The Dermott news., 1917-07-05

] Colonel Illingworth opened the gate, lifted the platform, and descended the steps.
 by the two.
 i His daughter took him by the arm and they walked down the platform so as to be out of any possible hearing from the car.
 Now" she said to Meade. who fol- lowed her.
 His heart was beating almost as rap l idly as it had on the bridge, and for exactly the same reason-fe ar of los ing her. He tried to speak.
 Well. young man?" said Hing worth. flicking the ashes from his cigar and wishing to get it over you said you had something to say to me"
 Its very hard thing to say, sir" He looked helplessly Ut the girl, but she was speeches.. IL was his task. If she were not worth asking for she was not worth having. she might have said Well sir" he began desperate ly. "I love your daughter, Helen. l want to marry her"
 "Umph," said the colonel, 'I sup posed as much. How long have you l and Helen known each otherT
 over Il year. sir. but 1 loved her from the very moment l saw her. did not dare hope. l didn't dream, never imagined. and strange as it may seem. sir she-seems to love me"
 "Of course I do" said Helen. realiz- ing that it was now high time for her to come to the rescue of her lover, and so would any other woman
 You know, of course, that while l am not rich, am not poor, and l can support my wife in every comfort, sir urged the man. greatly relieved by the womans prompt avowal.
 shell need few luxures besides I'm thinking"
 Yes. of course. sir, I'll see that she gets them This bridge k going to make Us all famous. and l shall have my fathers influence and"
 When the bridge is finished, said the colonel decisisely, come to me and you shall have my daughter Ni4l lalltls illt bI ltiEt NVh ft hAA ished for" began the girl.
 ''I understand sir" answered the en- gineer, too happy at her fathers con- sent to make any difficulties over any reasonable conditions he might impose. Yes, Helen, it's all right your father Is right. This jobs got to be done be- I fore r."
 "Oh, don't say before you tackle an other" protested the girl, half disap- pointed. and yet seeing the reasonable ness of both men, while the colonel laughed grimly.
 That's about the size of It." said the old man. mo matter how you put IL. One thing at a time. Meade, l don't know anybody on earth l would rather have for my son-in-law than Il clean, honest, able American with il record like yours. A man who can look me in the eye and grasp me by the hand, l like this
 He put out his hand as he spoke. Meade's own palm met IL and the two men shook hands internationally but firmly, after the manner of the self restrained. practical American, who is always fearful of scene and does not wear his heart upon his sleeve. The colonel threw away his cigar slipped his arm around his daughters waist, kissed her softly on the forehead.
 ''I hate to lose you. Helen. I hate to give you up to anyone. We have been very happy together since your mother died. leaving you little girl to me: but it had to come, I suppose, and per haps l shall be glad in the end. Good night Meade. You will be coming in presently, Helen?"
 He turned and walked away as they 1 answered him. They watched him go slowly with pended head. They watched him climb, rather heavily, up the steps to the car-that he was an old man seemed rather suddenly borne in upon them. He stood for moment in the light. smiling, remembering, and then turned and marched within the car. He switched the light out as he i passed down the corridor.
 "Wasnt he splendid?" said Helen, when she had time to breathe and free ! dom to speak.
 "One of the finest old men on earth. He and father would make a great team"
 "I was interested in the bridge, be- fore" said the woman. but think how 1 shall watch 1t now. You must write me every day and tell me every inch that you have gained"
 "Trust me, I'll measure 1t in milli- meters"
 And now, sweet love, good night" she whispered. And she laughed as she looked back at him through the dOOr