The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1917-03-16

the doctor and the officers OF the law
examined the body of the old man.
The son had eyes for no one but the
old colonel. "The failure of the bridge
has broken his heart; my failure, I'd
better say"
81 understand" said Ilingworth. "He
is fortunate. would rather have died
than have seen any son of mine
forced TO confess criminal ineompe-
tency like yours"
"Father," said the girl with a resO-
luton and firmness singularly like his
own. 81 can't hear you speak this way,
and l will not"
DO you go with him or do you notl"
Numbered the colonel.
1t was Meade who answered for her.
'She goes with you. love her and
she loves me, but / won't drag her
down In my ruin"
~ am glad to see honor and decency
are in you STILL" said the colonel, "even
if you are incompetent"
'If you say another word to him /
will never go with you as long as l
live" flashed out Helen nlingworth.
II deserve all that he can say. Your
duty is with him. Good-by," said
Meade.
"And l shall see you again?"
"0f course. Now you must go with
your father"
Helen Illingworth turned to the colo
mel.
II shall go with you because he bids
me, not because"
whatever the reason" said the old
soldier, ''you co." He paused a mo-
ment, looking from the dead man to
the living one. Meade" he exclaimed
at last, II am sorry for your father,
am sorry for you. Good-by, and
never want to see you or hear of you
again. Come, Helen"
The woman stretched out her hand
toward her lover as her father took
her by the arm. Meade looked at her a
moment and then turned away DELHI
erately as if to mark the final sever
ance.
With bent head and beating heart,
she followed her father out of the
room. There he had to fight off the
reporters. He denied that his daugh-
ter was going to marry young Meade.
She strove to speak and he strove to
force her to be quiet. In the end she
had her way.
AT Mr.. Meade's own request" she
said finally, "our engagement has been
broken off. Personally consider my
self as much bound as ever, but in
Difference to his wishes and to my fa-
theirs"
"Have you said enough?" roared the
colonel, losing all control of himself at
last. "No, will not be questioned or
pterrunted another minute. Come
He almost dragged the girl from the
room.
Within the private office the ply
stefan said that everything pointed to a
heart lesion, but only an autopsy would
absolutely determine 1t. Meanwhile the
law would have to take charge of the
body temporarily. 1t was late at night
before Bertram Meade and old Shurt-
lift were left alone. Carefully seeing
that no one was present in the suite
Of offices Meade turned to Shurtliff.
sect me that memorandum / wrote
to my father. You know where he kept
It,"
"Yes, sir, separate from the other
papers concerning the International, in
the third compartment" He turned
the big safe door slowly. The third
compartment was empty. "It's gone"
he said.
Meade went to the safe, small one,
and examined it carefully and fruitless-
ly. His letter was not there with the
other papers, where it should have
been if it were in existence. 1t was
not anywhere.
"Father told me he was going to de-
stroy it, but l rather thought he was
keeping it to nave some fun with me
when the bridge was completed" he
said at last.
"Yes, sir, that was his intention. In
fact, / know he did not destroy 1t at
first. He told me to file it with the
plans. He must have destroyed it
later. l haven't looked in this COM
partment for weeks"
'Tll never forget the lie you told to
back me up, Shurtliff. l N see you
loved him as much as l."
mo one will ever know the truth
from me, sir. You saved your fathers
name and fame"
Il think we had better search the
office now. wouldn't have that paper
come to life for the world" said Meade.
Shurtliff was the most orderly Of
men. The care of the old engineers
papers and other arrangements had de-
volved upon him. The search was soon
completed.
II guess he must have destroyed It,"
said the young man, "but to be sure l
will examine his private papers at
home. Good night. You will be going
yourself?"
"In a few minutes, sir"
"Come to me in the morning after
the autopsy and we will arrange for
Tho f,nnrnl . rnid thn ,rnr,ncrn,. man nc