Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1922-08-10
By Idah
McGlone Gibson
Phips Proposal


| The heavens were radiant flat
night and 1 longed to get out of
doors and bask in the beauty of the
night.
1 picked up my crutches and
went through the house to the piaz-
"a outside the library away from
the sea.
1 was sure that by this time Phil
would have found Sheila down by
the shore and I did not want to in
terrupt his love-making. If the
truth must be told l, too, wanted
Phil to settle with Sheila before
Susanne returned.
To my CONSERVATION had hard
ly settled myself in the long steam
er chair in the darkened corner of
the yeranda when Phil and Sheila
neared the steps.
Let's sit down here for a mo-
ment and watch the moon coming
up through the trees, Sheila. 1t
seems almost too beautiful. 1t is a
night such as one reads about but
seldom sees"
! hardly knew what to do. hate
an eavesdroppr but L was afraid
that if Phil was interrupted now
he wouldn't get his chance to pro-
pose to Sheila before Susanne came
into the picture. l decided to sit
quietly where I was.
could see then both plainly.
Sheila was very pale; and an un-
wonted earnestness played about my
brothers face.
Sheila said nothing. 1 was alarm
ed for fear she would decline Phil's
suggestion, but, after an obvious
hesitation she sat down and Phil
dropped on the step below her.
The old, impctuous temperament
that was Phil's pronounced charac-
teristic flared in him and he blurt-
ed out:
"Sheila, 1 love you! love you
so intensely that my whole being
FBries out for you. sheiIa l must
have you-I must"
A look of love ineffable burned
in Phil's handsome face-a love
pure and passionate, I marvelled
that Sheila could resist for a mo-
ment. 1t spoke volumes for her
strength of character that controlled
herself for, with a woman's un-
derstanding of women, knew
Sheila loved Phil. For a long mo-
ment she was silent. A look OF
heart agony flashed from the beau
tiful eyes. The color mounting q
crimson flood suffused her cheeks
Then, in a voice curiously tense
and restrained she said formally:
"Oh, please, please, Mr.. Spencerl
Surely you do not mean it--you
have known me only two days. No
one could fall madly in love in thai
short time"
TN less time dear heart, in less
time!" answered Phil in vibrant
tones, fell in love with you, dear
heart, the moment I pulled you
from in front of that bus-blessed
bus.
II came home to Kay, Sheila
and told her that l had found the
one woman in all the world for me.
She asked your name. I had to tel
her I didn't know it. As L start
ed to explain the God of Love per
formed a miracle-you walked in
upon us. ..
"Oh, Sheila darling! Surely you
can love me little. Please try
dear meart. Give me a chance,
dear heart. Give me a chance
4 know that 1 can make you love
me-"
'Mr. Spencer"
Phil interrupted her.
Cant you. call me Phil SheilaF
Try it. It's not a hard word to say;
and please tell me that l have a
chance"
Il must tell you you have no
chance, Mr.. Phil. 1 must not
listen when you speak to me of
love"
Phil drew back. A look of ming
led pain and hurt passed over his
face. Then, he spoke in a low
voice:
"'There is someone elseF"
Sheila did not answer.
Phil bent forward and took her
hands in his with a gesture of en-
treaty. She lifted her eyes, lumin-
ous with strange light to his and
whispered softly:
mo, there IS no one else"
"Then I viii not take No for
an answer, Sheila. If there were an
other mana man-it strangles me
TO say it, Sheila--a man whom you