The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1917-04-26
CHAPTER TX.
The Unaccepted Remuneration.

The doctor and the OrncerS or the
law entered the outer office. In spite
of the brave words that had been
spoken by the woman, the man could
only see long parting and an uncer-
tain future. He realized it the more
when old Colonel Illingworth entered
the room In the wake Of the others.
After he had recovered himself he had
hurried to the station in time to catch
the next train and had come to New
York, realizing at once where his
daughter must have gone.
my father is dead" said Meade as
the doctor and the officers of the law
examined the body Of the old man.
The son had eyes for no one but the
old colonel. "The failure Of the bridge
has broken his heart; my failure, I'd
better say"
II understand" said Illingworth. "He
is fortunate. would rather have died
than have seen. any son Of mine
forced to confess criminal incompe-
tency like yours"
Father" said the girl with a reso-
luton and firmness singularly like his
own. II can't hear you speak this way,
and will not"
do you 60 with him or do you nOt?"
thundered the colonel.
1t was Meade who answered for her.
"She goes with you. 1 love her and
she loves me, but I won't drag her
down in my ruin"
II am glad to see honor and decency
are in you STILL" said the colonel, "even
if you are incompetent"
"If you say another word to him ]
will never 60 with you as long as ]
live" flashed out Helen Illingworth.
II deserve all that he can say. Your
duty is with him. Good-by," said
Meade.
"And I shall see you again"
"Of course. Now you must go with
your father"
Helen nlingworth turned to the colo
mel.
II shall go with you because he bids
me, not DecauSe-
"Whatever the reason" said the old
soldier, "you CO." He paused a mo-
ment, looking from the dead man to
the living one. Meade" he exclaimed
at last, II am sorry for your father, !
am sorry for you. Good-by, and ]
never want to see you or hear of you
again. Come, Helen"
The> woman stretched out her hand
toward her lover as her father took
her by the arm. Meade looked at her q
moment and then turned away delib-
erately as If to mark the final sever
ance.
With bent head and beating heart,
she followed her father out Of the
room. There he had to fight off the
reporters. He denied that his daugh-
ter was going to marry young Meade.
She strove to speak and he Strove to
force her to be quiet. In the end she
had her way.
"At Mr.. Meade's own request" she
said finally, "our engagement has been
broken off. Personally / consider my
self as much bound as ever, but in
Difference to his wishes and to my ia
TIERS"
"Have you said enough?" roared the
colonel, losing oil control of himself at
last. "No, I will not be questioned or
interrupted another minute. Come"
He almost dragged the girl from the
room.
Within the private office the ply
sician said that everything pointed to n
heart lesion, but only 0n autopsy would
absolutely determine it. Meanwhile the
law would have to take charge of the
body temporarily. 1t was late ut night
before Bertram Meade and old Shurt-
lIff were left alone. Carefully seeing
that no one was present in the suite
Of Offices MeeAe turned to ShurtuR.