The Taney County republican. (Forsyth, Mo.) 1895-1992, 1920-07-01
The Roads End
By OTILLIA r. PFEIFFER

NhHllt ItSHullutu VIII II lDuN vi AltS-
pcration rather than cOmtritcncsS.
You won't help me Out--for the
last timer I'm through with the folly,
If you will give me q new start" he
said.
you have the effrontery to ask that
after all ! have done for you, wasteful-
ly, fruitlesSly. disOwn YOU. More than
that, not penny more of my hard
earned money will you ever GET
Tie young man shrugged his shOul-
dcrs 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
thOrOuEhfare 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-.
gInSer he had come home from tech
nIcal college to enjoy brief rest, as
he termed II. His father was away
for his health. He had left with his
lawyer the power to provide what mot-
ey Virgil needed, and as the latter had
left college with high distinction he
was quite proud Of him. Never was
d father more disappointed and shock
ed than Mr., Wayne when, six months
loN l.. h,g
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 hut proiirncy 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 10 horse race at dis
tance. He had been induced to risk
large amount Of collections he had
made for his father, and this last act
Of unfaithfuness 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 trampcd on.
About the middle Of the afternoon he
entered a restaurant in little rail-
road town and his attention was nt'
tracted to two young men at the next
table, one Of whom was waving tele'
gram in n rlotously excited and de-
lighted manner.
"Tbe next trnln bnck for both Of
U.s." he exclaimed. "You see what It
says Drop the Dayton work. We
have closed the big tunnel contract and
need you here"
"Yps. but what will this Robert Day
ton think of your not coming, Whar-
tun?' propounded the other.
"What he pleases. Think I'll vegr'
tate at a hundred a month way of
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 rond was blocked.
A post bore the sign: "No thorough
fare-Privnte Road He took side
highway to fnce the same sign half
a mile further on.
well It seems that have come 10
the end Of the road" he soliloQuized.
At little distance was solitary
house. II set huck among grove of
trees and he made his way TO its porch.
A young Girl sat there Mt table, n
number Of blank and written sheets
spread ont before her.
"I'm wondering where I am spoke
Virgil. II seem to be In labyrinth
with no way out"
ooh, you mean the blocked rondsT
inquired the young lady. "My father
owns the lind for miles beyond here
and hns purpose in segregating IT.
You are not the engineer, are you
whom he was expectnR?"
mo. / am not" replied Virgil "btl'
engineering is my profession" and
then as he glanced at the sheet neal
at hand he observed that the girl haf
been copying surveying transcripts ant
map details. A bluff, hearty-lOokinf
man appeared from the house. HI
had overheard virgil's declaration ant
II seemed to interest him. Abruptly HI
questioned:
"Are you Mr.. Wharton?' and as Vir
eli dlssented he also referred to th'
man of that name he had seen at th'
restaurant and recited the incident.
"And you're in the same line? salt
Robert Dayton. "A queer coincidence
Maybe we can turn II to account
want a new survey Of some ten thou
sand acres of land own and som
engineering work besides. You see
hold the key here to supply electri
utilities for n ffty-mile district In
willing TO pay well for expert counse
and help to put 1t in shape"
Virgil Wayne accepted the Propos
tion rendered him.
BE was so fascinated with the pro
ect Of the old man, so encouraged j
realizing that his technical educatio
bad found jts practical opportunity
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