The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-10-02
Their
SUMNER
ENGAGEMENT
By Herbert McB. Johnston.

''WiIl you make me a promise?"
questioned Phyllis.
To"
Not to ask any ether girl either"
finished Phyllis.
I don't see what difference il would
make" l commented.
Because if you WILL said Phyllis.
iii wait until I'm ready or on the
shelf and then come around and ask
you. Only I'd like to be sure you
were disengaged."
1 guess 1 must have looked bit
blank, because Phyllis burst out laugh
ing.
How Ions will it be?" I asked.
Il really can't say" laughed Phyllis.
IF 1 decide to wait until I'm ready
for the shelf, / flatter myself 1t will
be some time yet"
so do t. 1 said, sadly.
We'll" asked Phyllis with some
asperity,- you don't hope for any
thing else, do you?"
But the thought Of 1t seemed a long
way ahead
IF were sure" began
IF give you my word,~ said
Phyllis.
phyllis" I said soberIy, III you
said the word, I'd wait till the day OF
doom for you, dear. But you know,
little girl, don't want to. want you
now"
Phyllis eyes had lost that bard
glow. There was only the dull. soft
fire Of FURNISHED copper now. I ought
to have taken her in my arms and
kissed her right there. But I didn't
know enough. / was always noted,
for doing such stupid things. Phyllis
has told me so since
do you really. Jack?" said 'shs
softly
Il really do. Phyllis. Without you
I'm like that soul which the poet tells
about That went into the storm and
blackness and lost itself between the
earth and heaven.
Phyllis sat a little closer to me. It's
a good dodge, is that poetry business
I've always felt that I owed good
deal to some of those poet Johnnies-
THAT was awfully dear OF you,
Jack" she whispered
I felt a goodish bit like a cad then 1t
seemed so like taking an unfair advan-+
taee. Yet il wasn't that didn't mean
il for I did. every word Of it.
Phyllis 1 half whispered, shall I.
break my word! =,
Phyllis never said a word, but just .
crept a little closer 1 dared and put
nv arm around her.
Now, it's always been my contention
that when girl says stop in whis-
per that she means the exact opposite.
.'Stop!" whispered Phyllis.
That was when / did it. Her head
was on my shoulder, but her face
somehow got twisted up and l. kissed
her full on the lips. Phyllis lips are.
warm and soft
"Oh. jack" she whispered
Then 1 kissed her again But only
kissed her twice. An event is but mo-
mentary: let it last longer and 1T sinks
to the level OF a mere incident.
"And it's my fanny you like, Is IT,,
Phyllis?" / asked her.
Phyllis nodded her head She was
too close 10 see her do it, but could
feel it on my shoulder.
Fred or Charlie?' I asked again.
Il guess II think er their
brother"
After that forgot all that rot about
an event being but momentary. Any
how, what's the odds if il is2 People
don't go through life looking for events
all the time. Commonplace things are d.
much nicer.
And you're going to be engaged to
me now for all the timer" 1 questioned
when got my breath.
NO" said Phyllis, shaking her head
Please, dearest" / said: II want YOU
$3.50 much. Please say you will"
But Phyllis shook her head.
NO" said she with a happy little
laugh. it'll have to stop when you
marry me-"