The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1893-01-04
A PAIR OF BRIGHT EYES.

IL Till vi UIIIUII LIIOI
June Morelle was plain woman if
you saw her when her eyes were shut,
but there was little danger of her be-
ing pronounced such when they were
open. Her face attracted attention,
but where the spell lay, not three of
her admirers could tell. Some thought
it was in her voice, others her man
ner, but it was rare that one men
toned her eyes. But there the fas-
cination was wholly. Such wonder
full eyes. Her whole soulspoke through
them.
She was one that men raved over,
and she drew lovers to her feet as
surely as the magnet draws the needle,
but her cool indifference was enough
to craze them.
1t is not strange that Elton st. Elton
followed the crowd when their steps
led to such an altar, but he received
no more encouragement than the 9TH
ers. Now and then she gave him one
of those rare smiles that made his
pulses leap. When her eyes were
looking into his and the spell of her
presence was on him the slightest
smile satisfied him. He was content
for the moment, and he would have
sworn that she loved him; but in the
morning he awoke quite disenchanted,
and, with his daylight eyes, it was
easy to see how much he had to hope
for.
But Elton st. Elton was not man
to be easily baffied. Strong-willed,
and accustomed to ruling, he could i'll
brook defeat at a woman's hands; and
if for only his pride's sake, he would
have striven hard to conquer; but now
something more was at stake-he
loved her.
But he knew she did not love him
yet. Her eyes never grew brighter at
his coming; her cheeks never flushed
at his earnest words; she was cool,
calm, self-possessed always. He could
not tell, either, whether she was aware
of his devotion or not. She was so ac-
customed to receiving alteration that
she took it naturally, as one takes the
air they breathe, without thinking of
compensation.
If he had been sure that she had
never loved, he would have thought
his chances as good as others, but his
own soul-if that was any criterion
seemed to have reached could only be
attained through much suffering and
storm. But if there was somewhere
in the world form sacred to this
woman's heart, if there was a being on
whom she looked with reverence and
love, then Elton st. Elton meant to
discover the fact.
He was thinking of all these things,
as he rode through the long avenue of
oaks leading to the Morelle estate, and
as he sprang from his horse at the
door he said, half aloud:
81 could kill the man who should
dare to come between uS!"
In truth it might be dangerous busi-
ness for rival to stand upon the field
beside him, for being strong in his
love, he might also be strong and
deadly in his hate.
Upon the steps-as if the fates were
furthering his wishes for knowledge
of the future!-he met man in. uni
form, a stranger who had just come
out of the door, and he thought he saw
June's hand through the window wav-
ing an adieu, as they passed each
other. His face darkened involunta-
rily, but as June was cordial and smil-
ing as ever, he soon forgot his suspi-
cions and anger.
She was in one of her most brilliant
moods, and St. Elton thought he had
never seen such light in her eyes as
now. If he had only dared believe
that his presence had inspired it!
A new picture upon the wall attract
ed his attention. He crossed to look
at it, June also rising and going for
ward.
"a battle piece. St. Elton said; then
looking at it closer, "the gentleman l
passed in the foreground, is it not?"
ayes. Col Brett" June answered.
at must be a correct likeness, since
you recognize it so quickly"
"He is a relative of yours? / think
I see a slight resemblance, St. Elton
added.
"His father acted as my guardian
while my mother was in Europe, so
we were together for several years"
st. Elton looked at her quickly. Was
the secret out at last? Her face was
quiet as usual. No tales from that.
She could undoubtedly keep her own
counsel, and meant to.
81 suppose he is hero, of course.
Every man who has been in the army
is supposed to be" ST. Elton said.
"He is very brave man," June an.
swered, passing to another painting
and changing the subject by calling
st. Elton's attention to the peculiar
richness of the sunlight that fioodediit.
St. Elton cast his eyes upon it, but
he could not have told whether he had
been looking at sunlight or moonlight
a second afterward. He was thinking
of something else.
"You are not WELL" June said al
length, noticing his abstraction.
mo. I was born under evil stars
suppose"
riny," June answered, going to the
piano.
"Every man does not"
81 said that they could, not that they
did,"
"Be careful of your words. Nigh
believe them, if you were in jest" HI
turned over the music as he spoke, ane
selected a piece for her to sing.
81 was not in jest, but am woman
and woman's words are of little &C
count with you men,"
"But sometimes they make u
wretched."
He was looking at her intently. Sh
shrank away from him little, and be
gan to play, saying under the music
"If they do it is not our fault.
In turning the music their finger
touched for an instant.
June snatched her hand away, AM
struck the piano with hasty, violen
touch, but St. Elton could not fail t
see the crimson which sprang into he
checks. 1t was the first time she ha'
ever in the slightest degree actuall,.
acknowledged his power, and st. Eltol
would have been elated had it no
been for this newcomer upon the stage
AS it was, he went away moody an,
| a..e.,.-- IL; III lima the Stra n nar. hi himSel