The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-03-09

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. It had
been called dangerous; people said
that If ever It burst the food would
sweep away Little Falls as the flood
had destroyed Johnstown. and nobody
would have time to do anything but
pray, and pray fast Meanwhile the
dam was progressing toward compile
ton With the REINFORCED concrete
structure NO one thought II 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. It 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 q 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 a 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
were at the gate Of Miss Cavendish's
house. and Norman was on his way
I'D vs,hA
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, MIR. Nor
man." answered Cupid YEARLY. "Yor
are relying on my not daring to brine
my wife's name into court Mayb,
you are right up to certain point
but not when 1t comes to sacrificing I
woman like Miss Cavendish."
What Norman answered Emm,
could not hear. but she saw Cupit
clench his fists and Norman star
away. And, as Cupid watched hin
stink by there was queer look OF
the mans ugly face. II almost SCENE,
as though he realized Norman was ,
coward and was meditating about 1t
III the dam don't burst tomorrow
she can't" Joe Rogers had said, an,
everyone repeated IT, The key to tn,
solid wall Of masonry was to b.
swung into position the next day
Some had said that the laying Of tn,
great blocks had disturbed the founda
lions Of the old dam. but Joe ridi
culed that. After ten at night thu
following day the dam couldn't burs
unless an earthquake struck 1t, h,
insisted. People grew a little nerv
GUS as the evening wore away Blacl
Emma had heard Miss Cavendisl
laughingly tell Mr.. Norman. who wa,
visiting her that evening, and she sal,
the man seemed scared when Mis-
Cavendish told him their house stoo,
right in the line the torrent woul,
! take.
! Only Emma saw what happened a
the house that night, and we have I,
rely on her. II seems that Norman
was within half an hour Of departing
the two had been reading som,
book together-when Cupid rushe,
into the living.room without the pre-
liminary Of knock
The dams BURST" he yelled
There's just two minutes before tn.
flood catches us. Run for the hillsid,
or you'll be buried under a hundred
feet Of water!"
Emma screamed naturally. but she
was not so terrified as Norman. H,
stared at Cupid with wild eyes fol
the tenth Of a second. Then, with q
veil, he was upon his feet. out through
the glass of the window, which fel
in splinters all about him, and speed
ing with all his might for the hillside
And Just as Emma and Miss Caven
dish turned to run Cupid caught
them.
ITS a lie!" he cried. There was 9
look Of triumph upon the fellows face
: The dam-the dam hasn't burst and
never will
Emma said that for a moment Miss
Cavendish stood still. watching his
face. Then suddenly she put her
hands to her own and burst into hys
terical tears and laughter. You see
she had been brought 10 n realization