The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1929-03-08
obeMarked Man

thin old woman, sat by window.
calmly watching the river rise.
at Is high water all at once" Gus
tai told her. "Go.n' to get you out.
We'd best hurry. Miss Jennie. Ye
amt very hefty. Amos. take the 9TH
er arm OF her chair"
Water spread across the road to
the meager line OF stores The Tama-
rack was damned by the county
bridge, that cought the wreckage and
piled II up like a wall, diverting the
river beyond its low gravelly banks
Small waves forged across the main
street.
The height OF the flood had passed
when Sue Stocking and the younger
Delong arrived Just beyond the
breakwater. the Blind Mans Point
Iifeboat. kicking up white wake, was
speeding into the harbor.
The car slid down the last grade
into the town. belong had said little.
He could not. for thought of his
brother. He trod through the mud to
Captain Parish.
"Well, I'll be sunk ashoreT the
coast guard commander said violent
ly he stood by an overturned wagon.
THAT devil riveri Give me the lake
every time. You. Delong? II was
your damT"
"My DAM" Delong answered.
"Humph!" commented Parish. He
called to his crew. Hi An
derson Shay Baker :.
get some speed on"
The townsmen came silently, with
out words to express their thoughts.
The Tamarack river any river
=. attacking them. who loved the
lake. They whispered when they rec
ognized Delong.
James Delong returned to Susan.
Talking rapidly, he gave her instruc-
lions.
That's a church," he pointed up
the hill. Find the key, open it.
Therell be folks hunting dry place
TO sleep tonight. Get some blankets
And have some one make coffee"
Women from the neighborhoOd were
helping Sue when Delong limped into
the church an hour later. Driving his
car reckleSSly on the road east of
town. he had found a telephone line
intact and summoned Doctor McCar-
thy of Copperhead.
Three hours later, Just before sun
down, while Madrid Bay still COM
planned miserably Of its catastrophe,
Julie Richaud and Norman Erickson
staggered into town.
Norman's back ached with exertiOn.
His eyes burned. He dreaded to face
Madrid. He had thought with quick
ening heart of Gustaf since leaving
Germaine Richaud's house He wanted
very much to see him, TO see the fierce
brown face, listen to the blustery
voice.
He and Julie circled hill and came
out above the town.
Look '' Julie cried Look at the
bridget"
Norman gaZed a long, long minute
He understood what had happened.
The bridge had ruined the town. II
had caught the food and prevented it
from escaping to the lake
AT the door of the church julie
hung back shyly. She never had been
inside this building.
81 want some Coffee Norman said
determinedly.
He let Julie step ahead Of him into
the room. AT table near the door.
Sue Stocking, In a blue apron much
too large for her, was cutting loaves
of bread. She put down the knife
slowly and came toward him.
"Normanl" she called.
Julie flushed and drew bach Sues
voice was affeetionate.
'Sit down somewhere" she directed
Julie. 81 must talk TO him alone"
Norman waited inquiringly. An I'm
easy surprised expression came over
his long face. Julie. watching across
her shoulder. sat down suddenly with
her back TO the door. For she had seen
Sues arm about Norman's shoulder,
had seen Sues lips close to Normln's
ear. And all Madrid Bay looking on
Well, what OF it? What did it mat
ter?
Have you seen my father? Nor
man demanded. He stopped shortly.
He had not meant to ask this just yet.
Sue nodded. They were alone now,
out on the sand.
Norman" she whispered, ''let me
have your band -. you're aw-
fully cold! Norman, your father :.
drowned"