The Benson signal., 1917-04-28

anybody. How far away are they?
Twenty miles There's no telephone?
Now, listen, johnson, this is what you
must do. Get 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
Illingworth that he must telephone me
and come to his Office at once. There
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. I 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. mean, I
want to know where can reach you
instantly"
"I'll stay right here, my boy. Go,
and God bless you."
AS usual when in 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. Flinging the money at the driver,
Meade sprang down from his seat and
dashed up the steps. He threw open
the door end confronted Johnson.
did you get him?" he cried.
"He isn't here yet. 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.
"Thats the car I sent" said John
son, peering over his shoulder. "And
there are people in it. It's coming this
way"
Johnson" said Meade, "you have
acted well in this crisis and will see
that the Bridge company remembers
it,"
"Would you mind telling me what
the matter is, Mr.. Meade?"
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 a quick glance at
the other man, Meade swept the girl
to his heart and held her there 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. 1t
was Tic WOLudu VIII ASCONOACu AOA
poiSe quicker.
"What were you saying about our
bridge when I came into the room?"
she began, and Meade fully understood
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. II knew
something must be wrong, so I came
here. 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
moment, that something terribly seri-
Gus had happened, and she turned
little pale herself as she asked the
question, not dreaming what the an
swer would be.
'Helen," said the young man, STEP
ping toward her and taking her hands
again, "we're in awful trouble"
eff it is any trouble I can share,
Bert" said the girl, flashing at him a
look which set his pulses bounding-at
least she was to be depended on
"you know you can count on me-"
81 know I can," he exclaimed CRATE
fully.
"NOw tell me-"
'The International bridge is about to
fall"
The color came to her face again.
Was that all? came into her mind.
That was serious enough, Of course,
but it would not matter in the long
run. Helen realized the awful gravity,
| the terrible seriousness, Of the situa-
| ton of course. The bridge meant much