 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 If the
condition could be fulfilled"
"It could" answered.
Even them" she continued. haven't
any of its owners either lost or"
'''rhey have never lost the Tails
man"
"Ah"' said Theodera. at must be a
very wonderful thing If it always
keeps away tears"
you mustn't Judge by its present
effect" I urged. and she became sud
denly indignant
What do you meanT" she demand
ed.
Il faneied these were tears in your
eyes
.,,.-,, -,.>,,,3 .,,a-, ,,aSss
"whyg' l whispered drawing closer
'If only the Talisman might do as
You say" she murmured.
any father gave II TO my mother.
i explained.
'sThen he didn't keep It."