Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1901-06-26

81 don't care who it Isl" one was
declaring emphatically. 'The chap
who loafs while woman works for2im
is 'ound, and deserves to be kicked!
Why, I'd sooner sweep the roadBay.'s
Phil, with red face, rose and hur-
riedly left the place. X
1t was haif-past two the same after,
noon when Madge ran lightly up the
staircase 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:
window. His back was turned to her,
Phil" she cried joyously, II have
a half holiday"
The figure in the window turned and
she gave little cry of surprise.
"Dick," she gasped in astonishment.l
Dick Evington came toward her,
holding out his hand. q.
Just Dick" he answered with q:
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;
il"
There was a dainty flush on her
cheeks; he thought he had never seen
her look so beautiful.
II hope it is something good for you,
Dick" she said. rs it?"
~ don't know-yet," he said slowly:
That is, until I've heard what you;
have to say"
Now it happened that at this mo-
ment 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 shit,
and he heard voices-Madge's and an
others. He recognized it after a mo-:
ment. Then he caught few of the:
words. He glanced al uund. Thcra hi4'
ing was dark. Hardly knowing what;
he did, he sank down on the flIstgstairS
and listened. ~
81 knew things would concerts ,sts
at last, Madge, dear!" EvingtoAss;
voice was saying. "But didn't think;
it would be as splendid as this. a good
post abroad-only open to a married
man, too" 6:
5 There was a pause. Outsid Phil
gragped the zbanniste Tiers a.
his head he found Intel had cFspf to
his side. -;
Then they heard Madge's ve.ce. II
was low and tremulous.
"l'm so sorry, Dick, but 5
"Why, Madge, you love me?"
Eyes, love you, Dick-always have
loved you-always shall! But" There
was pause, then in whisper,
There's Phil"
Old Lintell laid hand on The ,ounS.
mans shoulder.
But surely Phil won't mini" lid
Evington. HE is a man and ca. cru
his own living. He would not Wet.
you to give up this.
"You don't understan" Dick!" There
were tears in Madge's voice this time.
Some day Phil will be great artist
be l.mous, but just now-he wants my
help! Oh, Dick. I'm so sorry, but I
can't leave him-can't go with you.
though l love you SOL"
Phil Halstan shook old Lintells
hand from his shoulder, and rose sud-
denly TO his feet. He stood for mo-
ment undecided, then crept away on
tip-toc to the stairs. Old Lintell fol-
lowed.
"What are you going to do?" he said.
Phil made no reply He crammed his
hat on his head, opened the door and
stepped into the street Old Lintell
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; cor going to
continue to idle your life away-she
keeping you?"
Phil hardly seemed to hear him. He
was striding along with his hands
thrust deep in his pockets, his eyes
staring straight ahead of him. Sud-
denly he threw his head back.
"You heard-she doesn't want to go
hersclf!" he cried, almost 4ercely.
Shed soon forget all about it"
"a girl with a heart like Madge's
never forgcts!" replied old Lintell.
"What are you going to do?" he re-
peated, relentleSsly.
"a little more time-and might DO
something big!" broke out Phil.
you've loafed for three years-and
done nothing!" said the old man. "You
know you will never do anything in
art. You've wilfully shut your eyes,
and used it as an excuse to yourself
and her for idling!" =
The young mans mouth was twitch-
ing convulsively.
You're right" he cried. in a hoarse
voice, "but what's there left for me &c
dol know nothing, have done moth
ing!" he finished helplessly.
"Be man. There's always some
thing for a man to do! Remember
what she has done for you"
They had reached ST. Martin:
church at Charing Cross. Phil stopped
and passed hand over his brow. The
old man watched him anxiously. He
saw Phils eye travel across the roat
to where the recruiting sergeants were
pacing slowly up and down, alert fol
new blood Then Phil Halstan sud
denly gave his shoulders jerk back.
Yes" he said between his shu
teeth. There's always something lef
for a man TO DO"
He crossed the road.
That night Madge was sitting alon,
reading letter that had been brough
70 her by messenger. The tears cam
to her eyes as she read the last few
sentences:
For three years hav
nlaycd it as low as fellow can. Blu
I'm going to be man at last, Madge
# YOU want to make me happy, dear