The Benson signal., 1917-04-21

/ Colonel Illingworth opened the gate,
lifted the platform, and descended the
steps.
"Here I am," he said as he stopped
by the two.
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
idly as it had on the bridge, and for
exactly the same reason-fear Of los
ing her. He tried to speak.
"Well, young MANI" said Hing
worth, ficking the ashes from his cigar
and wishing to get it over, "you said
you had something to say to me-"
"It's very hard thing to say, sir"
He looked helplessly at the girl, but
she was speechless. 1t was his task.
If she were not worth asking for, she
was not worth having, she might have
said. swell, sir" he began desperate
ly, II love your daughter, Helen.
want to marry her."
"Umph," said the colonel, II sup
posed as much. How long have you
and Helen known each other"
"Over year, sir, but loved her
from the very moment I saw her. l
did not dare hope, I didn't dream,
never imagined, and strange as it may
seem, sir, she-Seems to love me-"
"Of course 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 I
am not rich, am not poor, and can
support my wife in every comfort sir"
urged the man, greatly relieved by the
woman's prompt avowal.
I'm thinking"
eyes, Of course, sir, TIL see that she
gets them. This bridge is going to
make us all famous, and I shall have
my fathers influence and"
"When the bridge is finished" said
the colonel decisively, "come to me and
you shall have my daughter"
"Oh, father, the bridge won't be fin
ished for" began the girl.
II understand, SIR" answered the en-
gineer, too happy at her fathers con-
sent to make any difficulties over any
reasonable conditions he might impose.
eyes, Helen, it's all right; your father
is right. This jobs got to be done be-:
fore I"
"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 it.
One thing at time. Meade, I don't
know anybody on earth would rather
have for my son-in-law than a clean,
honest, able American with a record
like yours. A man who can look me
in the eye and grasp me by the hand,
like this"
He put out his hand as he spoke.
Meade'S own palm met it 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.
81 hate to lose you, Helen. hate to
give you up to anyone. We have been
very happy together since your mother
died, leaving you a little girl to me;
but it had to come, suppose, and per-
haps shall be glad in the end. Good
night, Meade. You will be coming in
presently, Helen?"
He turned and walked away as they
answered him. They watched him go
slowly with bended 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
passed down the corridor.
"Wasn't he splendid?" said Helen,
when she had time to breathe and free
dom to speak.
zone of the finest old men on earth.
He and father would make a great
team"
81 was interested in the bridge, be-
FORE" said the woman, "but think how
I shall watch it now. You must write
me every day and tell me every inch
that you have gained"
"Trust me, I'll measure it in milli-
meters"
"And now, sweet love, good night"
she whispered. And she laughed as
she looked back at him through the
door.
CHAPTER w.