The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-05-03
AN UNAUTHORIZED
RY FRANK H. SWEET.

 Col.
 The Honduras, loaded with bananas, had been in only thirteen hours; but in those thirteen hours the great vessel had been emptied by half { thousand hurrying stevedores, and the fruit transferred to nearly as many ventil- ated cars, made up into dozen or more long trains, whose engines were puhing impatiently to be off. All the cars had been given a little artificial warmth preliminary to the moist fruit lgenerating heat of it's own. and the stoves removed and now the messen- gers, in charge of sections of ten to twenty cars, were hastening to their stations, ready to start on the long trips to various 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 its 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 recoi1ed, look of terror coming to her face.
 'Ben! her white lips tried to say; but no sound came from them.
 The man passed a hand across his brow, weakly, holding to the car by the other. The girl went step near CT.
 What does this mean?" her voice quivered, hoarsely. "Oh! Ben"
 Something of the agony in the cry seemed to penetrate the mans dulling brain, for a 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, girlie," an unrecognizable voice mumbled I'm not drunk I never drank a drop in my life. You Know I--speak--true. It's 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.
 "Benr'-the voice forcing itself into clearness and steadiness-'1ook at me. now. hard What is it? Thinkp The man made a supreme effort. Tt was messenger 12--Timson. you know--the man you refused. He offered me a drink of water, and l took it. Then he crossed to track three and jumped on board his train. It was the one that just pulled out" But what did he do it for?'' Don't you understand, DeliaT'--a sharp agony souivering into the voice. "This trip was to furnish the money | for our wedding, and Timson knew 1t. He planned it just before my train starts, so 1 win lose the trip. THAps is no time to find a substitute. My l train will go without me, and tae 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 l losing myself. I--can't see you. Quick l grille; you must find the manager and | tell him it--isn't drink. A---a discharg- | ed messenger cannot-get--work any where"
 He lurched forward and would have | fallen, but she caught him in hel | strang, supple arms. A quick glance up and down showed that DO one was
 In sight. The train on track five wal just leaving the wharf, and six wa: sounding its last warning "cl-ang. Half carrying and half leading him she hurried messenger IS, to the near est outside entrance, only few yard: | away. Several drays were standing about, waiting for a job. She mo tioned imperiously to the owner of th' nearest.
 Listen. Ben," she said, slowly. put
 ting her lips close to the ears of thu now almost insensible man in an eff l. |, I,, ,a1 aVNVat a 1 m-going-to-send you-home You-musn't- worry-a-bit- for = will-fx-it-all-righ I will tak' these" He was holding his train pa pers tightly. and she unclasped then gently from his fingers. Then, as thu drayman came forward with know ing look at the dropping figure she wal upholdlng. Take this man to his hom'
 at once. 12 Rue Citronelle. Here is { dollar"
 She hesitated a little, glancing a the drayman doubtfully. But ther'
 was no time for explanations. Sh' could hear the engine on track sever changing its bell for departure. Ever! moment was precious now; and, afte all, 1t did not matter, what the dray man thought. There were things O vastly more importance.
 Inside, she again glanced sharply Ill and down. A man was running in he direction, heading toward the rear O train nine. She recognized him as mes 1 senger 20, and a friend of Ben's. Sh stopped at the door of the car in whicl
 was her basket. As the man drew nea he saw her, and slackened his pac
 somewhat.
 Hello, Miss Delia"' he called; 'com
 to see Ben off again, have your An
 brought him another nice lunch, too
 Well, well, but he's a lucky dog.
 wish were in his shoes. You must ex
 cuse my hurry, though. This trail
 pulls out in three minutes, and l wan
 to reach my section"
 Della could hear her heart thumpinI
 in its anxiety.
 your section is in the rear, I sup
 poser she questioned, raising he
 ing to keep 1t from be c,raying too grea
 interest in the answer
 "Yes"--over his shoulder-"the l
 rear cars. Ben has the forward 20.
 switch off at Memphis for Jefferso
 City, and Ben goes on to Columbus. It
 going to be a nasty trip, I'm afraid. DeIia's face cleared. She had learne
 all she wanted to know. There was n
 one else in sight, and 20's back wa
 toward her. Placing her hands upo
 the floor of the car she gave Igh spring and was within, sliding tn door quickly behind her. She coul hear men running along track etgh and the train pulling out. A few mo 3 ments later her own bell rang, and the | the car began to move forward. She had never been on Q train befor never been out of New Orleans; bu