The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1917-01-26

ways more or less OF experimenting N
the design of new thing like this
'YeS," SAID the colonel, "but We
don't want our experiment 10 fail in
this instance
They won't" said the young nan
boldly.
He had long since persuaded himself
that 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 hre az a lance with anybody
on its behalf"
well" began the colonel, I'VE have
every confidence in your father and in
you. don't mind telling you, Meade,
ii need not go any further, that when
this bridge is completed we shall be
prepared to make you personally a
very advantageous offer for future re-
latiOns with the Martlet comp any If
you care to accept it. 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 appe ais TO me very
strongly. ! have been associated with
father latterly. He wants to retire
with the completion of this bridge, and
before open any Office of my own !
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"
well, we shall look to you to be
worthy of it," said the colonel kindly.
His glance vaguely comprehended
his daughter as he spoke. Colonel
lllingworth was very rich man. The
Martlet 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 ia
Colonel lllingworth's great fortune, but
what he had earned, saved and invest.
ed was sutlicient--yes, even for two
And he would inherit much more. Old
Meade had not been the greatest engl
neer of his generation for nothing In,
dependent and self-respecting, young
Meade could not be considered a for.
tune hunter by anybody. He was the
kind of man to whom a decent father
likes to intrust his daughter. Old
Colonel nlingworth 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 IL
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"
Il have heard so much about it.
said the girl, standing by the door
II want to see it when the workmeT
are all off and it is all quiet, in the
moonlight"
''Very well. You had better change
your dress, Helen before you GO" said
the colonel, turning to Abbott and en-
gaging him in conversation on techni
cal matters.
an wait for you at the front dOor
of the car" said the engineer, his heart
beating like a pneumatic riveter anC
sounding almost as loud in his ears
81 won't be 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 light wrap and hasten tC
the car door in the shortest possible
time. Every moment they were apart