Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1901-03-27
M 48 B3 F ERE
a44tE EE RE I93 sa Ea
! ] ] A Change of Purpose.
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~~~~~~~N~ON~~O~~~~
ought to be earning my living, keeping
Madge, instead Of letting her-r'
He glanced toward the window. The
sun was shining temptingly. He walk
ed to the mantelplece and found two
half-crowns which Madge had left
there. Unthinkingly he slipped these
into his pocket, then, taking hat and
stick, made his way out of the house.
He meant to go 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 his head. He, Phil
Halstan mere loafer! The thing was
absurd; Madge herself would be the
first to say SO.
He walked for some time, and made
an effort to think Of something else.
Presently he dropped into cheap res
taurant to have lunch. He sat down
at table; next to him two men were
talking rather excitedly.
II don't care who it isl" one was de
claring emphatically. "The chap who
loafs while woman works for I'm Is a
'ound, and deserves to be kickedl Why,
I'd sooner sweep the roadway
Phil, with a red face, rose and hur-
riedly left the place.
1t was half past 2 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 sparkled. She
saw young man standing by the WIN
dow. His back was turned to her.
"Philw she cried joyously, 81 have a
half holidayr'
The figure In the window turned and
she gave little cry Of surprise.
"Dick" she gasped in astonishment.
Dick Evington came toward her,
holding out his hand.
"Just Dick,' he answered with a
smile. He caught her hand and stood
looking into her face. Something has
happened, Madge, and I've come up at
once from Arlington to tell you about
It."
There was dainty flush on heI
cheeks; he thought he had never seer
her look so beautiful.
~ hope 1t is something good for you
Dick," she said. as it?"
II don't know-yet," he said, slowly
"That Is. until I've heard what you
have to say"
Now It happened that at this moment
Phil 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 It after a moment. Then
he caught a 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.
IT knew things would come right al
last. Madge, dearw Evington's voice
was saying. "But l didn't think II
would be as splendid as this. A good
post abroad-only open to a married
man, tool"
There was a pause. Outside Phi
grasped the bannister. There was a
slight movement by him, and turning
his head he found Lintell had crept tc
his side.
Then they heard Madge's voice. I,
was low and tremulous.
I'm sorry, Dick, but"
"Why, Madge, you love mer
Eyes, love you, Dick-always have
loved you-always shalt But
There was a pause, then in a whisper
There's Philv'
Old Mntell laid hand on the young
mans shoulder.
"But surely Phil won't mind" cried
Evington. HE is a man, and can carr
his own living. He would not wisf
you to give up this"
"You don't understand, Dickr' Their,
were tears in Mhdge's voice this time
"Some day Phil will be great artist
be famous, but just now-he wants my
help! Oh, Dick, I'm so sorry, but
can't leave him-can't go with you
though love you sol"
Phil Halstan shok old Lintell's hant
from his shoulder, and rose suddenly t
his feet. He stOcd for a moment un
decided, then crept away on tipto'
down the stairn. Old Lintell followed
what are you going to doT he said
Phil made no reply. He cramme'
his hat on his head, opened the doc
and stepped into the street. Old Nn
tell went with him, and they wakes
away together.
Are you going to let her lose he
one big chance of happinessY said ol,
Lintell, in a low voice; "or going to con
tinue to idle your life away--she keep
Ing your
Phil hardly seemed to hear him. H
was striding along with his hand