Gilpin observer., 1920-08-12
The Roads End
By oTlLLlA F. PfElFFER

Observation-Disclosures
Copyright. 1890. Western Newspaper Union.)
''Go your road, and it's downward
path, and you will soon reach its end"
Archibald Wayne made gesture Of
dismissal, final and severe. His son
Virgil. responded with a 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 have done for you, wasteful-
that, not a penny more of my hard
earned money will you ever get"
The young man shrugged his shoul-
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 a 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 a tech
nical 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 it's wild
est set of young men. He had thought
of nothing but prOfligacy and pleasure
and had run into debt for over two
thousand dollars.
Thrice since then had Mr.. Wayne J
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 dis
tance. He had been induced to risk
large amount of collections ne 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.
Moodily, sturdily he tramped on.
About the middle of the afternoon he
entered 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 tele-
gram in rio<ously excited and de-
lighted manner.
"The next train back for both of
u.s." he exclaimed. you see what 1t
says Drop the Dayton work. We
have closed the big tunnel contract and
need you here"
"Yes. but what will this Robert Day
ton think Of your not coming, Whar-
ton?" 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
halt where the road was blocked.
A post bore the sign: "No thorough
fare-Private Road" He took side
highway to face the same sign half
mile further on.
well, it seems that I have come to
the end of the road" he soliloquiZed.
At little distance was solitary
| house. It set back among a grove of
trees and he made his way to its porch.
A young girl sat there at a table, Il
number of blank and written sheets
spread out before her.
"I'm wondering where I am" spoke
| Virgil. II seem to be In labyrinth,
with no way out"
"Oh, you mean the blocked roads?"
inquired the young lady. my father
owns the land for miles beyond here
and has purpose in segregating it.
You are not the engineer, are you,
whom he was expectinE?'
mo, I am not" replied Virgil, "but
engineering is my profession" and
then rs he glanced at the sheet near
at hand he observed that the girl had
been copying surveying transcripts and
map details. A bluff. hearty-looking
man appeared from the house. He
had overheard virgil's declaration and
1t seemed to interest him. Abruptly he
questioned:
"Are you Mr.. Wharton" and as vir-
gil dissented he also referred to the
man of that name he had seen Mt the
restaurant and recited the incident.
"And you're In the same line?" said
Robert Dayton. "a queer coincidence.
Maybe we can turn 1t to account. I
want new survey Of some ten thou
sand acres of land l own and some
engineering work besides. You see, I
hold the key here to supply electric
| nfilittno for n Aftv-v,t1a trt