Middletown transcript., 1921-09-24
Dynamite Aids
Cupid
Bv HAZEL SMITH
1G. 1921, Western Newspaper Union.)

1T seems" said Evan Bruce, sales
man, "that ! have come to TINS oeau
hurg on fruitless errand. Biddle q
Co., quarrymen, have burned out en-
Won't start up for sixty days. NO
train OUT for three hours. Suppose
I 90 out to where he lives and see II
! cannot get an order out OF him TOT
future deivery?'
No sooner said than done. just De-
yond the edge of small stream run
ming near a ravine he came upon
pretty country house. No one respond
ed to continuous ringing of the door
hell. Bruce was about to return town
wards when he noticed the hutter OF
skirts near a pretty little cottage OH
the same lot.
It was pleasant to the tired traveier
to meet Miss Verona Biddle and know
that her father would return WITHIN
an hour. It grew pleasanter still as
she invited Bruce to rest on a COM
Portable porch seat, which she shared
with him.
Il was tidying up the cottage here'
which my married brother and his
family have occupied until today she
explained. "Papa has just driven them
to the depot. 1t will be lonely for u.s.
but brothers business called him to d
new location"
It began to rain shortly, and they
had to 90 into the house for shelter
lust as Mr.. Biddle arrived and joined
them. Bruce handed his business caro-
TO the bluff old quarryman.
Dynamite, eh?" observed Mr.. BID
die, reading the card. "Sorry ! cant
give YOU an order. l might have
taken some for later use, but this big
food has done worse than the fire.
1t continued to rain. Bruce fingered
another hour. Mr.. Biddle went out
and studied the heavy clouds.
"See here" he said, "just make
up your mind to stay with US over
night"
Bruce glanced at the trim figure and
charming face Of his hostess and made
no demur He held an umbrella over
Verona while they ran for the larger
house. Then the deft little housekeep
er busted herself preparing supper.
They had just concluded the eve
ming meal when there came harsi
rapid jangle at the telephone. Mr
Biddle answered the call. He instant
" dropped the receiver and ran foI
his hat.
"It's come !" he announced in q tont
of deep concern-"the dam has broker
and the flood is on. Can you hell
me a bit, Mr.. BruceT
| "Why, surely" acceded Bruce
promptly.
| The young salesman knew litti'
about floods as he assisted his hos
in getting some cattle from the low
land meadows into the stables.
| 1--WE must be ready for a dash t.
the highlands If this grows worse,
advised his host. 1--WE been through
this before"
"Is it a Ques: on Of the stream rls
ing enough to reach the houseT IN
0uired Bruce, with q speculative loo
in his eyes.
Just that" was the positive re
sponse.
The young salesman returned to tn
house and took up his satchel. d
had studied the contour Of the SUI
roundings and he knew his business
Mr.. Biddle and his daughter wer
/ <Ho yUnnd0rIn
what had become Of their guest. TIE
mintues went by, then half an hou1
Crash Ia terrific explosion rattle
the windows Of the house. AS fathe
and daughter stood petritied wit
amazement, Bruce came into vie'
bearing the empty satchel in one han(
a battery apparatus in the other.
Look at your creek now," he spok
In something Of a tone of triumph.
"You are practical man." was tn
cor. ment Of Mr.. Biddle, as he did loo
and was told what had caused tn
water to recede.
81 simply blew out the ravine wall,
explained Bruce. 1.-THE dynamite di
/ 1ueTc ) Il Ncut uO" IAul -
up the ravine, but you won't have an
flood hereabouts."
So practical man was Bruce. II
deed, that Mr.. Biddle offered him tn
superntendency Of his plant when b
started up again.
So sensible was Bruce, that he pr
posed to Verona within a month. ma
ried her in two, and the pretty co
. tage had new occupants.