The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1917-03-31

ilt WIS ItCOSllLtu v.
you know about the bridge,
Meade?" asked one, forcing his way
through the crowd, which broke into
sudden clamOr of questioning.
Meade nodded. He recognized the
speaker, their hands met. This was
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
entific 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"
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?"
81 left him in the office two hours
ago. He told me to-to-go away and
leave him alone. / have been wan
dering about the streets"
Outside in the street the newsboys
were shrieking:
"Extry! Extry! All about the col
lapse of the International bridge. Two
hundred engineers and workmen lost"
Shurtliff had one Of the papers in
his hand. Meade tore 1t from him.
"Who Is Responsible" stared at him
In big red headlines.
Gentlemen" said Meade, 81 can
answer that question"-he held up the
paper so that all might see-"the fault
the blame-is mine"
well have to see your father,
Bert" said Rodney.
He is in this building, we know,
and he'll never leave 1t 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 with
him and Shurtliff. They followed him
up the corridor. He stopped before
the door of the office.
Il forbid you to come in," he said.
This is my fathers private"
Have no fear, Bert" said Rodney
firmly. ave don't intend to break In.
We understand how you feel. We will
wait here until you say the word, and
then all we shall want will be state
ment from your father"
Thank you, old man. Come, Shurt-
lift" said Meade, turning his key In
the lock. The two men entered and
carefully closed the door behind them.
The door was scarcely shut when
Helen Illingworth left the elevator and
came rapidly up the corridor. She had
called at the Office before and had no
need to ask the way. The reporters
gathered around the door moved to
give her passage while they stared at
her with deep II respectful curiosity.
Pardon me, gentlemen" she began,
''but l am very anxious to see the
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 had
better understand the situation. The
International bridge"
The girl came to a sudden determi-
nation. She could not declare herself
too soon or too publicly.
my name is Illingworth," she said,
and as the hats of the surprised report
ers came off, she continued, II am the
daughter Of the president Of the Mart
let Bridge company, which was erect
ing the International"
Yes, Miss Illingworth," answered
Rodney, land did you come here to
represent himT
II am Mr.. Bertram Meade, Jr.'s,
promised wife, and l am here because
it is the place where 1 ought to be.
When the man 1 love is In trouble, ]
must be with him."
She raised her hand again, but Rod
ney was too quick for her. He knocked
lightly on the door, and then struck
it heavily several times. The sound
rang hollowly through the corridor, as
it always does when the door of an
empty room is beaten upon. There
was no answer for q moment.
"oh, l must get in," said the wom-
an.
Rodney knocked again. and this time
tle door was opened. Shurtliff stood
IN the way. He had been white and
shaken before, but now so anguished
ana shocked was his appearance that
everybody stared. Shurtliff moistened
his lips ard tried to speak. He could
not utter word, but he did manage
to point toward the private office
Perhaps l would better 90 first "
SAID Rodney. as the secretary stepped
back and gave them passage.
Helen Illingworth followed and tban
the rest. Young Meade was standing
erect by his fathers chair. The great
bulk of the old engineer was sIoncbad
down, his body bent over, his head
on the desk. face downward. One
great arm, his left, extended. shot
straight across the desk. His fist
was clenched, his right arm hung linn
by his side. He was still.