The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1915-08-09
4 JUNGLE MEETING j,
BY FRANK FILsoN.


Jim Sayres had drifted into the rub
ber camp in the worst stage of Anna
Eon jungle fever. During the lucid In
tervals Harry Treves. the manager,
and son OF the millionaire president OF
the company. had learned thet Jim had
Travelled thousand miles up the river
alone, after his natives had deserted
him. He had gone through incredible
hardships. Worst OF all. he had lost
that desire to live which is the best
Representation Of recovery.
Harry had spent two years out In
the Jungle. His father had insisted
on that before he went home to marry
Ethel and settle down.
Ethel was the daughter OF his faith
er's old business partner. The mar
riage had been arranged" as the
newspapers say,
However. Harry was not to go home
as had been planned. The company
had other interests In Peru. Harry
was to go to Lima as manager there.
and Ethel was to meet him.
But Harry could not leave Jim
5ayres. wanderer and stranger though
he was.
In the fever which followed the de-
iirium he listened to Jim's rawlings.
There had been woman in his life,
Harry gathered. She had been rich,
and he had gone away, FIVE years be-
fore, to make his fortune and to re-
turn and claim her. He had wandered
through Brazil anS the Argentine. up
and down-but he had never begun to
make his fortune.
On the fifth night the camp doctor
shook his head.
THE crisis has arrived" he said
He is not SO LII. but he does not want
to live"
It's that womani" said Harry. hotly.
There's no hope" said the doctor.
He's slipping downhill"
Harry went into the sick mans room.
Jim Sayres lay motionless among the
pillows; his face was deathly white
and his thin hands almost transparent.
1t was evident that he was sunk in the
final stupor.
A file Of natives appeared along
forest path that led down from the
mountains. 1t was small party
Of bearers, proceeding toward the
camp.
The natives. granting. deposited
their loads in the clearing. Four.
bearing hooded stretcher. came to
halt and set down their burden. Out
stepped white woman-Ethel!
She threw herself into Harry's arms
Il thought l would come on from
Lima, Harry" she explained. They
told me that you might be delayed here
for an indefinite time. and / didn't
want to wait. Harry
Il should have started day or two
ago. only there is sick man here-a
stranger. poor fellow, and couldn't
leave him.
Where is he. Harry?" asked Ethel.
IN that tent. But l am afraid It is
all up with the poor chap. He is dying
Of jungle fever. His names Sayres--
Jim Sayres."
The girl released herself from her
lovers embrace and. when she spoke,
her voice was curiously restrained.
Let me see him. Harry. Perhaps 7
can 10 something for him."
The doctor says there Is no hope"
answered Harry. But already Ethel
was walking quickly toward the tent.
Harry waited.
But after half hour he became
alarmed Ethel was still in the tent.
He went softly toward it. He heard
the sound Of voices. ard stood outside.
not venturing to raise the flap.
And 1t was Sayres who was speak.
Ing.
u shall live, dearest" he said. "he
cause l have seen your face again.
Ethel. how have loved you all these
yearsi"
And ] you, JIM" Harry heard her
answer. and The mans face turned to
a craven mask.
But why did you become engaged
to-you have not told me his name.
Ethel. but why did your"
You didn't write. ! thought you
had forgotten me-"
Il had no right to write to ycu." said
Sayres in quiet voice. subdued by
weakness. Il only hoped your love
was true"
"ch, 1t is true, dearest" sobbed the
girl Il never cared for him. But
when thought you had ceased to care
| did not care what happened to me.
And now ! am bound In honor"
In honor?" questioned Sayres.
Then what has brought you to ne
unless Providence means US to be hap.
by together?"
"Jim. you do not know how good
he is. how Il would break his heartl
I must go"
met yet. Ethell Stay with me |
single hour. Because shall never see
you again,"
Softly Harry crept away from the
tent. He called the headman to him.
"You will stay here with six men
to accompany the white lady and Mr.. |
Sayres. wherever they CO." he said. |
The grunting natives took up their
loads. Mounting his horse. Harry rode
at the head. They proceeded fer near
lv an hour tilI thav maro htoh 49,, A.,