Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1904-07-21
.#4 n n yt.r (, Les,, Il. H.. afaf r-sttf prts
An Unauthorized
Substitute
Copyright, lso4 BY. Daily ssory Pub. Co.,
BY FRANK H. SWEET

by FNANA H. Sw Eel
~, :, = 49, u: 49, -
Copyright, 1901. BY Daily ssosy Pub. co.,
n HE Honduras, loaded with bananas,
had been in only 13 hours; but in
those - hours the great vessel had
been emptied by half a thousand hur-
rying stevedores, and the fruit trans
ferred to nearly as many ventilated
cars, made up into a dozen or more
long trains, whose engines were PVT"
fing impatiently to be off. All the cars
had been given a little artificial
warmth preliminary to the moist fruit
generating heat of its own, and the
stoves removed; and now the messen-
gers, in charge of sections OF ten to ~
cars, were fastening to their stations,
ready to start on the long trips to varl-
GUS parts of the north.
Two of the trains had already pulled
up from the company's wharf to the
main line, and a third was sounding
out it's last signalling whistle when
girl hurried down track nine, with
blanket, covered with napkin and ev-
identity containing a lunch. Messenger
16 was swaying unsteadily at the open
door of a car, and the girl went
straight to him, her eyes bright, her
cheeks flushed. But as she drew near
she suddenly recoiled, look Of terror
coming to her face.
"Ben!" her white lips tried to say;
but no sound same from them.
, The man passed a hand across his
brow, weakly, holding to the car Ivy
the other. The girl went a step
nearer.
What does this mean?" her voice
Quivered, hoarsely. ooh! Ben"
Something of the agony in the cry
seemed to penetrate the mans dulling
brain, for tremor went through him
and he Strengthened suddenly, as
though by a great effort. But for some
moments he could not speak, though
he evidently tried hard. The dull eyes
opened and shut heavily, and again the
hand pressed across the forehead, as
though to force some intelligence into
the clogged brain. Then:
Don't speak like that, grille" an
unrecognizable voice mumbled. I'm
not drunk. I never drank a drop in
my life. You know 1-speak-true
It's a. d-r-u-g'-his voice drifting back
again into the stupor
The girl was beside him with swift
movement, the basket thrust into. the
car, her hands placed firmly upon his
shoulders, her eyes close and gazing
straight into his. lovingly, compel
lingly.
"Ben!"-the voice forcing itself into
clearness and steadiness-'looka at me.
now, hard. What is it? Think"
The man made a supreme effort.
"It was Messenger 12-Timson, you
know--the man you refused. He
offered me a drink of water, and
took it. Then he crossed to track three
and jumped on board his train. 1t was
the one that just pulled OUT
But what did he do it for?'
Don't you understand, Della ga
sharp agony quivering into the voice
"This trip was to furnish the money
for our wedding, and Timson knew it..
He planned it just before my train
starts, so I will lose the trip. There
is no time to find substitute. Ny
train will go without me, and the
company will be angry and discharge
me for drunkenness, and-and"-his
eyes again becoming dull and his form
swaying more heavily-"and-I am
losing myself. I-can't see you.
Quick! grille; you must find the man
ager and tell him it-isnt drink. A
q discharged messenger cannot-get-
work anywhere"
He lurched forward and would have
fallen. but she caught him in her
strong, supple arms. A quick glance
up and down showed that no one was
in sight. The train on track five was
Just leaving the wharf, and six was
sounding its last warning 'cl-ang.'
Half carrying and half leading him,
she hurried messenger 16 To the near
est outside entrance, only few yards
away. Several drays were standing
about, waiting for a job. She mo-
toned imperiously to the owner of the
nearest.
Listen, Ben," she said, slowly. put
ting her lips close to the ears of tho
now almost insensible man in an ef-
fort to make him hear and compre-
bend; "I-am-going-to- send-you
home. You-mustn't-
-f0r-I-will-f ix-it-all - right.
will take these" He was holding hi:
train papers tightly, and she Nm
clasped them gently from his fingers
Then, as the drayman came forward
with a knowing look at the dropping
figure she was upholding, "Take THU
man to his home at once, IL Rue Cit
ronelle. Here is dollar"
She hesitated little, glancing at tn
drayman doubtfully. But there was NJ
time for explanations. She could hea
the engine on track seven Changing it
bell for departure. Every moment wa
precious now; and, after all, it did nc
matter what the drayman though,
There were things of vastly more i'm
portance.
inside abe again glanced sharn1v II,