The Cook County news-herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Cook County, Minn.) 1909-current, 1917-08-01
CHAPTER Viii.
For tho Father,

Two ana One-l1lf hours later q
group of anxious reporters, clustered
at the door Of the Uplift building, were
galvanized into life by the arrival Of a
taxicab. Out Of it leaped Bertram
Meade. He was recognized instantly.
"You know about the bridge,
Meade?" asked one, forcing his way
through the crowd, which broke into a
sudden clamor Ct questioning.
Meade nodded. He recognized the
speaker, their hands met. This was a
man Of his own age named Rodney,
| who had been Meade's classmate at
Cambridge, his devoted friend there
| after. Instead Of active practice, he
had chosen to become writer on sci
entif1c subjects and was there as a
representative Of the Engineering
News. There were sympathy and af-
lection in his voice and look, and in
the grasp Of his hand.
"Have you seen my father, Rodney p
Meade asked, quickly moving to the
elevator, followed by all the men.
AT the house they said he was not
there, and here at the office we get
no answer"
| AS Meade turned he saw his fathers
secretary coming slowly through the
entrance. "Shurtliff," he called out.
my father?"
II left him in the Office two hours
ago. He told me to-to-go away and
leave him alone. I have been wan
dering about the Streets"
Outside in the street the newsboys
were shrieking:
"Extryl Extry! All about the col.
lapse Of the International bridge. Two
hundred engineers and workmen lost. y
Shurtliff had one of the papers in
his hand. Meade tore it from him.
"Who Is Responsible?" stared at hin
in big red headlines.
"Gentlemen," said Meade, II car
answer that question"-he held up the
paper so that all might see-"the fault
the blame-is NINE"
"Wen have to see your father
Bert" said Rodney.
He is in this building, we know
and he'll never leave it without run
ming the gantlet Of US ALL" cried an
other amid chorus Of approval.
Meade realized there was no escape
They all piled into the elevator will
him and Shurtliff. They followed hin
up the corridor. He stopped befor'
the door of the Office.
II forbid you to come in," he said
'SThis is my fathers private -"
slave no fear, Bert" said Rodne,
firmly. "We don't intend to break In
We understand how you feel. We will
wait here until you say the word, an
then all we shall want will be a state
ment from your father"
'"Thank you, old man. CoEzc, Shurt
liff," said Meade, turning his key Il
the lock. The two men entered an
carefully closed the door behind then
The door was scarcely shut whe
Helen nlingworth left the elevator an
came rapidly up the corridor. She ha
called at the Office before and had n
need to ask the way. The reporter
gathered around the door moved t
give her passage while they stared q
her with deep if respectful curiosity
pardon me, gentlemen" she begar
''but I am very anxious to see TIL
younger Bertram Meade"
"He has just gone into the Office,
answered Rodney respectfully.
The girl raised her hand to knock.
"A moment, please; perhaps you ha
d better understand the situation. Th
international bridge"
The girl came to a sudden determ
s nation. She could not declare hersel
e too soon or too publicly. :.
q my name is Illingworth," she sait
e and as the hats of the surprised repor
ers came off, she continued, II am tn
d daughter of the president of the Mar
l. let Bridge company, which was cree
ing the International"
: eyes, Miss Illingworth," answere
l. Rodney, "and did you come here
d represent him?"
II am Mr.. Bertram Meade, Jr.'
e promised wife, and am here becaus
- it is the place where I ought to b
a When the man love is in trouble,
y must be with him."