Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1920-08-27
PART il--continued.


less operator repeated at twenty-five
cents word, including the address
and signature, the message to Iris
Ford. But there was no reply. win
was getting desperate, and showed II,
when the operator remarked:
Here's somethlng-mebbe this Is
It."
Win braced up. But after a bit OF
the metallic chattering, Mansel again
shook his head. mot for you-for
the captain"
"For the captain" Wins tone was
eager. THAT'S the stuff" He was
thinking Of orders from the officers
of the line.
The operator transcribed the mes
sage, put 1t In an envelope, and went
off TO deliver 1t himself. When he
came back he conhded the informa-
ton: I'm going to send a message
from the captain-about YOU" That
was all, but it raised the wavering
spirits of the young man who would
not leave the upper deck.
There was another tedious delay.
Finally, along about five o'clock, there
were the auditory evidences of the
approach of winged message. Then
further delay while the wireless OPP
orator played his important part In
The space-conquering trick.
"Sorry, but it's not for you. For
the captain again." he volunteered.
might be just as good,' said Win,
'perhaps better"
The operator didn't reply. He went
away to deliver the message and was
gone ages" Returning, he Informed
the good waiter that, the captain
would like to see him.
Win Shute was off to the bridge as
he might have started for second.
High ran his hopes, He could almost
feel the ship slowing down!
The captain invited him into the
chartroom and closed the door With
out a word he handed him Marconi-
gram, which ran:
Captain, S. s. Colonia:
"Must be some mistake. Our player
Shute here in game today.
"TRIs FORD"
After reading 1t over second time
to make sure, the captains visitor,
shaking his head doggedly spoke in
no uncertain voice.
1.-THE mistake is in the message,
Trs Ford never sent it,
"Why not?" asked the captain indul-
gently.
"Why not? 1t shows on Its face why
not. 1t says was in the game today
And I'm on this ship"
"Slt down." said the captain, who
paused until his invitation had been
accepted. "Mr. James"
"My name isn't James-it's Shute.'
swell. then, Mr.. Shute, If you prefer
It." said the captain, wishing to humol
his guest, II have made a careful In
quiry about you. Your room steward
reports, and the quartermaster or
duty at the gangway confirms 1t, thai
you came aboard intoxlcated-1 may
say, were brought aboard drunk"
ats a lie. Was never drunk In my
Ilfe-never took drop of liquor II
my life. What happened, was gver
knockout-brought aboard drugged.
The captain appeared puzzled, thei
continued II hardly think so, Mr.
James"
"Shutew
Mr.. Shute. The ships docto
examined you at the request OF you
friends, after you were assisted
aboard. He reports that he foun
you In an advanced state of intoxica
ton. Your friends said that you ha,
been celebrating unwisely before sail
ing"
II tell you it's lie."
"Mr. Shute, II you are not incllne
to take my view Of this unfortunat
circumstance, you will have to be sen
where you will be looked after.
mean that If you don't stop your nor
sense and behave yourself. will orde
you to the hospital. Good morning.
Win Shute had never been put gu
of game in his life, He eyed tn
umpire" of the high seas critical
and turned to go. But, like the aver
age ball player, he couldn't leave tn
D "neld'' without the last word.
Captain, you've got mel acknow
edge that. And I'm not going to max
any trouble for you-not while your
managing the ship. But once W
strike dry land promise you III stai
a brand of trouble that will bring u
on this boat, I've been drugged-
repeat It. And there's been the dirt
est kind of frame-up against mi
What's more, that message you hol
in your hand is pure fake. Eithe
the man who sent 1t or the man VIII
received it Is crook-take you
choice"
Before the captain Of the Coloni
could reply, S. w. James, or, as he d.
manded to be called, j. w. Shute, swl
gone.
Quick thinking was portion of h
business In life In less than the di
lance from home to first base he ha
definitely outlined his plan of actio
OF course he would give the head ma
of the ship no cause to resort to WI
measures; that would be slHy--wors
than kicking yourself out of b
game which you might help to wi
No, stree! He would stand Il
"James"-he would be s. w. Jane
Quietly, but none the less decisivel
he would devote himself to an unem
BIG RICE SURPLUS IN CHIN