The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-09-20
Chapter 10
UnwelcOme Embrace

OnwelcOme Embrace
Il DON'T think you understand" "
she retorted. There is no rea-
son why you should feel that am
either freezing or melting. I
thought made it quite clear some
time ago that you were not to i'm
ply any intimacy between U.S."
Philip smiled and lit cigarette
slowly.
"cecily, my dear child, you must
be fair. Have / implied any init
macy?"
cecily shook her head. He
hadn't.
But I am strangely tempted"
he went on. I'm only human, after
all. and you've turned out to be
very attractive girl. Do | imagine
II, or is there something different
about you these last few weeks?"
Cecily didn't answer but the
warm blood rushed to her cheeks
with the thought that came to her.
i don't know what you mean,"
she said in an embarrassed tone.
I'm not sure ! do myself. But
there has been a change in you.
You're softer =. warmer. There's
glow about you as though your
thoughts made you happy"
Guilt. a blend of sudden knowl-
edge and sudden embarrassment
EMBODIED her. She had felt the
strange alchemy in herself. She
had felt a softness. warmth that
came from her heart. She had re-
sponded to all appeals to her sem
ses within these last few weeks as
she had never responded before.
There was a greater depth to
everything. Music fell more poig-
nantly on her ears. Waking and
sleeping were twin adventures
one call 10 something that was
happening. the other to liven her
memories of what had happened.
She had known it within herself.
had heard the new note of spon-
tanelty in her laughter. but she
didn't know that anyone else had
seen IL Or guessed its reason.
SIS il true?" Philip asked softly.
Because it l1as true and because
she was without guile. she low.
cred her eyes. not knowing that
her confusion was an admission.
Philip rearhed over gently and
took one of her hands. 81 suppose
would be presuming to think that
] might have anything to do with
it7"
She stared at him, wide-cyed.
This was presumption
You're shy, aren't your"
Not really" she said dryly.
Il don't mean TO rush YOU" he
continued. only I've discovered
that ! well. I'm crazy about
you. Cecily."
Cecily wanted to get up, to es-
cape from the room. But she was
locked in her chair. You couldn't
push q mans knees out OF your
way and still accomplish a grace
ful exit.
Very quietly she said. please,
Philip. don't say things like that or
shall be forced TO tell Aunt Olivia
the truth"
THE TRUTH" he explained soft
ly- Then he bent toward her, COM
handing her eyes. why haven't
you done il before. Cecily?"
I'm not quite sure" she an
EWered honestly. Since you've
asked for the truth. I'll tell it to
you do think if has been un.
speakable of you 10 have accepted
our hospitality for such a long
time under such circumstances.
should feel no end embarrassed
II ! were you. When ! agreed to
the bargain. | thought il would be
for only matter of a few DAYS.
] gave you the benefit of any
doubts | had about your acting
like gentleman"
Theatrical
LIS face fell into lines of hurt
H surprise Didn't you think
was gentleman"
"No." she said promptly. 1.-THE
gentlemen have known wouldn't
take advantage of girl the way
you did"
.But il was such a temptation
and YOU did bring it on, yourselfT'
Il know ! did. That. however,
doesn't excuse you or explain
your ungentlemanly behavior
since"
He squashed his cigarette. say
Ing nothing.
cecily felt vaguely uncomfor-
table. Philip, ] don't mean to be
unfair. ] don't mean that your be-
havior isn't =. 4. well. isn't quite all
right. only mean ;. well, about
the long time that you've been
staying on"
Therei She had given him his
chance 20 say that he was leaving.
There's one little point, Cecily,
that you haven't cleared up: why
haven't you told your aunt the
TRUTH"
ceciiy swallowed, cleared her
throat Because, they seem to like
you so much. And you haze been
kind TO Aunt Olivia. It wasn't be-
cause Of you, but because Of her
that have kept silent"
Philip got up and walked to-
ward the window with his back to
her. His gesture, the very line of
his pose. was theatrical but it had
the effect Of making Ceciiy wish
that she hadn't been so outSpoken.
She hadn't meant to hurt him.
When he turned back again and
returned 10 his chair opposite her.
she saw that there was a lock of