The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-03-16

respect Cupid. He asked him II his
wife was coming out to Little Falls
to live with him. Joe Rogers never
had much feeling.
mo. sir" answered Cupid. turning
white.
Dead, hey?" asked Joe Rogers.
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 II ever 1t burst the food would
sweep away Little Falls as the mood
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 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, It was said BY
her that the first time the two men
met Mr.. Norman looked as though
he had seen ghost. while Cupid drew
himself up very stin and looked at
Mr.. Norman in . 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 viii 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
bankrupt He had hidden away
enough Of his property to enable him
to dress like a gentleman, and tc
bring Miss Cavendish expensive flow
ers: but he wanted her cool fifty thou
sand. everybody knew. But nobod,
is going to NEEDLE in such affairs
Folks are cowardly in small towns
AS for Cupid, whatever he knew, HI
kept quieter than ever. He worshipet
Miss Cavendisll. That was easy t
see. But people said he wouldn't holt
his position long after the marriage
which was only four weeks away
Now comes the astonishing part o
the story. Emma said she saw Cupi,
talking to Mr.. Norman The two mel
were at the gate of Miss Cavendish'
house. and Norman was on his wa
homeward after call when Cupi
confronted him What Emma wa
doing there she did not pretend t
, explain.
For the last time I warn you t
leave Miss Cavendish alone" sal
Cupid.
you scoundrel!" Missed Norman
It'll have you arrested for blackmai
I'll"
I'VE know all about that, Mr.. No
man." answered Cupid YEARLY. "Yo
are relying on my not daring to brin
my wife's name into court Mayt
you are right up to q certain poin
but not when It comes to sacrificing
: woman like Miss Cavendish."
What Norman answered Emn
B could not hear. but she saw Cup
clench his fists and Norman sta
away. And az Cupid watched hi
stink by there was a queer look q
the mans ugly face. 1t almost SCENE
. as though he realized Norman was
coward and was meditating about It
; "If the dun don't burst tomorro
she can't" Toe Rogers had said, ar
everyone repeated 1t. The key to Il
solid wall of masonry was to
swung into position the next da
Some had said that the laying Of Il
great blocks had disturbed the found
lions of the old dam, but Joe rit
culed that After ten at night Il
following day the dam couldn't bur
unless an earthquake struck 1t,
insisted. People grew little ner
GUS as the evening wore away. Bla'
70 Emma had heard Miss Cavendi'
laughingly tell Mr. Norman, who w
!, visiting her that evening. and she sa
u the man seemed scared when MI
Cavendish told him their house sto'
~ right in the line the torrent won
take.
Only Emma saw what happened
y the house that night, and we have
rely on her. It seems that Norm,
, was within half an hour of departil
- tho two had been reading sor
. book together-when Cupid rush
:. into the living-room without the pl
y liminary If knock.
- The dams burst!" he yelle
I. There's just two minutes before I
y flood catches US. Run for the hillsi
20 or you'll be buried under Q hundr
feet Of water!"
y Emma screamed naturally. but q
40 was not 30 terrified a. Norman.
" stared at Cupid with wild eyes
- the tenth Of . second. Then, with
:. yell. he was upon his feet. out throu
% the glass Of the window, which Z