Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1917-03-22

! far-of mountains. ST ether-borne was
1t in its perfect proportion that even
dull and stupid ~people-and none OF
these were that-felt its overpowerins
presence. Meade and the girl stopped
too. After one glance at the bridge
h looked Mt him. And that was typ
ical. For the first time he was not nj
the moment aware of, or Immediately
responsive to, her glance. And that,
too, was typical. She noted this with
a pans of jealousy.
"You love the bridge" she said
softly.
He Strengthened up and threw his
head back and looked ut her.
Il thought So" he said simply-"un'
til today, but now"-he stopped again
But now?" she asked.
II have just learned what love really
is and the lesson has not been taught
me by u BRIDGE" he answered directly,
Yet Bertram Meade, the younger, did
truly love the bridge which he had
seen grow from the placing Of the first
shoe-the great steel base on top of
the pier which carries the whole struc-
ture-tO the completion Of the soaring
cantilever reaching out to meet its
companion On the other side-the great
International, which was to be the tie
that bound, with web of steel, two
great countries which lay breast to
breast; already in touch save for the
mighty river that flowed between them.
By no means would Meade. the
younger, have been charged with the
great responsibilities of the bridge had
it not been for his exhaustive prepara-
ton and wide experience. To a thor
ough technical training at Harvard. in
the Lawrence Scientific school, had
been added a substantial record of
achievement. A fine bridge which he
had erected in faraway Burma, trium-
phantly achieving the design despite
all sorts of difficulties, had attracted
the attention of old Colonel Hing
worth, the president of the Martlet
Bridge company.
He had kept the young man under
his eye for a long time. When he CON-
missioned his father, Bertram Meade,
ST., to prepare the plans for the great
International, the most-sought-for and
famous Of bridges. he had noted with
satisfaction that the older man, who
stood first among bridge engineers on
the continent, had associated with him
self his on. Meade, Jr., had recently
returned from South America, where
he had again shown his mettle. The
two worked together in the preparation
of the designs for what was to be the
crown and triumph of the older mans
life. the most %stupendous Of all the
cantilever bridges In the world.
The great engineer had n high idea
of his only sons ability. He was will
ing to proclaim it, to maintain it, and
defend it against all comers except
himself. When the two Wills clashed,
he recognized but one way, his own.
The relations between the two were
lovely but not ideal. There was lead
ership not partnership, direction rather
than cooperation. The knowledge and
experience Of the boy-for so he loved
to call him-where of course nothing
compared to those of his father. When,
in discussing moot points. the younger
man had been unconvinced by the cal
culations Of the elder, he had been.
laughed to scorn in a g0od-natured
way. His carefully set forth objec-
tons, even in serious matters, had been
generally, and by trium-
plant calculations Of his own the ia
Their had REINFORCED himself in his con-
illusions; and the more strongly be-
cause of the opposition.
Young Meade's position was rather
He had no direct SUPER
vision of the construction. He was
there as resident engineer representing
his father. He had welcomed the posi-
ton because 1t gave him an oppOrtu-
nifty to see from the very beginning the
erection of what was to be the great
est c%antilever bridge the feet Of the
world had eve trod upon, the wheels
Of the world had ever rolled across.
He had followed with the utmost
care, constantly reporting the prog
ress to his father, every step taken
under the superintendent Of Abbott,
q nan of great practical ability as an
erector, but of much less capacity as
a scientific designer or office engineer.
Meade had watched its daily growth
with the closest attention. Like every
other man in similar case, the work
had got into his blood. 1t had become
part Of his life. He loved the bridge;
yet more he loved Helen Ilingworth.