The Arvada enterprise., 1917-05-17
CHAPTER Vlli,
For the Father,

I"o anu ohe-HalI nOurS later Il
group of anxious reporters, clustered
at the door Of the UplIft building, were
galvanized into life by the arrival Of "A
taXicnb. out Of 1t lcapcd Bertram
Meade. He was recognized instantly.
"Iou know about the bridge.
Meadc?" asked one. forcing his way
through the crowd which broke into n
sudden clamor Of questioning.
Mende nodded. He recognized the
speaker. their hands met. This wns n
man OF his own age named Rodney.
who had been Meadc's clnssmate at
Cambridge, his devoted friend there
after. Instead of active practice, he
had chosen to become writer on sci
cntliic subjects and was there us a
representative of the Engineering
News. There were sympathy and af-
fection in his voice and look, and in
the grasp OF his hand
Have you seen my father, Rodney?"
Meade asked. quickly moving to the
elevator. followed by all the men.
AT the house they said he was not
there. and here ut the office we get
NO uflSNtT.
As Meade turned he saw his fathers
| secretary coming slowly through the
entrance. "ShurtliT." he called out.
my fnthcr?"
Il left him in the Office two hours
ngo. He told me to-to-go away and
leave him alone. have been wan
dering about the streets"
were shrIckIng:
"EStry ENtry, All about the col
lnpsc OF the International bridge. Two
hundred engineers and workmcn lost"
Shurtllr had on" of tn. papers In
his hand. Mnndr tore II from him.
"Who Il RcsponsIhlc7" stared at him
In big red headlines.
Gentlemen" said Meade, 81 cnn
answer that qucstlon"-h. held up the
parer 50 that NIL might see-"thc fault
til" blame-!S mine"
We'll have to see your father
Bert" said Rodney.
II" is In this building, ". know.
and he'll never leave 1t without run
ming the gantlct OF US ALL" cried AN
''''' "'"'' " ''''i w VI 'NNl
M"ndc realized th-r" was no escape.
They all piled Int" the elevator with
him and ShIrtlir. They followed him
up tn" corridor. lie stopped bcfor.
the door Of the office.
Il forbid You to come in." he said.
This Is my fathers private"
"ilnv. no fear. Bert" said Rodney
firmly. I'VE don't Intend to break ln
w" understand how YOU feel. "" will
wait here until you say the word. and
then all we shah want will be II state
m"nt from your father"
THINK you, old man. Come. Shurt-
I'M" said Meade. turning his key In
the lock. Tn" two men entered and
carefully closed III" door behind them.
The door was scarcely shut when
Helen llIugwurih lcft the elevator and
cum" rapidly up the corridor. she hnd
called NJ the office before nnd had no
need to ask ia" way. The reporters
gathered nruuud the door moved to
give her passage while they stared nt
her with deep II respectful curiosity.
Pardon me- gentlemen" she began.
] 'Nf Nll WY NNNl'NN " N'' NH'
! younger Ecr'rm Mrudc"
"llc has just gun" into the Office"
answered Rodney respectfully.
The girl raised her hand TO knock,
"a moment pl"u>r; perhaps you had
better understand the situation. The
/ international bridge"
The girl came TO n sudden dctcrml.
/ nntion. She could not declare herself
| too soon or too publicly.
"My nam" * ilNngworth." She said,
and ~ the hats Of Ia" surprised report.
crs came on she continued II nm the
| daughter of the president Of the Mart.
let Bridge company, which was erect.
| Ing the International"
"Ycs, Miss illIneworth." answered
Rodney, "und did you come here to
represent hlm7"
Il mn Mr.. BcrtrHm Mcadc. Jr.'s.
promised wife. and nm here because
It Is the place where ought to be.
When the mnn love Is In trouble, !
must be- with him"