The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1901-05-03
A Change of Purpose.
Ell Es *

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Madge, instead of letting her.
He glanced toward the window The
sun was shining temptingiy. He walk
ed to the mantelpiece 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, a mere loaferl 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 a 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 a woman works for i'm is a
'ound, and deserves to be Kicked Why,
I'd sooner sweep the roadway"
Phil, with a red face, rose and hur-
riedly left the place.
It 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 sparkled. She
saw young man standing by the win
dow His back was turned to her.
"Philw she cried joyously, Il have
half holidayr'
The figure In the window turned and
she gave a little cry of surprise.
"Dickp she gasped in establishment.
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 a dainty flush on her
cheeks; he thought he had never seen
her look so beautiful.
81 hope it is something good for you,
Dick" she said. as. 1T?
81 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.
heard voices-Madge's and another's
He recognized it after a moment. Ther
he caught a few of the words. II,
glanced round. The landing was dark
Hardly knowing what he did, he sanl
, down on the first stair and listened.
81 knew things would come right n
last. Msdge. dearr Evington's voice
was saying. "But I didn't think
would be as splendid as this. A goo,
post abroad-only open to a married
man, toov'
: There was a pause. Outside Phi
grasped the bannister. There was
slight movement by him. and turning
his head he found Intel had crept t
his side.
Then they heard Madge's voice.
was low and tremulous.
d. "I'm sorry. Dick. but"
"Why. Madge. you love me?"
Eyes. love you. Dick-always hav
, loved you-always shall! But
= There was pause. then in a whisper
:. "There's Philr
Old Intel laid a hand on the youn
\ mans shoulder.
"But surely Phil won't mindv erie
Evington. HE is a man, and can ear
his own living. He would not wis
you to give up this"
&c .'You don't understand, Dickr' TheI
. were tears in Madge's voice this tim
"Some day Phil will be a great arts
~ be famous, but just now-he wants IN
u help! Oh. Dick, I'm so sorry, hut
y can't leave him-can't go with you
e though love you so!''
Phil Halstan shok old LintelIs har
from his shoulder, and rose suddenly
: his feet. He stood for a moment II
" decided. then crept away on tiptC
down the stairs. Old Intel followe
What are you going to doy' he sal
- Phil made no reply. He cramm'
20 his hat on his head, opened the do
and stepped into the street Old Ii
tell went with him, and they walk
II away together.
"Are you going to let her lose h
~ one big chance Of happinessf" said o
Intel, in a low voice; cor going to co
- tInue to idle your life away-she kee
NJ ing your
a Phil hardly seemed to hear him. I
ly was striding along with his han
he thrust deep in his pockets, his ey