The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-02-07
WIlH OPEN EYES.
BY FELICA BLAKE.


 Copyright, 1905. Daily Story Pub. Col
 I watched him last night The girl was beautiful; his glance oaressed her shoulders, and, through the soft drape- ries, 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 his own; then a slow, sarcastic, satisfied smile curved his mouth; his lips dropped a little. his look concentrated. He Is not a handsome man, but women who re- spond to that gaze think he is. saw him with another woman; she were old-old. The poise of his head was a caress.
 He came to me; and just when he thought I was melting. I laughed--a clear, cold. biting laugh. His lips be- came a straight, hard line, and laughed again.
 could not love that man withou, hating him.
 He was there last night: he is always everywhere--where ther are women. How that dark girl loves him! She places herself where she can watch him without appearing to watch. The other afternoon at her cousins tea the only sign of life she displayed
 
 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 1t as a collie guards his masters coat, or life. So lost was she in her false security that she did not notice when he talked attentively 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 and so- lace for future ones.
 I wonder if there Is anything about weIl-kept flowers. rustic seats, and the intermingled light of Japanese lanterns and the moon. that makes men more foolish than uusual.
 Last night I wished to be alone. I had rid myself of Philip. and had found a secluded corner in the garden. After but a few moments quiet, there stood Tom; more persistent, more de- termined than ever. What accusations he made! He construes every act of politeness into one of encouragement. A0 wv hNh OCOAh hAOAS hhdh pOAtt0 bO Philip.
 After the first surprise that brought me to my feet, I remained perfectly quiet while Tom worked himself into frenzy; his voice. although low, de- veloping 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 fiendlsh pow errone felt through the repressed tone. had heard his footsteps but nothing could have stopped Tom. shall never forgive him for placing 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 I had never seen him before--but had.
 When he looked love into my eyes I saw the fair woman; when with tender solicitude he wrapped the handker- chief around my scratched hand, I saw the wayward lace on a woman's neck; when his whole manner and every tone was caress. I saw dark hair and dark adoring eyes. There was no sarcastic smile; he Tadiated strength, magnetism. protection and truth.