The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1917-04-26
CHAPTER vii.
For the Father.

For the Father.
Two and one-half hours later 0
group Of anxious reporters, clustered
at the door Of the Uplift building, were
galvanized into life by the arrival Of 6
taxicab. Out of it leaped Bertran
Meade. He was recognized instantly
"YOu know about the bridge
Meade" asked one, forcing his way
through the crowd, which broke into g
sudden clamor of questioning.
Meade nodded. He recognized the
speaker, their hands met. This was @
man Of his own age named Rodney
who had been Meade's classmate al
Cambridge, his devoted friend there
after. Instead of active practice, he
had chosen to become writer on sci
enti1ic subjects aud was there as @
representative of the Engineering
News. There were sympathy and af
fection in his voice and look, and ir
the grasp of his hand.
"Have you seen my father, Rodney?'
Meade asked, quickly moving to the
elevator, followed by all the men.
"At the house they said he was moi
there, and here at the office we gel
no answer"
AS Meade turned he saw his fathers
secretary coming slowly through the
entrance. "Shurtliff," he called out
''My father?"
II left him In the Office two hours
ago. He told me tO-tO-go away and
leave him alone. I have been wan.
dering about the streets"
Outside in the street the newsboys
were shriekins:
"Extry! Extry! All about the col.
lapse of the International bridge. Two
hundred engineers and workmen lost. -
Shurtliff had one Of the papers in
his hand. Meade tore 1t from him.
"Who Is Responsible" stared at him
in big red headlines.
Gentlemen" said Meade, II can
answer that question"-he held up the
paper so that all might see-"the fault
the blame-is mine"
"Well have to see your father,
Bert" said Rodney.
"He is in this building, we know,
and he'll never leave it without run
ming the gantlet of US ALL" cried an
other amid a chorus of approval.
Meade realized there was no escape.
They all piled into the elevator with
him and Shurtliff. They followed him
up the corridor. He stopped before
| the door of the office.
81 forEid you to come in," he said
"This is my fathers private"
"Have no fear, Bert" said Rodney
firmly. 1--WE don't intend to break in,
We understand how you feel. We will
wait here until you say the word, and
then all we shall want will be a state
ment from your father"
'Thank you, old man. Come, Shurt'
liff," sad Meade, turning his key in
the lock. The two men entered and
carefully closed the door behind them
The door was scarcely shut when
Helen Illingworth left the elevator and
came rapidly up the corridor. She had
called at the office before and had NO
need to ask the way. The reporters
gathered around the door moved to
give her passage while they stared at
her with deep if respectful curiosity,
pardon me, gentlemen" she began
"but I am ver!' anxious to see the
younger Bertranl Meade"
"He has just gone into the Office
answered Rodney respectfully.
The girl raised her hand to knock.
"A moment, please; perhaps you had
better understand the situation. The
International bridge"
The girl came to sudden determl,
nation. She could not declare herself
too soon or too publicly.
"NIy name is Illingworth," she said
and as the hats of the surprised report
ers came off, she continued, II am the
daughter of the president of the Mart
let Bridge company, which was erect
ing the International"
"Yes, Miss Illingworth," answered
Rodney, "and did you come here to
represent him?"
II am Mr.. Bertram Meade, Jr.'s
promised wife, and am here because
it is the place where ought to be
When the man love is in trouble.
must be with hirn
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