The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1917-04-14
CHAPTER XII.
t,iarshalinq the Evidence.

For all her sweetness and light,
Helen IllingwOrth was lowered with
intense energy and Il powerful will.
What she began she finished. and she
was not deferred from beginning things
by fears of consequences. She was con-
WINGED that Meade had not told the
truth in that famous declaration in his
fathers office. She respected him for
his desire 10 shield his fathers name
and fame even at the expense of his
veracity. albeit she would not have
been a woman if she had not resented.
the fact that in so doing he had SaCri-
feed her happiness Us well as his own.
The question whether Meade, Jr.,
was the more responsible or even re-
SponSible at all was more or less
academic to Colonel IIlingworth. He
would have had nothing further IN do
with either of them if both were living.
and certainly not with the younger sur
vivor He tried tn believe that If il
had come To a final choice the daugh-
ter, in spite of the fact that such is
of life. would not have given up age
and her father for youth and her lover.
Indeed she was too genuinely devoted
to her father 10 do that except as a
last resort.
She cherished the hope first. that
Meade could re-estahliSh himself->he
had too sweeping confidence in his
character and capacity 10 doubt that
and second. that ii could be shown
that he had not been responsible for
the failure of the bridge. She was
more and more convinced that his as
sumption of the blame had been die
tated by the highest of motives and
instead of being fit subject for cen.
sure and condemnation. he merited ad
miratiOn and applause. She hoped with
her woman'S wit To prove this event
ually. perhaps in spite of her lover
and To this end she applied herself as
SiduouSly to solve the problem.
To her, ar her request. came Rod
ney. Now the reporters had dealt yer!
gently with Helen Illingworth. The!
had made no announcement of the en-
gagement or of its breaking ut her ia
TIERS earnest request. There was n,
necessity of bringing her into tn,
bridge story. although it would have
added dramatic touch To their mar
rativeS. Her inclination had been I,
avOw it. But upon reflection she saw
it would have annoyed her father be
yOnd expression. it would not hav,
helped Meade any and it nigh. ham
per her in her work. She realize,
that she had Rodney to thank for thi
omission and after she had time to col
lect herself she asked him To call upol
her. He was very glad to come.
Il sent for you. Mr.. Rodney. on nc
count of Mr.. Bertram Meade" She be
gan. after thanking him for his cour
teSy toward her the day the oIdr
Meade died and thereafter. Il wan
you To help me
IL shall be delighted To do so 70
interested you are in Meade'S rehabili
tatiOn."
MIR. Rodney" returned the woman
flushing little. you know Of cOurS
that We We're engaged. He consider
the engagement broken"
Il suppose 81. That would be liz
him." said Rodney gravely. "lnGce
as a man of honor he could do no less.
You are all alike" said the won
an little bitterly. Your notions ar
supreme You may sacrifice love an
your best friend 50 long as you pr,
serve those notions Of honor intact"
And yet if we weren't HONORABLE
men you wouldn't care for Us at ALL"
"Yes, suppose that's it. Well. d
|; care very much, as you understand
may as well be frank with you. NJ
father. of course. is bitterly antagoni.
tic to Mr.. Meade. He won't even a
low his name to be mentioned"
zone can hardly blame him for tina
!. Miss IllingwOrth. The failure of III
bridge seriously embarrassed the Mar
, let Bridge company, and ii is a greG
| handicap for them to overcome in seel
, ing any further contracts"
But l did not summon you here I
discuss the affairs Of the Martl,
Bridge company" said Helen. ''inge
/ esting though they may be, but TO st