The Dermott news., 1917-07-12

l anybodyf How Tar away are they? Twenty niles There's no telephone? 1 Now. listen. Johnson, this is what you | must do. Get a car the strongest and fastest you can rent and the boldest 1 chauffeur. and q couple of men on 1 horses too, and send up to that place wherever they are, and tell Colonel 1 uiineworth that he must telephone me l and come to his office at once. There are telegrams there that mean life or death and the safety of the bridge. You understand? Good. He says he'll do it. father We've done all we can" he added He hung up the re- ceiver, 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 I get in touch with those people. l mean, want to know where l can reach you instantly
 'I'il stay right here, my boy. Go, and God bless you"
 
 there were unexpected delays and the clock on the tower above the big struc- turai shop was striking five when rickety station wagon, drawn by an ex- hapSted horse, which had been driven unsparngly, drew up before the office door. Flinging the money at the driver. Mdade sprang down from his seat and dashed up the steps. He threw open thi door Fnd confronted Johnson.
 fDid you get him?" he cried.
 f'He isn't here yet. 1 sent m auto- mobile and two men on horseback atd-"
 l The next minute the faint note of sIn automobile horn sounded far down the valley.
 T hope to God that Is he cried the young engineer, running to the win {low,
 That's the car l sent" said John son. peering over his shoulder. And there are people in ii. It's coming this Way"
 Johnson" said Meade you have acted we'll in this crisis and I will see that the Bridge company remembers it.''
 Would you mind telling me what the matter k. Mir. Meade7"
 Matter, The International" "Bert." exclaimed joyous voice, as Helen Illingworth, 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 to the window out of which he stared with his back ostentatiously turned to- ward them. After quick glance at the other man. Meade swept the girl to his heart and held her there a mo- ment. He did not kiss her before he !. released her. The woman's passionate look at him was caress enough and his own adoring glance fairly enveloped her with emotion. Johnson coughed and turned as the two separated. It was the woman who recovered her poise quicker.
 What were you saying about our bridge when I came Into the room?' | the slight but unmistakable emphasis in the pronoun-our bridge, indeed-"I was lying down this afternoon, but when I awakened my maid told me about your urgent calls for father" she ran on, realizing that some trouble portended and seeking to help her lover by giving him time. "l knew something must be wrong. so l came . here. 1 didn't expect to see you. Oh. what Is it?" she broke off, suddenly , realizing from the mental strain in her . lovers face, which the sudden sight of her had caused him to conceal for Il r moment. that something terribly seri- ous had happened. and she turned a .. little pale herself as she asked the question. not dreaming what the an, Swer would be.
 Helen" said the young man, ,.a - ping toward her and taking her .np < again, we're in awful trouble. "f" ' "If 1t is any trouble I cay siare . z Bert" said the girl. flashing 3t him { look which set his pulses boutding-a Il least she was to be depended on 2 .T know [ can" he exc,aln, he"
 fully. 'ea srat "Now tell me"
 .The International bridge r fall" about , The color came to her f, l Was that au, came into ace agai | That wos serious enough. her min l hut if w,ouId not matter f of cours r,o Helen realized the nv n the lon | the terrihIe ser,ousness of ful gravit, | t,on of course The bridre he situ, to her even if in quite nt muc It was there he h" uhlereht Wa,