The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1920-10-15
The Roads End
BY OTILLiA F. PFEIFFER

Archibald Wayne made a gesture of
dismissal, final and severe His son
Virgil, responded with look of des-
peration rather than contriteness.
"You won't help me out-for the
last time? I'm through with the folly,
If you will give me new start" he
said.
"YOu have the effrontery to ask that
after all l have done for you, wasteful.
ly, fruitlessly. disown you. More than
that, not penny more of my hard
earned money will you ever get"
The young man shrugged his Shout
ders and tried to assume an air of
reckless indifference. He wheeled face
about and started down the road, in
deed, as If that was the menacing
thoroughfare itself which his father
had indicated.
virgil Wayne, young, handsome, ath-
letic, with good home and favorable
prospects had he not imperiled and
sacrificed them, had something serious
to think about. Graduating as an en-.
gineer he had come home from tech.
meal college to enjoy brief rest, as
he termed it. His father was away
for his health. He had left with his
lawyer the power to provide what mon.
ey Virgil needed, and as the latter had
left college with high distinction he
was quite proud of him. Never was
father more disappointed and shock
ed than Mr.. Wayne when, six months
later, he returned to learn that his
sons name had become by word In
the town. Virgil had joined its Wild
est set of young men. He had thought
OF nothing but prolllgacy and pleasure
and had run into debt for over two
thousand dollars.
Thrice since then had Mr.. Wayne
settled up his sons newly acquired
debts. At last the limit was reached.
Virgil had gone with some of his chos-
EN- friends to horse race at q dis
lance. He had been induced to risk q
large amount of collections he had
made for his father, and this last act
of unfaithfulness had led to his present
situation
Virgil Wayne started down the road
vowing that he was done with the
past and his evil associates forever.
He had no idea as to his destination.
Moodly, sturdily he tramped on.
About the middle of the afternoon he
entered a restaurant in little rail-
road town and his attention was at.
tracted to two young men at the next
table, one Of whom was waving a tele-
gram in riotously excited and de-
lighted manner.
THE next train back for both of
u.s." he exclaimed. you see what Il
says. Drop the Dayton work. We
have closed the big tunnel contract and
need you here"
Eyes, but what will this Robert Day.
ton think Of your not coming Whar-
TONI" propounded the other.
what he pleases. Think I'll vege-
tate at hundred month way Off
here. while double and treble promises
on the tunnel contract"
Virgil rested awhile and resumed his
tramp. Just before dusk he came to
a halt where the road was blocked.
A post bore the sign: "No thorough |
Road" He took a side
to face the same sign half |
4 mile further on.
"Well, 1t seems that have come to |
he end of the road" he soliloquized.
At little distance was q solitary |
house. 1t set back among q grove Of |
rees and he made his way to its porch. |
4 young girl sat there at table, a |
lumber of blank and written sheets |
spread out before her.
"Tm wondering where I am" spoke
Virgil. 81 seem to be In labyrinth,
With no way out"
"Oh, you mean the blocked rOads?"
inquired the young lady. "My father
WINS the land for miles beyond here
md has purpose in segregating 1t.
You are not the engineer, are you,
whom he was expecting?"
mo, I am not" replied Virgil, "but
engineering is my profession" and
hen as he glanced at the sheet near
t hand he observed that the girl had
zen copying surveying transcripts and
nap details. A bluff, hearty-looking
nan appeared from the house. He
ad overheard Virgil's declaration and
t seemed to interest him. Abruptly he
uestioned:
"Are you Mr. Wharton?" and as Vir-
II dissented he also referred to the
nan Of that name he had seen at the
estaurant and rected the incident
"And you're in the same line?" said
robert Dayton. "a queer coincidence.
faybe we can turn 1t to account. 1
rant new survey Of some ten thou
and acres of land I own and some
work besides. You see
old the key here to supply electric
tilities for fifty-mile district. I'm
filling to pay well for expert counsel
nd help to put it in shape"
Virgil Wayne accepted the PROPOSE
ion rendered him.
He was so fascinated with the prof.
ct of the old man, so encouraged in
l. - l.. IL