Junction City bulletin. [volume] (Junction City, Or.) 189?-1901, 1901-03-14
A Change of Purpose.
I Eel

Sr~~~~~~N~~0N~S~~~~>~
ought 10 be earning my living. keeping
Madge. instead OF letting her.
He glanced toward the window. The
sun was shining temptingly. lie walk
cd 10 the niantcipiecc and found two
haif-crowns which Madge had left
there. Unthinkingiy he slipped these
into his pocket. then. taking hat and
stick. made Ills way out Of the house.
He Ineant 10 so for long walk, TO
think out his great idea. But he found
he could think Of nothing but old Lin
tells words. The idiotic sentence kept
running through bis head. lie. Phil
Halstan, mere loafer! The thing was
absurd: Madge herself would be the
first 20 say 50.
He walked for some time, and made
an effort 20 think OF something else.
Presently be dropped Into cheap res
tanrant 10 have lunch. He sat down
at table: next 10 him two men were
talking rather excitedly.
II don't care who II is!s one was de-
claring emphatically. "The chap who
loafs while woman works for i'm Is a
'ound. and deserves 20 be kicked! Why,
I'd sooner sweep the roadway
Phil, with red face, rose and hur.
riedly left the place.
II was half past the same afternoon
when Madge ran lightly up the stair
case Of the house In bloomsbury. and
burst Into the sitting room. Her face
was flushed and her eyes sparkied She
saw young man standing by the win
dow. His back was turned TO her.
"PhIl!" she cried joyously. IL have
half holiday
The figure In the window turned and
she gave a little cry OF surprise.
"Dickr she gasped In astonishment.
Dick Evington came toward her,
holding out hls hand.
"Just Dick" he answered with
smile. He caught her hand and stood
looking Into her face. Something has
happened, Mndge. and I've come up at
once from Arlington TO tell you about
IT,"
There was a dainty flush on her
cheeks: he thought he had never seen
her look so beautiful.
II hope 1t Is something good for you.
Dick" she said. els ItY''
Il don't know-yet." he said. slowly.
''That Is. until I've heard what you
have 20 say"
Now II happened that at this moment
PHI Halstan was vending his way
homewards He let himself In with his
latchkey and went up TO their room.
The door was not quite shut, and he
heard voices Madge's and another's.
He recognized II after n moment. Then
he caught few OF the words. He
glanced round. The landing was dark.
Hardly knowing what he did. he sank
down on the first stair and listened.
II knew things would come right nj
last. M.dge, dearT' Evington's voice
was saying. "But didn't think 1t
would be ms splendid as this. A good
post ahroad-only open to married
man. too"
There was a pause. Outside Phil
grusped the bannlster. There was a
slight movement by him. and turning
his head he found I.intell had crept to
his side,
Then they heard Madge's voice. 1t
was low and tremulous.
Tim sorry, Dick. but"
"Why. Madge. you love mef''
"yes, love You, Dick--always have
loved you--always shalt But"
There was pause, then In whisper.
There's Phil"
Old Intel laid hand on the young
mans shoulder.
.'But surely Phil won't mlndr cried
Eyington. "He is a man, and can earn
his own living. He would not wish
you TO give up this"
"You don't understand, Dlckw There
were tears In Mndge's voice this time.
"Some day Phil will be great artist.
he famous, but just noW--he wants my
help! oh, Dick, I'm so sorry, hut
can't leave hlm-can't go with you
though love you so!'
Phil Halstan shok old Lintelrs hand
from his shoulder, and rose suddenly to
his feet. lie stood for moment nm
decided, then crept away on tiptoe
down the stairs. Old Lintell followed.
"What are you going to dor he said.
Phil made no reply He crammed
his hat on his head, opened the door
and stepped into the street, Old Lin
tell went with him, and they walked
away together.
Are you going to let her lose her
one big chance Of happiness" said old
Lintell, in low voice; ''or going to con-
tinue to idle your life away--she keep
ing your"