Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-10-29

which led from the instrument and fol-
lowing where they ran around the end of
the room on the wanScoting. In the
corner farthest from his window of in
gress he found the switch and felt il out
1t a simple cut-out. designed to con-
meet either the office instrument or the
mine telephones with the main wire, as
might be desired. Under the switch stood
a corner cupboard, and in feeIing for the
wire connections on top of the cupboard
Judson found his fingers running lightly
over the bounulng surfaces OF an object
with which he was. unhappily, only too
familiar-a long-necked bottle with the
seal blown in the glass. The corner cup
board was evidently Flemister's side
board.
Almost before he knew what he was
doing Judson had grasped the bottle and
had removed the cork. Here was ie
newed strength and courage, and a swift
clearing of the brain. to be had for the
taking. AT the drawing of the cork the
fine bouquet of the liquor seemed instant
~ TO fill the room with its subtle and in
toXicating essence. With the smell of the
whisky in his nostrls he had the bottle
half way to his lips before he realized
that the demon of appetite had sprung
upon him out of the darkness taking him
naked and unawareS, Twice he put the
bottle down. only to take it up again.
His lips were parched; his tongue ratified
in his mouth, and within there were crav-
ings like the fires of hell. threatening tor
InentS uluI1erdDle lUey SnOuIQ not DE
assuaged.
God have mercy he mumbled. and
then, in voice which the rising fires
had ScOrched to hoarSe whisper IF
drink I'm damned to all eternity; and
if don't take just one swallow Ill never
be able to talk to make GOodlOe
understand me-
1t was the supreme test of the man.
Somewhere. deep down in the soul-abyss
Of the tempted one, a thing stirred. took
shape and AROSE TO help him to tight the
devil of appetite. Slowly the fierce thirst
burned itself out. The invisible hand at
his throat relaxed its cruel grip. and a
fine dew of perspiration broke out thickly
on his forehead. AT the sweating instant
the newly arisen soul-captain within him
whispered. Now, John Judson-once for
all and staggering to the open window
he flung the tempting bottle afar among
the scattered powders waiting until he
had heard the tinkling crash of broken
glass before he turned back to his ap-
pointed task
His hands were no longer trembling
when he once more wound the crank of
the telephone and held the receiver to
his ear. There was answering skirl
of the bell. and then voice said: Hello,
This is Goodloe; what's wanted?''
Judson wasted no time in explanations.
This is Judson-John Judson. ct Ii
Mr.. Iidgerwood's special. Tell Bradford
and Williams to run slow. looking for
trouble. Do you get that"
a confused medley of rumbIings and
clankiEgs crashed in over the wire ana
in the midst of the interruption Judson
heard GOodtoe put down the receiver. In
n fash he knew what was happening at
Little Butte station. The delayed pas
senger train from the west had arrived.
and the agent was obliged to break off
ard attend to his duties.
AnXiously JudSon twrled the crank
again and yet again Since Goodloe had
not cut off the connection, the mingled
c'amor of the station came to the listen
ing ear: the incessant clicking of the tele-
graph instruments on GOOdloe's table the
trundling roar OF a baggage truck on the
station platform. the cacophonOus screech
of the passenger engines pop-valve. With
the phut of the closing safety valve came
the conductors cry of ''All aboard and
then the long-drawn sObS of the big en-
CINE as Crawford started the train. Jud-
son knew that in all human probability
the superintendent special had already
PASSED TimanyOni, the last chance for
Geographic warning; and here was the
passenger slipping away also without
warning.
Goodloe came back To the telephone
when the train clatter had died away,
and took up the broken conversation.
Are YOU there Yet, john" he called.