The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1917-01-26

extending arms of steel. The first sight
of ii always gave the beholder little
shock. II was so huge. so massive, 50
grandly majestic, and withal so airy.
seen against the impressive background
of deep gorge and palisaded wall and
far-off mountains. So ether-borne was
ii in its perfect proportion that even
dull and stupid people-and none Of
these were that-felt its overpowering
presence. Meade and the girl stopped
too. After one glance at the bridge,
she looked at him. And that was typ
ical. For the first time he was not at
the moment aware Of or Immediately
responsive to, her glance. And that,
too, was typical. She noted this with
a pang Of jealousy.
"You love the bridge" she said
softly.
He Strengthened up and threw his
head back and looked at her.
81 thought So" he said simply-'un-
til today, but now"-he stopped again,
"But now?" she asked.
Il have just learned what love really
is and the lesson has not been taught
me by bridge" he answered directly
Yet Bertram Meade, the younger, did
truly love the bridge which he had
seen grow from the placing Of the first
shOe-the great steel base on top Of
the pier which carries the whole struc
ture-t0 the completion of the soaring
cantilever reaching out to meet its
companion on the other side-the great
Intern atiOnal, which was to be the tis
that bound, with web of steel, two
great countries which lay breast Il
breast; already In touch save for the
mighty river that flowed between them
BY no means would Meade, tbs
younger, have been charged with tbs
great responsibilities of the bridge hai
it not been for his exhaustive prepare
ton and wide experience. To thor
ough technical training at Harvard, II
the Lawrence Scientific school, ha(
been added substantial record Of
achievement. A fine bridge which h.
had erected in PARKWAY Burma, trium
phantly achieving the design despitV
all sorts of difficulties, had attractet
the attention of old Colonel Hing
worth, the president of the Martle
Bridge company.
He had kept the young man unde
his eye for long time. When he com
missioned his father Bertram Meade
ST., to prepare the plans for the grea
International, the most-sought-f0r ant
famous of bridges, he had noted witt
satisfaction that the older man, VIII
stood first among bridge engineers o.
the continent, had associated with him
self his son. Meade, Jr., had recentl
returned from South America, wher
he had again shown his mettle. Tn
two worked together in the preparation
of the designs for what was to be th
crown and triumph of the older mar
life, the most stupendous Of all q
cantilever bridges In the world.
The great engineer had high ide
Of his only sons ability. He was viii
ing to proclaim it, to maintain II, an
defend 1t against ell corners exccg
himself. When the two wills FLASHED
he recognized but one way, his owl
The relations between the two wer
lovely but not ideal. There was lead
ership not partnership, direction rathe
than cooperation. The knowledge an
experience of the boy--fOr so he love
to call \him-were of course nothln
compared to those of his father. Wher
in discussing moot points, the younge
man had been unconvinced by the ca
culations of the elder, he had bee
laughed to scorn in a good-nature
way. His carefully set forth objeC
tons, even in serious matters, had bee
overborne generally, and by triun
! phi ant calculations of his own the fl
Their had REINFORCED himself in his cor
illusions; and the more strongly bC
cause of the opposition.
Young Meade's position was rattle
anomalous. He had no direct supel
vision of the construction. He wa
there as resident engineer representa-
his father. He had welcomed the pos
ton because it gave him an oppOrtU
nifty to see from the very beginning tn
erection of VIII at was to be the great
est cantilever bridge the feet of tn
world had ever trod upon, the wheel
of the world had ever rolled acros:
He had followed with the utmos
care, constantly reporting the prog
.ress to his father, every step take
under the superintendent of Abbot
man of great practical ability as a
erector, but of much less capacity a