The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1901-03-15
!: A Change Of PURPOSE
A Story About an Artist Who Had
No Talent.

So>o>o>o>o<o<>o>o>o>o~o>oS
"Many happy returns of the day, Phil,
dearv' she called out. cts a lovely
morning. Goodbye
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 asked,
with smile.
eyes. We must do something tonight
In honor Of 1t, and you must help US, Mr..
Intel. Goodby. shall be late for my
'bus!"
About an hour later Phil Halstan
emerged from his room. He was tall,
well built young fellow, with somewhat
heavy, indolent looking face. He ate
leisurely breakfast, then, lighting a ciga-
rette, dropped into an armchair by the
fire and let his eyes travel slowly round
the dull room. A look of disgust crept to
his face.
"Ughw he exclaimed. "How horribly
mean and sordid 1t all looksl Shall I
ever get out Of it,"
Presently he rose and, going to cor
ner by the window, drew forward an
easel. He sat himself before 1t and gaz-
ed at the blank canvas. Then he felt for
his box of brushes and fingered them
meditatively. Finally he laid them down
and looked out Of the window.
There was tap at the door, and the
next moment old Mr.. Intel entered.
He lived on the upper floor and had got
to be very friendly with Madge and her
brother.
81 won't interrupt you," he began with
O glance at the easel. 81 only came to
offer you my best wishes"
"Thanks! Please don't CO." cried Phil
as the old man moved toward the door.
"Fact Is, / don't think l shall do much
more work now. Rather thought of CIV
ing myself holiday. Ny birthday, you
know" he added. half jocularly.
Old Intel came forward slowly. He
looked at the blank canvas.
cts going to be a great thing" ex-
planned Phil. "I'm working out the idea
now-it takes time, you know"
The old man nodded and looked out Of
the window. He had been thinking a
good deal of Phil lately-this boy who got
up late, sat dreaming half the day and
loafed the other, who had never earned q
q
devoted sister who as typist In solicit
tors Office worked hard from morn to
night, believing in him heart and soul.
He glanced up sharply at Phil.
"Might / see your portfolio?" he said.
VI used to know something about art"
Phil pulled 1t out with alacrity and
opened it for the old mans inspection.
Mr.. Intel turned them over one by
one. They were crude and badly done,
with no sign of distinctive ability what
ever.
"WellT asked Phil eagerly. He shared
his sisters belief in himself. "Give me
your candid opinion"
Mr.. Intel wiped his glasses and pro-
ceeded to obIige him. He told him the
truth-the unpleasant, naked truth-and
q wave of color swept over young Phil's
cheek. Then he laughed.
cts too ridiculous?' he cried.
Old Mr.. Intel rose from his chair and
made his way to the door.
"I'm sorry" he said, "but I thought
you ought to know"
Phil laughed again as the door closed
on the old man, but 1t was an uncomfort-
able sort of laugh-the laugh of a man
whose mind has been suddenly confront
ed with a new aspect Of the case. He
strobe up and down the room.
"Of course / shall be famous some day
shall pay little Madge back thousand
fold-and she doesn't mind working at
present." he reflected. "And he said I
hadn't a particle of ability, that l was
wasting my time, that ought to be earn
ing my living, keeping Madge, instead Of
letting her.
He glanced toward the window. The
sun was shining temptingly. He walked
to the mantelpiece and found two half
crowns which Madge had left there.
Unthinkingly he slipped these into his
pocket, then, taking his hat and stick.
made his way out OF the house.
He meant to go for a long walk, to
think out his great idea. But he found
he could think Of nothing but old Lin
tells words. The idiotic sentences kept
running through his head. He. Phil Hal
stan, a mere loafer! The thing was alb
surd. Madge herself would be the first
to say 80.
He walked for some time and made an
effort to think Of something else. Pres.
emily he dropped into a cheap restaurant
to have lunch. He sat down at a table.
Next to him two men were talking rather
excitedly.
i uOn care VINO IL Is, one was ue-
claring emphatically, "the chap who
loafs while a woman works for him Is a
hound and deserves to be kicked! Why.
I'd sooner sweep the roadway"
Phil. with a red face, rose and hurried
" left the place.
It was half past 2 the same afternoon
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
a young man standing by the window.
His back was turned to her.
"Phil," she cried joyously, 81 have q
half holidayw
The figure in the window turned, and
she gave little cry of surprise.
| "Dick" she gasped in establishment.
Dick Evington came toward her, hold
ing out his hand.
Gust 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
It."
There was dainty flush on her cheeks
He thought he had never seen her look
20 beautiful
II hope 1t is something good for you.
Dick" she said. SIS itP'
II don't know-yet," he said slowly
shat is, until I've heard what you have
to say"
Now, It happened that at this moment
Phil Halstan was vending his way