The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1901-03-15
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! A Change of Purpose. !
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Of a Bloomsbury lodging house. She
was young and pretty, with delicate
thoughtful looking features. She glanc-
ed at the clock-it wanted a few min
utes to 9-then rose from her seat and
walking to the window, pulled back the
faded red curtains.
"A clHr sky-there VIII be a spien-
did light soon for Phil" she exclaimed.
She turned and made her way back
to the fireplace. An envelope on the
mantelplece caught her eye. 1t was an
old one. and had been there for some
weeks. but she took 1t down once
again. and drew a card out-a mere
ordinary Christmas card, with the
words, "Madge, from Dick written
upon IT, She gazed at It reheetively'
then replaced It with little sigh.
"Ah, Dick" she murmured, III only
things had gone little better with
usw
The chimes OF clock striking the
hour caught her ear, and she made hur
ried preparations for her departure On
her way down she tapped at door
and opened ii half an inch.
Many happy returns of the day
Phil, dear" she called out ITS a
lovely morning, Good-by"
She ran down the stairs lightly. In
the hall she was met by an elderly
looking man in a velveteen coat. She
nodded brightly to him, and he opened
the door for her.
Your brothers birthday he ask
ed with a smile.
"Yes. We must do something to-
night in honor Of it, and you must
help us, Mr.. Lintell! Good-by-l shall
be late for my bus"
About an hour later, Phil Halstan
emerged from his room. He was tall
well built young fellow, with some
what heavy. ndolent-looklng face. He
ate a lelsurely breakfast then, lighting
cigarette, dropped into an armchair
by the fire and let his eyes travel slow
ly round the dull roOm A look of dis
gust crept to his face.
"Ugh~ he exclaimed How horribly
mean and sordid 1t all looks! Shall
ever get out Of ltT"
Presently he rose, and, going to a
corner by the window, drew forward
an easel. He sat himself before 1t and
gazed at the blank canvas. Then he
felt for his box Of brushes and fingered
them meditatlvely. Finally he laid
them down and looked ont Of the win
dow.
There was tap at the door, and the
next moment old Mr., Intel entered
lie lived on the upper HoOr and had got
to be very friendly with Madge and
her brother,
81 won't interrupt you" he began
with a glance at the easel. 81 only
came to offer you my best wishes
Thanks! Please don't CO." criet
Phil, as the old man moved toward thu
door. Fact Is, | don't think ! shal
do much more work now-rathel
thought Of giving myself holiday
My birthday, you know he added hal
Jocularly.
Old Intel came forward slowly. HI
looked at the blank canvas.
ITS going to be great thing" ex
planned Phil I'm working out thu
idea nOw-lt takes time, you know"
The old man nodded, and looked on
Of the window. He had been thinking
good deal Of Phil lately-this bO!
who got UP late, sat dreaming half tn
day, and loafed the other. who hat
never earned a penny in his life, KEEP
in dleness by devoted sister who, a
typst In solicitors office, worket
hard from morn to night, believing fl
him heart and soul.
He glanced up sharply at Phil.
might see your portfolio" h
said. II used to know something
about art"
Phil pulled 1t out with alacrity an,
opened 1t for the old mans inspection
Mr.. Intel turned them over one b.
one. They were crude and badly done
with no sign Of distinctive ability what
ever.
"WellT asked Phil eagerly. H
shared his sisters belief in himself
"Glve me your candid opinion"
Mr.. Intel wiped his glasses an
proceeded to oblige him. He told hir
the truth-the unpleasant, naked trut
and wave Of color swept over youn
Pills cheek. Then he laughed.
tits too ridiculous" he cried.
OLD Mr. Lintell rose from his chat
and made his way to the door.
I'm sorry" he sald but | though
you ought to know"
Phil laughed again as the door close
on the old man-but 1t was an uncon
Portable sort Of laugh-the laugh of
man whose mind had been suddenl
confronted with a new aspect of tn
case. He strode up and down the room
"Of course, | shall be famous som
day--shall pay little Madge back
tbousandfold-and she doesn't min
working at present. he reflected. "An
he said hadn't particle of abilit.
that | was wasting my time. that
ought to be earning my living, keepin
Madge, instead of letting her--r'
He glanced toward the window. I'll
sun, was shining temptingly. He wal
ed to the mantelpiece and found tw
half-crowns which Msdge had lie
there. Unthinkingly he slipped the'
into his pocket, then, taking hat an
stick, made his way out of the hous
lie meant to go for long walk,
think out his great idea. But he -four
he could think OF nothing but old Ii
tells words. The ldiotic sentence ke
running through his head. He, Pf
Halstan, q mere loafer! The thing W,
absurd; Madge herself would he Il
first to say so.