Gilpin observer., 1915-05-13

On the next day he set about his en-.
terprise. He met with surprising sue
cess. The cement was simply trans.
ferred to other bags and hauled up the
hill to be used in bridging the gap just
where the full force of the river tor.
rent swept against its massive walls.
III.
1t was done. Lindsay, lost In admi-
ration of the stupendous accomplish
ment. stood beside the completed dam.
He was proud of his triumph, proud
Of his men; most of all. he was proud
Of the wife who was to be his
A hundred yards away, where the
great dam curved toward the shores
Of the mountain gorge, Hardy was
seated. He, too, was surveying his
work with singular enthusiasm. The
poorly constructed barrier. firm as 1t
appeared, was already beginning to let
the water through. The lake above
was filing rapidly from the diverted
river. At present there was little
strain. What would happen few
hours later. when the flood raved
against the substituted walls?
Already a thin trickle appeared upon
the grassy side of the gorge. Hardy
smiled, filed his pipe, and smoked pen
sively. He would make his getaway
in time, but there was no immediate
danger.
Presently, seeing the girl approach
ing. he lodged into the timber and
made his way to his shack Some
how he did not feel able to look into
Marie's eyes.
1t was two or three hours later when
Carl met Marie. He had rather avoid
ed her Of late; he was anxious to go to
her and show her the triumph of his
completed work Now it was done.
There was light of exaItation in his
eyes. He saw her beside the dam,
with her little dog. rush of tender
ness swept over his heart, and he hur-
ried toward her.
''Marie!"
Carl, dearest."
1T is finished"
Carl. you are wonderful! 1t shows
how wonderful you are that my father
should have placed such confidence in
you! am so proud of you. dear!"
And your promise, Marie!"
The words of fulfillment trembled
longed to spin out that delicious mo-
ment. She looked down. Carl's eyes
followed her own, and he saw the lit
tie log at her feet, tapping.
Lapping water from a clear stream
that gushed through the base of the
concrete dam! The water was seeping
through and the lake was not full; the
breach was growing before Carl Lind
says eyes!
"Marie!" There was horror in his
voice
Carl? What Is it? What is it,"
The dam! Don't you see? It's
breaking, crumbling to pieces. Get the
men. Run, while stay here and see
what can do!"
The girl looked and understood, and
in an instant she was running down
the hill. the little dog bounding beside
her. Carl heard her shouting to the
men in the camp. He saw them come
out of their huts and stare at her. She
pointed toward the dam.
They were coming. But the wall
was giving, the stream was widening
into torrent. Long before the men
arrived, having at last understood,
with props and bags and timbers, the
stream was rushing past them toward
the valley. Carl had a confused i'm
preston of that wild and desperate
struggle. He fought the waters like
madman, and always in vain. The wall
was breaking in 4 score of places. The
dmbers were swept away by the furi-
Gus stream. And suddenly the whole
of the weakened space collapsed, and
with roar the floods swept down into
the valley.
Carl had sense OF struggling
against the deluge; then two hands
grasped him and pulled him to the dry
shore. He opened his eyes. to see
Marie bending over him. He looked
about him.
The floods wee sweeping onward.
but the full force of the torrent was