Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-08-06
An Unauthorized
 Substitute
Copyright, 1904, by Daily Story Pub. Col
By FRANK H. SWEET


 Copyright. lso4, by Daily Story Pub. Col
 Y 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 ferrtld to nearly as many ventilated cars, made up into dozen or more long trains, whose engines were puff f1ng impatiently to be off. All the cars had been given a 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 go cars, were hastening to their stations. ready to start on the long trips to vari- ous partsSof the north.
 Two of tAe trains had already pulled up from the companys 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- fdently 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, 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 by the other. The girl went a step nearer.
 What does this mean?" her voice quivered, hoarsely. "Oh! Ben.''
 Something of the agony in the cry seemed to penetrate the mans dullina 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 the hand pressed across the forehead, as though to force some intelligence into the clogged brain. Then:
 Don't speak like that, girIie,' an unacceptable voice mumbled. I'm not drunk. never drank drop in my life. You know I--speak--true, It's drug 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! 1.-the voice forcing itself into clearness and steadiness-"loo at me, now. hard. What is it? Think"
 The man made supreme effort.
 s.It was Messenger. 12-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. It was the one that just pulled out"
 But what did he do it for2''
 Don't you understand, Della ?"-a sharp agony uuivering 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 a substitute. My train will go without me, and the company will be angry and discharge me for drunkenness, and-and eyes again becoming dull and his form swaying more heavily-.' 'and-I am losing myself. I-can't see you. Quick! girlie; you must find the man ager and tell him it-isn't drink, A 8 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 it's last warning 'scl-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 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- hend; lam going o-send-you home. You-mustn 't-worry -I-will-ix-it-aH - right will take these" He was holding his train papers tightly, and she un- clasped them gently from his fingers. Nhen, as the drayman came forward with a knowing look at the dropping figure she was upholding, Take this man to his home at once, 12 Rue Git Tonelle. Here is a dollar"
 She hesitated little. glancing at the drayman doubtfully. But there was no time for explanations. She could hear the engine on track seven changing It's bell for departure Every moment was precious now; and, after all, it did not matter what the drayman thought. There were things of vastly more im- portance,
 Inside, she again glanced sharply up and down. A man was running in her direction, heading toward the rear of train nine. She recognized him as nles- senger 20, and friend of Ben's. She stopped at the door of the car in which