Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1922-08-19

The Crisis
! By Tdah
| McGlone Gibson

"Why is it Mrs. Wilmington, con
tinued Sheila, that SO much has
been written about that adolescent
interest called first lovef"
There are so many things that
youth is apt to mistake for love-"
1 smiled to myself for Sheila, even
with her tear-stained face, was her
self, the picture of youth.
What does youth mistake for
love, Sheilai" queried.
"Oh, there rs the pleasant flat
tering Of ones vanity when a hand
some boy tells you that the mere
sight of you is better than any med
icine. There is that heart flutter
when eyes meet eyes IN unspoken
passion-when hands clasp in light
cares-when you wonder if you
would be called daring if you should
run your fingers through a shock of
wavy hair-when your lips curl in
longing to press other lips which
are mutely asking for the touch of
yours"
looked at Sheila surprised. She
seemed so young to analyze emotion
al motives. Perhaps / gave a little
sound Of amazement for she glanc-
ed up and seeing my expression,
drew away from me little.
You do not think l am immod-
est, dear Mrs. Wilmington, to open
my very heart to you in this way.
l must convince you that 1 was
honestly mistaken in my love for
Walter so you will quite understand
what l am leading up to.
Everything tended toward a
romantic attachment, Walter, like
good child, always grateful, al
ways kindly, always afraid of maxi
ing me trouble and l cared for him
devo.edly and watched the prog
ress OF his illness with bated breath.
Did you ever sit in the long
hours of the night and watch the
unconscious face of one you love
grow steadily whittier and colder
"Did you ever listen to hear
breath come shorter each times
Did you ever see that ominous
picking Of the coverlets' that
traditionally presages deathl
Did you ever wish more than
ANYTHING else in the world to close
the partly open unseeing eyes that
seemed to be imploring you to bring
back sight and consciousness to
them4
''Do you know how pale lips can
become as they draw themselves
over half disclosed teethi
ooh, my dear Mrs. Wilmington,
I hope you will never Sc these
things and feel how powerless you
are to keep the restless soul of the
one you love within its pain
wracked body.
II remember all this as though
it were yesterday, although it hap
pened nearly three years ago.
81 sat there during those terrible
hours just afr midnight when
everyone's vitality and courage is
lowest and watched the man had
come to feel was the only beinG
l had loved in the world, fight
valiantly for his life.
Gwen though l mad seen many
die since l had come to the hospita
and I thought 1 had become hard
ened to mortal dissolution yet, be
cause l cared so much, know nov
that l was unduly anxious.
''I was sure that Walter was dy.
ing.
Carefully I thought over my in
structions and satisfied, myself tha
had done everything possible 70
my patient.
His breath became more labor
ed although the windows of tn
room were open wide and l knew
he was getting all the air possible
81 grew cold, but because Wal
ter's fingers were clasped in min
| did not dare to move to get
wrap to put over my dressing gown
cat last l could stand it no long
er. | knew that I must have some
one with me. l managed to releas
Walters hand and although he NOV
ed restlessly. Then l stepped slow