The Starkville news. (Starkville, Miss.) 1902-1960, 1904-07-01
Unauthorized
Substitute
Copyright, 1904, by Daily Story Pub. co.,
BY FRANK III. SWEET


r HE Honduras, loaded with bananas.
had been in only 13 hours; but in
those 13 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 put
fng impatiently to be off. All the cars
had been given little artificial
warmth preliminary to the moist fruit
generating heat of it's 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 vari-
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 its last signalling whistle when
girl hurried down track nine, with
blanket, covered with a napkin and eV-
identity containing lunch. Messenger
16 was swaying unsteadily at the open
door of a car, and the girl went
straight to him, her eyes bright, Eer
cheeks flushed. But as she drew near
she suddenly recoiled, look OF terror
coming to her face.
''Ben!" her white lips tried 10 say;
but no sound same from them.
The man passed a 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 III the cry
seemed to penetrate the mans dullihg
brain, for a 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 the
hand pressed across the forehead, as
though to force some intelligence in1o
the clogged brain. Then:
Don't speak like that, grille IN
unrecognizable voice mumbled. I'm
not drunk. I never drank a drop II
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 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
Ingly-
"Ben!'-the voice forcing itself Into
clearness and steadiness-'loOk 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 1t for?'
Don't you. understand, Della pa
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. My
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-isn't drink. A
a 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 a few yards
away. Several drays were standing
about, waiting for 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 the
now almost insensible man in an eff
fort to make him hear and compre-
bend; 'I-am-going-to-
home. You-mustn't -worry-a-bi.
-I-will-ix-it-all = right.
will take these" He was holding his
train papers tightly, and she un-
clasped them gently from his fingers
Then, as the drayman came forward
with a knowing look at the dropping
figure she was upholdings Take this