Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1903-06-01
THE TALlSMAN.

II j very slight" said, as Theodore
stood holding the ring in her
right hand.
lis that why you are offering it to
mel" she demanded, CHANGING up
abruptly.
"Becausc,' | explained, at is sup
posed to bring the owner all manner
of luck"
''rhcn." cried Theodore, sit is kind
of charm!'
"A talsman!
what is it supposed to do?"
"Oh. well. the idea used to be that
it received influence from the plan
cts"
Il wonder which planet?" asked The
odora.
"The stone is green" l answered.
land green was the color of Venus,
YOU know. Anyhow. it is supposed to
protect your house from vistations of
evil SPIRITS"
Your house" she demonstrated.
1T is the same thing" | insisted
and Theodora's face grew rosy red.
"Oughtnt 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 endeavor
to read the words which were minute
ly engraved on the inner face of the
thin gold band. she gave it up with n
sigh. Taking the ring from Theodore $
hand l held it in a more favorable pO-
sition.
ITO give and keep" she read then
turned her head with an inquiring eX-
preston: rs that right?' she asked
"Quite right" l answered, and
shivered as her hair brushed my
cheek
DO you feel cold?' 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
toward the bell.
You haven't made out all the words
yet | insisted, and after a momcn-
tary hesitation she returned to my
side.
ut is extremely ridiculous" she ex-
claimed, because how can you give Il
thing and yet
1T 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 re-
naming line" | said, but she read it
cautiously to herself before repeating
it aloud. l saw her lips moving
ITO give and keep;
Nor lose nor weep"
she read.
1T is supposed" | explained, "to be
a translation of an old English couplet
and you perceive that the last line con-
tains the moral"
"And the first an impossible condi-
ton"
II assure you it is perfectly simple"
l insisted.
'In the Greek Kalends," said Theo-
dora, with smile.
Much sooner. hope"
"When?" she asked, turning away
her face
IF it is left to me, l should say a
month ut 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?" l asked.
"Oh, detest things can't under
stand"
you ought to try to have more
faith" urged.
"In whatT 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 muir.
INJURED, at the moment"
Then the spell begins to work.
exclaimed what better luck could
me-"
ITO me or to you?" she demanded.
"To 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" | explained.
"Then it has always been kept"
"Evidently."
"And consequently it has never beer
given away
AT regular intervals" l insisted.
"Wel," she faltered. II don't un
derstand" But | fancied she did.
IF you study the words carefully
began, when she interrupted me will
solemn expression.
Besides" she cried. "even If tn,
condition could be fulfilled"
at could" | answered.
Gwen then" she continued "haven'
any of its owners either lost Or
"rhey have never lost the Tails
man."
"Ah." said Theodore, 'it must be ;