The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1917-08-03
CHAPTER XII.
Marshaling the Evidence.

For all her sweetness and light,
Helen Illingworth was lowered with
intense energy and a 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 to shield his fathers name
and fame even at the expense Of his
veracity, albeit she would not have
been woman If she had not resented
the fact that in so doing he had sacri-
feed her happiness as 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 Illingworth. He
would have had nothing further to do
with either of them If both were living,
and certainly not with the younger sur
vivor. He tried to believe that If 1t
had come to q final choice the daugh-
ter, in spite of the fact that such is
the habit Of women in the experience
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 to do that except as a
last resort.
She cherished the hope first, that
Meade could re-establish himself-she
had too sweeping confidence in his
character and capacity to 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 a 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, at her request, came Rod
ney. Now the reporters had dealt very
gently with Helen nlingworth. They
had made no announcement Of the en-
gagement or Of it's breaking at her IA
theirs earnest request. There was no
necessity Of bringing her into the
bridge story, although it would have
added dramatic touch 70 their mar
ratives. Her inclination lad been to
avow it. But upon reflection she saw
it would have annoyed fef iathss be-
yond expression, it would not have
helped Meade any and it might ham,
per her in her work. She realized
that she had Rodney to thank for this
omission and after she had time to col
lect herself she asked him to call upon
her. He was very glad to come.
81 sent for you. Mr.. Rodney, on &C
count Of Mr.. Bertram Meade" she be-
gan, after thanking him for his 'cour-
tesy toward her the day the older
Meade died and thereafter. 81 want
you to help me-"
II shall be delighted to do so for
your own sake. know how deeply
interested you are in Meade's rehabili-
tation.''
"Mr. Rodney" returned the woman,
flushing little, "you know of course
that we were engaged. He considers
the engagement broken"
81 suppose so. That would be like
him." said Rodney gravely. Indeed
as man of honor he could do no less"
"You are all alike" said the wom-
an little bitterly. "Your notions are
supreme. You may sacrifice love and
your best friend so long as you spre-
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, I do
care very much, as you understand. I
may as well be frank with you. My
father, of course, is bitterly antagonis-
tic to Mr.. Meade. He won't even al.
low his name to be mentioned"
"One can hardly blame him for that.
Miss nlingworth. The failure of the
bridge seriously embarrassed the Mart
let Bridge company, and it is a great
handicap for them to overcome in seek
ing any further contracts"
"But I did not summon .oy here to
discuss the affairs of the Martlet
Bridge company" said Helen, "inter-
esting though they may be, but to see