Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1904-06-24
An Unauthorized
Substitute
loopyright, iOOl, BY DAILY Story Pub. Co.,
BY FRANK H. SWEET

II
had been in only Is hours; but in
those 10 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 puff
fling 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 tho
stoves removed; and now the messen-
gers, in charge Of sections of ten to 20
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 third was sounding
out its last signalling whistle when a
girl hurried down track nine, with a
blanket, covered with napkin and ev-
identity containing lunch. Messenger
16 was swaying unsteadily at the open
door of car, and the girl Went
straight to him, her eyes bright, her
cheeks flushed But as she drew near
she suddenly recoiled, a look of terror
coming to her face.
BEN" her white lips tried to say;
but no sound same from them.
The man passed hand across his
brow, weakly, holding to the car by
the other. The girl went step
nearer
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 tremor went through him
and he Strengthened suddenly, as
though by great effort. But for some
moments he could not speak, though
he evidently tried hard. The dull eyes
opened and shut heavily, and again tine
hand pressed across the forehead, as
though to force some intelligence into
the clogged braip. Then:
Don't speak like that, grille an
unacceptable voice mumbled. "I'm
not drunk. l never drank drop in
my life. You know I--speak-true
It's a d-r-u-g"-his voice drifting back
again into the stupor.
The girl was beside him with a 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-"look at me
now, hard. What is it? Think"
The man made supreme effort.
1T was Messenger t2-Timson, you
know-the man you refused. He
offered me 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, Delia?"-a
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 / will lose the trip There
is no time to find a substitute. Ely
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 an
losing myself cant see you
Quick! grille; you must find the man
ager and tell him it--isn't drink. A
discharged messenger cannot--get-
work anywhere"
He lurched forward and would have
fallen, but she caught him in hel
strong. supple arms. A quick glance
up and down showed that no one was
In sight. The train on track five wa:
just leaving the wharf, and six wa.
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 standin;
about, waiting for a job. She mo
toned imperiously to the owner of thu
nearest.
Listen, Ben" she said, slowly, put
ting her lips close to the ears of tn,
now almost insensible man in an eff
fort to make him hear and compre
bend; lang ing-to-send
home. You-mustn' t-worry-a-bi
-will-fix-it-al = right
will take these" He was holding hi
train papers tightly, and she un
clasped them gently from his fingers
Then, as the drayman came forwar,
with knowing look at the droopin;
figure she was upholding, Take thi
man to his home at once, IL Rue Cit
ronelle. Here is dollar"
She hesitated little, glancing at tn
drayman doubtfully. But there was II,
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 thought
There were things of vastly more I'M
portance.
Inside, she again glanced sharply III
and down. A man was running in he
direction, heading toward the rear 0
train nine. She recognized him as mes
senger 20, and friend of Ben's. Sh
stopped at thu door of the car in whicI
was her basket. AS the man Dire,
near he saw her and slackened hi
pace somewhat
Hello, Miss Delia!" he called
come to see Ber of again, have you
J And brought him another nice lunch
. too! Well, well, but he's lucky dog
, wish l were in his shoes You mus
excuse my hurry, though. This trai
pulls out in three minutes, AID l wan
to reach my sectidn."
Della could hear her heart thumpin