The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-04-06
Helped by
Cloudburst
(copyright. 1919. by Associated Literary Pressl

much" explained Dustan Carmichael.
impatiently. THAT is annoying and
expensive and all that. but unless l
can rush these papers to New York in
time for the meeting it will cost me
pretty close to s2.OOO,O0O. I'll give
$4,000 to any man who will cross the
stream"
Il wouldn't do 1t for the whole ST.
OO0,OOO." said Cassidy. the foreman de-
cidedly. "Mebbe some Of the boys
wants to try. Ill ask EN-"
Dick Breslin looked at the raging
flood. During the night there had been
a clOudburst up In the mountains. The
ordinarily shallow stream was swollen
to a width of 300 feet and the tempo
rary railroad bridge had been swept
away.
Breslin shared his employers nerv.
BUSINESS and accompanied him In his
restless pacing until. from the private
car. there stepped hooded figure.
rs 1t still bad!" asked the girl as he
approached.
Worse, Claire. l don't think the
water will fall before tomorrow"
And no one will try for the re-
ward!"
mo one seems anxious to try for q
suicides grave" he laughed. That's
about what 1t would mean."
will you 60 halves with met" she
demanded suddenly.
Die together?"
Claire shook her head.
Father said We could get married
when you had earned $4,000. 1t will
take you two years with this construc'
ton gang to earn that much. We can
hurry 1t along"
I'm with you" he cried. What ID
the idea?"
Let's arrange with dad first" They
went toward the bank. Mr.. Carmichael
paused to greet his daughter.
you had better 60 back to the car
he said. This weather IL not made
for young women"
1T won't hurt me-" she said. 1--WE
q proposition to make. dad"
"And that Isl"
"You told Dick that we could be
married when he had earned $4,000
Then you put him with this construc
ton gang and 1t will take two years
for him to earn It at the salary yot
pay him."
And you've Just discovered that II
pay him more the time will be short
er? This 10 q bad time for discov
cries." Claire shook her head.
"Will you give 10 that reward II VI
get the papers across for you! Dicl
and are partners. Well each taxi
half"
"You ought to help me out anyhow.
he declared.
IT won't" she said. "and Dicl
doesn't know how" Her dimpled chill
squared itself determinedly. Mr.. Cal
michael knew what that meant. Sh'
inherited his stubb0rnness. and no sul
rendered Internationally.
She drew Breslin aside and whil
} pered for q moment. Then she wen
back to their private car while b.
headed in the direction Of tho tool cal
Some whisper Of an attempt to bridg
the stream was passed about and bot
] banks were lined with workmen .
Breslin returned.
Going to shoot the box acrossr' d
manded Cassidy. a. he noticed tina
Dick carried . gun.
Something Ike that" he admitted
20 he proceeded to grease the outsid
Of the gun barrel. Cassidy watchs
him In surprise. But his surprise Va
nothing to bic amasement when Bre'
lin began to drive stakes into tho ella
and wind . fishing line about It. The
he drew from bic pocket . section q
pine from one Of the steam drills An
fastened the line to The cap Of II
pipe.
Claire and her father came down I
watch the proceedings. and. with quiz
care. Breslin clipped the cap on tn
:un and rested II In . crotchsd sticl
There was . report. the line whisse
out over the stakes. but TIE projectil
fell short.
I'll get It yet." hs cried. - hs DIRE
another cartridge from his pocket.
Slowly he drew back the line.
Wa . quarter Of an hour before Ii
projectils was back on land.
This time there was . heavier =
port, the black projectile rose in
curve and fell on the opposite banl
There ellis caught 1t and raised tn
line out Of the water.
From the telegraph kit. they Of
tanned some light, strong rope and TIL
In turn was drawn across. Then
water tight box containing the paper
and a letter Of instruction to Gill
was fastened to the line and haule
across. Ten minutes later the puffs
smoke announced the departure OF a
engine for the junction.
Carmichael watched the smoke unit
. Il faded into the distance, then b
, turned away with sigh OF satisfa
ton.
After tho chill of the morning th