The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1905-02-18
WITH OPEN EYES
BY FELICIA BLAKE

copyrighted by Daily Story Pub. CO..
| watched him last night. The girl
was beautiful, his glance careSsed her
shoulders, and through the soft draper
les. traced the slim lines of her figure
With his eyes he kissed her hair. her
ears her lips. He leaned nearer and held
her gaze by the force of hs. own; then
slow, sarcastic, satisfied smile curved
his mouth his lips dropped little, his
look concentrated. He is not II hand
some man. but women who respond to
that gaze think he is.
| saw him with another woman: she
was round and labyiSh, but her eyes
were old-old The poise of his head was
Il clreSS.
lie came to me: and just when he
thought ! was melting | laughed-a
clear cold. biting laugh. His lips be-
came Il straight, hard line. and laugh
ed again.
could not love that man without hat
ing him.
He was there last night; he is always
wherc-whcrc there are women.
How that dark girl loves. him, She
without appearing to watch.
The other afternoon at her cousin
tea the only sign of life she displayed
was when they talked of him. Last
night she glowed with life; he had been
unusually kind. He had looked as if he
loved her; he had made her feel that she
understood him. When he left his music
in her care she guarded it as Il collie
vurl IN Il c.
lost wgs she in her false security that
she did not notice when he talked atten-
lively to the blonde.
Without doubt the blonde was pleased;
she always appears to respond to him.
He did not speak to me. He looked
for one long minute while his rich voice
sang some love song. To have given
that look to the dark girl would have
been balm for past hurts annd solace for
future ones.
| wonder if there is anything about
well-kept flowers, rustic seats and the
intermingled light of japanese lanterns
annd the moon that makes men more
foolish than usual.
Last night | wished to be alone | had
rid myself of Philip and had found a
secluded corner in the garden. After
but Il few moments quiet there stood
Tom; more persistent, more determined
than ever. What accusations he made!
He CONSTITUTES every act of politeneSs into
one of encouragement. | have not been
more than polite to Philip.
After the first surprise that brought
me to my feet l remained perfectly
puiet while Tom worked himself into a
frenzy; his voice, although low, develop
ing more carrying power every minute.
The climax came when he seized my
hand with force enough to make me
vince and accused me Of loving, of all
men, Philip.
MY name may be left out of this, if
you please" What a calm voice; yet
how much power almost iendish power,
one felt through the repressed tone. |
had heard his footsteps, but nothing
could have stopped Tom. | shall never
forgive him for pacinng me in the most
embarrassing situation of my life.
After Tom had gone the incident was
referred to. And the lights, or some
thing, had changed Philip If | had
never seen him befOre-but | had
When he looked love into my eyes |
saw the fair woman; when with tender
solcitude he wrapped the handkerchief
around my scratched hand | saw the
hayward lace on Il woman'S neck; when
his whole manner and every tone was u
careSs saw dark hair and dark. ador-
ing eyes. There was no sarcastic smile;
he radiated strength. magnetism. pWtec-
ton and truth.
Had the flowers and light gone to my