Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1917-03-22

YES" said the colonel, "but we
don't want our experiment to full in
this instance"
"They won't" said the young man
boldly.
He had long since persuaded himself
thar he had been all wrong and his
father all right. so that he entered
upon his defense and the defense Of
the bridge with enthusiasm. He was
ready to brea k n lance with anybody
on its behalf"
"Well," began the colonel. 1--WE have
every confidence in your father and in
you. l don't mind telling you, Meade,
1t need not 80 any further, that when
this bridge is completed We shall be
prepared to make you personally a
very advantageous offer for future re-
lntions with the Martlet comp any If
you care TO accept 1t. On the strength
Of your probable acceptance we are al
ready planning to venture into certain
foreign fields which we have hitherto
not felt 1t to our interest to enter"
THAT is most kind of you, Colonel
Illingworth," said the young man CRATE
fully. "and it appeals to me very
strongly. l have been associated with
father latterly. He wants to retire
with the completion of this bridge, and
before I open any office Of my W I
should like the advantage Of further
experience. Such a connection as you
propose seems to me to be ideal. from
my point Of view. No man could have
any better backing than the Martlet
Bridge company"
swell We shall look to you to be
worthy of it," said the colonel kindly.
His glance vaguely comprehended
his daughter as he spoke. Colonel
Illingworth was a very rich man. The
Mattlet Bridge company was nearest
his heart, but he had many other in
terests. His only daughter would event
ually be the mistress Of a great for
tune. Meade was not poor. OF course,
his means were limited compared to
Colonel Illingworth's great fortune. but
what he had earned, saved, and invest
ed was suficient-yes, even for two.
And he would inherit much more. Old
Meade had not been the greatest engi-
neer Of his generation for nothing. In
dependent and self-respecting, young
Meade could not be considered Il for
tune hunter by anybody. He was the
Lind nf man RI yfyhnt, ~ lnnant fpfhnr
likes to intrust his daughter. Old
Colonel Illingworth found himself gaZ-
ing wOnderingly ut the two.
After dinner the men sat out on the
observation platform with their cigars
and coffee. For those that liked it
there was something in tall glasses in
which ice tinkled when the glasses
were agitated, but Meade declined all
three.
"With your permission, sir" he said,
II am going to take Miss IllingwOrth
out on the bridge. The moon is rising
and"
II have heard so much about It,"
said the girl, standing by the door.
81 want to see 1t when the workmen
are all off and it is all quiet, in the
moonlight"
Every well. You had better change
your dress. Helen, before you CO." said
the colonel, turning to Abbott and en-
him in conversation on techni-
cal matters.
"Ill wait for you at the front door
of the car" said the engineer, his heart
beating like u pneumatic riveter and
sounding almost as loud in his ears.
II won't he long," she whispered as
she left him.
Helen did not want to waste time
any more than Meade did. So, instead
Of taking her fathers advice, all she
did was to cover her beautiful shout
ders with Il light wrap and hasten to
the car door in the shortest possible
time. Every moment they were apart,
since the sum-total in which they could
be together was so small, was a mo-
lost. Il
"Now," she said, coming out Of the
door Of the car and descending the
steps toward him, eagerly expectant,
Il want a prize for my swiftness."
"a p%rlze!" returned the man, "why, !
been gone years, and you
haven't even changed your gown. You