Tombstone epitaph., 1917-06-03

Colonel Illingworth opened the gate, lifted the platform, and descended the steps.
 Here am." he said as he stopped by the two.
 His daughter took him by the arm and they walked down the platform so as to be out of any possible hearing from the car.
 "Now." she said to Meade. who fol- lowed her.
 His heart was beating almost as rap Idly as it had on the bridge, and for exactly the same reason-fea ar of los ing her. He tried to speak.
 Well. young man?' said Illlng- worth, fiicking the ashes from his cigar and wishing to get 1t over. you said you had something to say to me"
 Its a very hard thing to say, sir" He looked helplessly at the girl, but she was speechless. IL was his task. If she were not worth asking for, she was not worth having. she might have said. "Well. sir" he began desperate ly, "I love your daughter, Helen. want to marry her"
 "Umph," said the colonel, "I SUD- posed as much. How long have you and Helen known each other:"
 lover a year, sir, but I loved her from the very moment I saw her. did not dare hope, I didn't dream, never imagined, and strange as it may seem, sir. she-seems tO love me"
 "Of course do." said Helen, realiz' ing that 1t was now high time for her to come to the rescue of her lover and so would any other woman"
 You know, of course, that while am not rich, am not poor, and l can support my wife in every comfort, sir, urged the man. greatly relieved by the woman's prompt avowal.
 "She1l need few luxuries besides I'm thinking"
 "Yes, of course. sir, I'll see that she gets them. This bridge Is going to make us all famous, and I shall have my fathers influence and"
 When the bridge Is finished" said the colonel decislvely, 'come to me and you shall have my daughter"
 "Oh. father, the bridge won't be fin ished for" began the girl.
 "I understand, sir" answered the en, gineer, too happy at her fathers con- sent to make any difficulties over any reasonable conditions he might impose "Yes, Helen, it's all right; your father Is right. This jobs got to be done be. fore T."
 .Oh. don't say before you tackle an other" protested the girl, half disap pointed. and yet seeing the reasonable ness of both men, while the colonel laughed grlmly.
 That's about the size of It," said the old man, mo matter how you put it. One thing at a time. Meade, don't know anybody on earth I would rather have for my son-in-law than Q clean honest. able American with a record like yours. A man who can look me In the eye and grasp me by the hand like this"
 He put out his hand as he spoke Meade's own palm met 1t and the two men shook hands internationally but firmly, after the manner of the self restrained. practical American, who is always fearful of a scene and does not wear his heart upon his sleeve. The l colonel threw away his cigar, slipped his arm around his daughters waist kissed her softly on the forehead.
 "I hate to lose you. Helen. I hate tC give you up to anyone. We have been very happy together since your mother died, leaving you little girl to me | but It had tO come, I suppose, and per haps I shall be glad in the end. Good night, Meade. You will be coming ir I presently. Helenf" l He turned and walked away as they answered him. They watched him e slowly with pended head. They watched him climb. rather heavily. uI ! the steps to the car-that he was al old man seemed rather suddenly borne | in upon them. He stood for moment | in the light, smiling. remembering, and then turned and marched within tho car. He switched the light out as ht passed down the corridor.
 Wasn't he spiendidf" said Helen when she had time to breathe and free dom to speak.
 "One of the finest old men on earth He and father would make a great | team"
 T was interested in the bridge, be | fore" said the woman, but think how l shall watch it now. You must write me every day and tell me every incl that you have gained" Trust me, I'll measure 1t in milli meters"
 And now. sweet love. good night. she whispered. And she laughed as she looked back at him through the door.
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