The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-03-11


mo. sir" said Cupid. looking
straight into Rogers's eyes. Some
how Joe Rogers found an excuse to
back away. He never questioned
Cupid after that.
Joe Rogers was at work In charge
of the men who were repairing the
big dam above Little Falls. 1t had
been called dangerous; people SAID
that II ever 1t burst the flood would
sweep away Little Falls as the hood
had destroyed Johnstown. and nobody
would have time to do anything but
pray. and pray fast Meanwhile tho
dam was progressing toward compile
ton With the REINFORCED concrete
structure no one thought It would
break.
We used to hear gossip Of the Cav
endish household from Emma, the
black maid. That was how we
learned that Henry Norman didn't
like Cupid. In fact. 1t was said by
her that the first time the two men
met Mr.. Norman looked as though
he had seen a ghost, while Cupid drew
himself up very stiff and looked at
Mr.. Norman in a way that made her
blood run cold. However. Emma.
faithful old soul that she was, was
fond Of romancing. Still, we knew
that Mr.. Norman had tried to per-
suade Miss Cavendish to get rid Of
Cupid. Miss Cavendish refused. She
always had a will of her own. They
nearly quarreled over 1t till Mr.. Nor
man saw that 1t was q case Of yield
ing or losing Miss Cavendish-or her
money.
That was the bitter part. Joe Rog-
ers found out that Mr.. Norman was
a bankrupt. He had hidden away
enough of his property to enable him
to dress like a gentleman, and to
bring Miss Cavendish expensive flow.
ers; but he wanted her cool fifty thou
sand. everybody knew. But nobody
Is going to NEEDLE in such affairs.
Folks are cowardly in small towns
As for Cupid, whatever he knew. he
kept quieter than ever. He worshiped
Miss Cavendish. That was easy to
see But people said he wouldn't hold
his position long after the marriage,
which was only four weeks away
Now comes the astonishing part Of
the story. Emma said she saw Cupid
talking to Mr. Norman. The two men
we're at the gate Of Miss Cavendish's
house, and Norman was on his way
homeward after a call when Cupid
confronted him What Emma was
doing there she did not pretend to
explain.
For the last time I warn you to
leave Miss Cavendish alone" said
Cupid.
you scoundrel!" Kissed Norman.
I'll have you arrested for blackmail.
I'll"
I'VE know all about that. Mr.. Nor.
man. answered Cupid YEARLY. you
are relying on my not daring to bring
my wife's name into court Maybe
you are right up to certain point
but not when it comes to sacrificing q
woman like Miss Cavendish."
What Norman answered Emma
could not hear, but she saw Cupid
clench his fists and Norman start
away. And. as Cupid watched him
stink by there was . queer look on
the mans ugly face. It almost seemed
as though he realized Norman was q
coward and was meditating about It.
III the dam don't burst tomorrow
she can't" Joe Rogers had said. and
everyone repeated It. The key to the
solid wall Of masonry was to be
swung into position the next day
Some had said that the laying Of the
great blocks had disturbed the founda
lions of the old dam, but Joe ridi
culed that. After ten at night the
following day the dam couldn't burs,
unless an earthquake struck 1t. HI
insisted. People grew a little nerv
GUS as the evening wore away. Blacl
Emma had heard Miss Cavendisf
laughingly tell Mr.. Norman, who wa,
visiting her that evening, and she sait
the man seemed scared when Mis-,
Cavendish told him their house stood
right in the line the torrent woult
take.
Only Emma saw what happened q
the house that night. and We have Il
rely on her. II seems that Norman
was within half an hour Of departin,
the two had been reading som,
book together-when Cupid rushed
into the living-room without the pre-
liminary Of q knock.
The dams burst!" he yelled
There's Just two minutes before tn,
hood catches US. Run for the hillsid,
or you'll be buried under . hundret
feet Of water!"
Emma screamed naturally, but sh,
was not so terrified as Norman. II,
stared at Cupid with wild eyes FOL
the tenth Of second. Then. with {
yell. he was upon his feet, out througl
the glass Of the window, which feI
In splinters all about him, and speed
ing with all his might for the hillside
And just as Emma and Miss Cayen
dish turned to run Cupid caugh
| them.
It's lie!" he cried. There was ,
look Of triumph upon the fellows face
The dam-the dam hasn't burst ant
never will"
| Emma o,fA thnx -. -,