Tombstone epitaph., 1917-06-10

anybodyf How far away are theyf Twenty miles! There's no telephone? Now, listen. Johnson. this Is what you must do. Get a car. the strongest and fastest you can rent and the bOldest chauffeur. and a couple of men on horses too. and send up to that place wherever they are. and tell Colonel | Nlingworth that he must telephone me and come to his office at once. There are telegrams there that mean life or death and the safety of the bridge. You understandf Good. He says he'll do 1t. father. We've done all we can," he added. He hung up the re celver, sprang to his feet, looked at his watch. "It's so important that I'll go down there myself. l can catch the two o'clock train. and that will get me there in two hours. You stay quietly here in the office and wait until l get in touch with those people. ! mean. want to know where 1 can reach you instantly"
 'I'Il stay right here, my boy. Go. and God bless you"
 As usual when in a great hurry there were unexpected delays and the clock on the tower above the big struc- tural shop was striking five when a rickety station wagon. drawn by an ex- hausted horse, which had been driven unsparingly, drew up before the office door, F1inging the money at the driver. Meade sprang down from his seat and dashed up the steps. He threw open the door Gnd confronted Johnson.
 Did you get hlm?" he cried.
 "He isn't here yet. I sent an auto mobile and two men on horseback and"
 The next minute the faint note of an automobile horn sounded far down the valley.
 "I hope to God that Is he," cried the young engineer, running to the win dow.
 That's the car sent" said John son, peering over his shoulder. And there are people In 1t. It's coming this way"
 Johnson" said Meade, you have acted well h this crisis and I will see that the Bridge company remembers it."
 Would you mind telling me what the matter Is. Mir. Meade?"
 Matter! The International-"
 Bert" exclaimed joyous voice. as Helen IlIingworth. smiling in delighted surprise. stepped through the open door and stood expectant with out stretched hands.
 Young Johnson was as discreet as he was prompt and ready. He walked tc the window out of which he stared with his back ostentatiously turned to ward them. After a quick glance al the other man. Meade swept the girl to his heart and held her there a mo ment. He did not kiss her before he look at him was caress enough and hi: own adoring glance fairly enveloped her with emotion. Johnson coughed and turned as the two separated. Il was the woman who recovered hel poise quicker.
 "What were you saying about oul , bridge when I came into the room? she began, and Meade fully understood the slight but unmistakable emphasi: in the pronOun-our bridge, indeed-'l was lying down this afternoon, bu when I awakened my maid told IT: , about your urgent calls for father. she ran on, realizing that some trouble portended and seeking to help hel
 lover by giving him time. T knew something must be wrong. so I cam' here. I didn't expect to see you. Oh , what Is it?' she broke of, suddenl! , realizing from the mental strain in he . lovers face, which the sudden sight O.
 her had caused him to conceal for , . moment, that something terribly seri ous had happened. and she turned { little pale herself as she asked thu
 question. not dreaming what the an swer would be.
 Helen" said the young man, step
 ping toward her and taking her hand
 again, "we're in awful trouble" "If it is any trouble I can share !. Bert" said the girl. flashing at him ; look which set his pulses bounding-a least she was to be depended on
 you know you can count on me" 'I know I can," he exclaimed grate
 fully.
 5 "Now tell me-"
 "The International bridge is about t + fall"
 |, The color came to her face again
 Was that all7 came into her mind
 That was serious enough. of course
 but 1t would not matter in the lon run. Helen realized the awful gravity
 the terrible seriousness, Of the situa ton of coc-se. The bridge meant mucl l to her even if in quite a different way | IL .u-a a, 4hara ho had Sa god har from fh