The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1912-05-23
Helped by
Coudb,ust


(cosssisha nom. 81 Associated Lisera.y Proesl
II don't care about the bridge, 30
much" explained Dustan Carmichael.
impatiently. "That il annoying and
expensive and all that, but unless !
can rush these papers to New York in
time for the meeting 1t will cost me
pretty close to 100000. I'll give
$4,000 to any man who will cross the
stream"
II wouldn't do It for the whole g.
100000" said Cassidy. the foreman de-
cidedly. "Mebbe some Of the boys
wants to try. I'll ask EN-"
Dick Breslin looked at the raging
Hood. During the night there had been
q cloudburst mp In the mountains. The
ordinarily shallow stream was swollen
to width Of 800 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 It still badf" asked tho Girl % be
approached.
"Worss, Claire. don't think the
water wiz fail before tomorrow"
And no one WIN try for The ~
ward?"
mo one seems anxious to tsy fot .
suicides grave" he. laughed. ~Thatss
about what II would mean" ia
"Wiu Jon 20 halves with net" Shs
demanded suddsnly.
de toeethseI"
Claire shook hsr hoaA. ~
rather said ~ eosld Noe 1lafzsed
when you had earned )s.ooe. Il vlll
take you two years with this eoostsuo.
tion gang % earn that much. We can
hurry It along"
I'm with you" b cried. what n
the idea3''
Lets arrange With dad first" They
went toward the bank. Mr.. Carmichael
paused to greet his daughter.
you had better 90 back to the car"
he said. This weather 70 not made
for young women"
1T won't hurt me-" shs said. Five
Q proposition to make, dad"
"And that Isl"
"You told Dick that We could be
married when he had earned $1,000.
Then you put him with this construc.
ton gang and It will take two years
for him to earn It at the salary you
pay him"
"And you've Just discovered that II I
pay him more the time viii be short
er3 This 10 q bad time for diseov.
cries." Claire shook her head.
'Will you give us that reward II We
get the papers across for you? Dick
and I are partners. Wen each take
half"
"You ought to help me out anyhow"
he declared.
II won't" she said. "and Dick
doesn't know how" Her dimpled chin
squared itself determinedly. Mr.. Car.
michael knew what that meant. She
inherited his stubbornness, and he sur
rendered Internationally.
She drew Breslin aside and Wits
pered for moment. Then she went
back to their private car while be
headed in the direction Of the tool car.
Some whisper Of an attempt to bridge
the stream was passed about and both
banks were lined with workmen %
;,Breslin returned.
! Going to shoot the box across?" d
handed Cassidy. % no noticed that
Dick carried . gun.
Something HE that hs admitted
~ hs proceeded to grease the outsids
'of the gun barrel. Cassidy watched
HIM In surprise. But his. surprise was
nothing to his amA1ement when Bres-
Ain began 70 drive stakes into the clay
and wind . fishing line about Il. Then
- drew fron his pocket . section Of
pipe from ono Of the steam drills and
fastened the line to the cap oe The
pipe.
Claire and her father came down %
watch The proceedings and. with quiet
carr. Brssan clipped The cap On the
sun and rested 4 In . cTotched stick
There WAS . report. the line whissed
out over the stakes, but The pro3octils
fell short.
IN get It vi" hs cried. % hs drew
another cartridge from his pocket
Slowly he drew hack the line. Il
was quarter Of an hour before the
projectile was back on land.
This time there was heavier 10.
port. the black projectile rose in Q
curve and fell on the opposite bank.
There 0illis caught It and raised the
line out Of the water.
From the telegraph lit, they OBJ.
tanned some light, strong rope and this
In turn was drawn across. Then q
water tight box containing the papers
and q letter Of instruction to ellis
was fastened to the line and hauled
across. Ten minutes later the puts Of
smoke announced the departure Of an
engine for the junction.
Carmichael watched the smoke until
It faded into the distance. then he
turned away with q sigh Of satisfac.