The Dolores star. [volume] (Dolores, Montezuma County, Colo.) 1901-current, 1917-09-21
CHAPTER xlv-con,lnu.d.

CHAPTER xiv.-continusd
-
The lantern was standing on the
roadway on top Of the dam. A man
was kneeling beyond II. his figure seen
dimly in the faint light Of the lantern.
he was staring intently down the
front Of the dam ut the water. The
has~-- WINS near the edge and It faint
" Illuminated the black. raln-lashed
surface below. vnndeventer realized
with shock Of horror how much more
rapid fhe rise Ind been. A quick esti-
mute convinced him TINT the level of
the water wps now within eight or nine
feet Of the duin-and IL WINS still rain
tnsi
The face Of the kneelIng man was
hidden BY sou'wes,er and he hnd IN
Q heavy black. rubber raincout. VAN
deventer reached over and touched
him ON the shoulder.
.what are you doing heref" he
asked.
The kneeling iaan sprnng up with an
exclamation. II was Meade. The re-
hef In vandevetter's mind was great
Ut the recognition.
II Just came cut to look at the wa
ter. couldn't sleep with all that
pounding on the iron roof Of the quar-
tsrs. 10 dressed and came out"
vnndeventer opened the slide Of his
own lantern nnh threw the light ON the
ssservoir.
.It.s risen eiaht'or ten feet since we
INV It. and witN this rain"
"rt's NOT conrng down SO hard as
Il was when first came out here"
aid Meade. ~ think you can see 1t
slsckening your ELF"
"Yes." said t,,e resident engineer,
listening q MON. ut. II believe It is. II
Il stops now" ne continued thought
fully. 1--WE ought to be safe."
-Yes. I think So" answered Meade.
In the night blone. together in that
eFisis In their fortunes. the two men
~ere interchanpng thoughts and ideas
% terms Of psyfect equality. It did
not occur to vG,deventer to question
why, and thar they were doing SO
aroused NO su3 rise, In the mind Of
Meade.
sOf course q ntinued Meade, seven
Il It does stop raining we'll continue
b get . lot Of rlnon from the water.
shed for some dine"
sYes," said Ule resident engineer.
that Of coprse. but II the rain stops
Everywhere W. can scarcely have a
tise Of more than I'VE or six feet. and
dat would still be little below the
4 spillway."
TITS stopping here now" pointed out
Meade. and. indeed. the force Of the
6ownpour was greatly diminished.
The two stood watching the dam and
DE black lake bayond It In silence for
few moments until the rain practical
q ceased. The air WINS misty and heavy
with moisture. hut the rain was GER
tAinly over for The time at any rite.
sThnnk goodness" said the resident
engineer in great relief. snow IL it's
stopped everywhere we'll be all right"
'Yes." said Meade, "and I'm inclined
10 think 1t has stopped everywhere.
Whoever thought 1t would rein in jan
uary heref There hasn't a drop. to
speak Of. fallen in January for twenty
years, or since there have been any
records Why in heavens name 1t
i had to come now don't see"
Look here. Roberts" said vande-
venter suddenly, ''you know you're a
0rst-class engineer"
Meade shook his head.
you can't fool me-" said the older
man. Eve watched you. You know
more about the game than anybody
here except myself. You don't choose
to confide In ma. although l like you,
anil am In position TO help you"
II APPRECIATE what you say. Mr.. VAN
deventer." -'strrned the other; ''there
r no one to wh nm should rather tell
! the whole story than to you, but I
can't-not yet
eWell, keep your own counsel. but
Il you ever want a friend. count on me !;
meanwhile. as man Of experience and
ability, what wsuld you dot"
Get ont the men and build up q
temporary dam on the top Of the road
way here, to tp.n the how over to the
east bank and make the spillway do
more work"
-But tbs .ata has stopped"
-And In - probability. will stay
etppped-still Jon never can tell. ( A
eeW more hours of rain like that we've
~ and ~ .=asae thing would 60. y