The aegis & intelligencer., 1905-02-03
EQUAL TO THE
EMERGENCY
BIZ FRANK Il. SWEET
Copyright. 1901. BIZ Frank II. Sweet

Two Of the trains had already pulled
up the company's wharf TO the main
line. and thrd was sending out its
last signaling whistle when Il girl hur-
ried down track with Il basket Gov
,red by napkin, evidently containing
lunch.
Messenger 16 was SwayinS INSTEAD
lily mt the open door Of Il 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 came from them.
The man passed IL hand across his
brow weakly. holding to the car by the
other The girl went Il step nearer.
what does it mean:" Her voice
quivered hoarsely. "Oh, Ben
Something of the agony in the cry
seemed to penetrate the mans dulling
brain, for Il trcmor went through him
and he Strengthened suddenly, as
though by great effort. The dull
eyes opened and shut heavily, and
again the hand passed across the fore
head as though to force some fntelli-
gence into the clogged brain. Then:
"D-dont speak like that, grille" an
unrecogniZable voice mumbled. I'm
not drunk. never drank drop in my
life. You know I-speak-true. It's
a drug" his voice drifting back again
into the stupor.
The girl was beside him with Il swift
movement, the basket thrust into the
car, her hands placed firmly upon his
shoulders, her eyes close and gazing
straight into his, lovingly, compelling
ly.
Ben" the voice forcing itself into
clearness and steadiness, look at me
now. hard What is it? Think
The man made Il supreme effort.
1T was messenger 12-Timson, you
know"
She knew. She had refused Tim
sons love.
He offered me Il drink of water. and
l took it, Then he crossed 70 track B
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"
sharp agony quivering in the voice.
This trip was to furnish the money
for our welding. Timson knew it. He
planned it just before my train starts,
SO | will lose the trip. There is no time
to find Il substitute. My train will go
without me. and the company will be
| angry and discharge me for drunken
ness, and-and'' eyes again becom-
| ing dull and his form swaying more
heavily-"and I'm losing myself.
can't see you. Quick, grille, find the
manager 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 both ways showed no
one was in sight. The fruit train on
track was just leaving the wharf, and
| was sounding its last warning call.
| Half carrying and half leading him,
| she hurried messenger 1G to the near
est entrance, only a few yards away.
! Several drays We're stahding about
waiting for a job. She motioned impe-
riously to the owner of the nearest.
Listen, Ben" she said slowly, put
! ing her lips close to the ears of the now
| almost inseusible man in an effort to
make him hear and comprehend. Il
| am going to send you home. You
mustn't worry a bit. | will fix it all
| right" lie was holding his train pa
pers tightly, and she unc!aSped them
| gently from his fingers. Then as the
drayman came forward: Take this
man to his home at once, II Rue Cttro-
nellie. Here is Il dollar
Inside, she again glanced sharply
around \ man was running in her di-
rection, heading toward the rear of the
train She recognized him as friend
! of Bens.
Hello. Miss Deliaw he called. Come
to see Ben off again, have yOuf He's
| Il lucky dog. But you must excuse my
hurry This train pulls out in three
minutes, and must reach my section
Della could hear her heart humping
| III its anxiety.
Your section is in the rear, | sup
! pose?" she questioned, with assumed
| carclesSncSs.
| ''Ycs'-over his shoulder-'the eight
cen rear cars. I'm messenger 2$. Ben
has the forward twenty cars. | switch
off at Memphis for Jefferson City and
Ben goes on TO Columbus"
AS he hurried away Delia's face
cleared She had learned all she want
ed to know. Placing her hands upon
the floor of the car she gave Il light
spring and was within, sliding the door
quickly behind her. \ few moments
later her own bell rang. and then the
car began to move forward,