The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-09-10
THE EVENING STORY
Love and a Bridge.

make trouble about our engagement
Because father refuses to let you
don't you trust his judgment about the
business? He's older and has had far
more experience
iii see him again." and Carson
kissed the mouth that was reproach1ng
him. There must be some other way
out"
Old Isaac Merriam had told him of
one way out in heated argument the
day before. He was the local con-
tractor for the bridge which young
Carson had designed and the erection
of which he was experimenting for the
little town of Lindaville. Merriam had
tried to sneak in some inferior mater
ials and Carson. discovering them, had
gone to Merriam with the contract and
refused to allow the substitution. Mer-
Ram had Sneered at his scrupleS, as
surfing him that the council knew OF
the substitution, and permitted him TO
make his profit by it. No stress be-
yond ordinary wear would be put upon
the bridget was not used as much
as the downtown bridges-and the ma
terials Carson stipulated were unnec-
essarily expensive. But Carson refused
to overlook the fraud, and by threat
ening to give publicity to the whoie
transaction. forced Merriam TO follow
his orders.
The love affair with Sally Merriam
had started early in the season, when
Merriam, by inviting the young eng1-
neer-a stranger in town-to come ire
quently to his home. had hoped to put
him under social obligations he could
not forget. That he would fall in love
with Sally, he perhaps forsaw-nearly
every one did that. And as Carson
came from an old and wealthy east
ern family, Merriam was not altogeth-
err displeased when Sally returned his
love- But when he could not force his
business ideas upon Carson, and found
him determined to ignore past kindness
and future relationship, Merriam grew
furiously angry. and forbade Sally to
let him come to the house, telling her
that her lover had tricked and deceived
him about the bridge.
Carson went Indignantly to him. IT
certainly protest. sir, against your
statement to Sally. 1t is not fair to tell
her that 1 have been underhanded
when 1 am merely insisting upon the
terms of the contract. Of course, 1
can't point out to her that her own
father is at fault"
Old Merriam's face did not show the
relief he felt. 1t had been his fear that
Carson might tell his daughter just
that-he would have done so had their
positions been reversed. And the
shrewd old business man loved his
motherless daughter even better than
he loved his money, and could not pear
to have her think ill of him.
There's still time to change your
mind. Just cancel the order for ex-
pensive materials and trust to my
jLdgment-Ive built more bridges
than you have. If you love the girl,
you can do that much for her, and
give up some of your quixotic ideas. ,"
Carson looked at him angrily.
you'd even use your own daughter
for a bride. Well leave her out of
terials went in yesterday. I wouldn't
risk using the cheaper stuff you want
to put in even if this were my last
instead of my first bridge
came, the new bridge was practically
completed. 1t was more graceful
than the ugly red steel and wood
structures that were in use downtown,
admire the three arches that spanned
the Wabash. The spring floods took
the town by surprise, and the usually
sluggish river ragged beyond its banks,
swept over the business section and
rose steadily to the residence district.
Merchants abandoned their stores, and
as the water followed rnem to their
homes, some of the citizens went for
Even the most fearless were alarmed
one morning after the water had
risen mercilessly all night; and they
were forced to leave when the real
from safety.
The news spread that the old
bridges leading across the river from
the business section had been torn
from the piers during the night, their
iron beams twisted like copper wire
and hurled to one side. The new
bridge was the only one that remain
ed, and if it went the town would be
cut off entirely. 1t was rumored, too.
that the flood was still higher up
stream and that the worst had not yet
reached Lindaville. Men were sent
on horse back and in boats to get the
people to leave their homes and go to
the hills while there was a way open.
All morning citizens were crossing
while Merriam and Carson stood on
guard, keeping back the crowds and
They watched with anxiety the logs,
sap!ings and debris that the current
threw with terrific force against the
masonry. For several months they
had spoken only of business, but now
they shared common worries. Their
newly accomplished work might be
proven faulty at any time-before all
the townspeople had cross to safety
ing for one face-Sally had not come.
Carson could bear it no longer.
where's Sally?''
I'm worried about her." replied
Merriam huskily. ''Since 1 had to be
away all night, I took her to the
Locey girls. They went across a while
ago and told me that Sally had gone
home for some things that belonged
to her mother and promised to follow
soon. Unless she comes in few min
utes, I'll ask you to keep the men at
work and go in search"
I'll go now, sir. You're doing bet
ter work here than I can
During the next hour Merriam suf-
fered agonies. He doubted if the
bridge could stand much longer the |
terrific strain that was put upon it.
T1,e Tor -fi riC inc md vor1yd
soon cover it even if it remained. If
the bridge gave way-well, at any |
rate, he would go with it; but he |
prayed that it would hold till Sally |
came. Nearly every one else had
crossed over. He thought hopefully
of Carson-the man who had prevent