Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1922-08-11
sheila's Surrender
BY Idah
McGIone Gibson

mvself known. / feared that if
phil did not overcome Sheila's OBJ
ieetions at this time it would be
impossible later. She would have
reached decision and would prob
ably maintain it.
l resented Sheila's attitude. l was
amazed that she could refuse so
eligible a young mana man who
had everything to offer, name,
position, prospects, a man any wo-
man could be proud of. What was
the matter9 Phil had made every
appeal and yet she was cold.
But was she eold1
Though she was saying to Phil
that he must not make love to heS,
her voice came to me in low and
thrilling tones ladened with that
emotional quality which once heard
one never mistakes in man or %o-
man. 1t was the love-call.
Hearing it my own emotions took
fire. Memories of other days surg
ed over me. 1t was on just such
n night as this that Blake-Blake
who had gone away from me for
ever-had told me that I was the
one woman in all the world! I could
feel his elinging arms about me;
hear his voice across the long, lone
" years that had come between, and
recognize that unmistakable tone in
his voice--the tone of love-
Unbidden, my tears began to fall.
I tried to stifle my sobs for l did
not want that blessed moment spoil
ed for those out there In the moon
light. 1t could never come again.
There is one supreme, ecstactic mo-
ment in the love Of man for
maid which, when attained, carries
the lovers to spiritual heights never
reached again, and the thought
struck me that if Sheila accepted
Phil and there would come a time
when like I, she had only memories,
| wanted those memories to be as
sweet as mine were now. The in
trusion of a third person would
spoil everything.
Blake, dear" whispered to my
self, you have much the easiest
part, for you are where there is no
loneliness, no grief"
My attention at that moment was
called to what Sheila was saying
Pills pleading had had some ef-
feet upon her for although hel
voice was very low, it came to me
in a kind of tremulous distinctnes'
the more vibrant and impassionet
by her very efforts to repress he.
feelings.
"Phil, dea-" Sheila caught her
self lest the word release the flood
gates of her feelings, Phillip, il
1 told you that 1 did not car,
more for you than thought it pos
sible for me to care for any man i
would be an untruth, but | must no
let mvself grow into loving YOU 8,
much that I cannot live withou
you. I dare not, Phillip"
you don't have to live withou
me, Sheila dear. l want you to Low
me so much that you couldn't hv
without me-"
"Phillip. your words. the Low
YOU offer me are the finest thing
that have come into my life, but
Phillip, Won do not understand.
owe 1t to DR.. Thornton and Mr.,
Walton to arrange nv life as the
will. They have done so much 70
me-they came to me when l hadn'
friend in the world and helpe
me to bear the trouble that coul
only come to a lonely, heartsicl
friendless girl.
This afternoon DR.. Thornton tol
me that 1 would be much happie
eventually If 1 stuck to my Job an
did not trv to live the life of eas
that Mrs. Wilmington was offerin
me from her generous heart. And
think he's right, PHIL think he
right"
Did Thornton know that love
you, Sheilaf"
1 had never heard such an ugl
sound In PhiIs voice before. IT WIS
a hidden heritage from some prim
tive ancestor Of remote ages -tA
battlecry OF the male. In vivid 60,
trast came the silyery voice {
Sheila,
mo. dear Phil He spoke 70 m
this afternoon and it il only NO
+ho4 "a .