The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-07-23
4 JUNGLE MEETING
BY FRANK FilsoN.

| and son of the millionaire presloent y,
! the company, had learned that Jim mao
! travelled a 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
demonstration 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 homo
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
Sayres, wanderer and stranger though
he was.
In the fever which followed the do
lirium he listened to Jim's rawlings.
There had been woman In his lie.
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 and the Argentine. up
and down-but he had never begun to
make his fortune.
On the fifth night the camp doctor
shook his head.
| 1.-THE crisis has arrived" he said.
"He Is not so i'll, but he does not want
to live"
Its that woman" said Harry, hotly
There's no hope" said the doctor.
Hes slipping downhiIl."
| 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.
It was evident that he was sunk in the
final stupor.
| A file Of natives appeared along q
forest path that led down from the
mountains. 1t was a small party
OF bearers, proceeding toward the
camp.
The natives. grunting, deposited
their loads in the clearing. Four.
bearing hooded stretcher, came to q
halt and set down their burden. Out
stepped white woman-Ethel!
She threw herself into Harry's arms
Il thought would come on from
Lima. Harry" she explained. They
told me that you might be delayed here
for an indefinite time, and l didn't
want to wait, Harry"
Il should have started a day or two
ago only there is a 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 1t is
all up with the poor chap. He is diving
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
can do 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 a half hour he became
alarmed. Ethel was still in the tent.
He went softly toward it. He heard
the sound of voices, and stood outside,
not venturing to raise the flap.
And it was Sayres who was speak.
ing.
Il shall live. dearest" he said, be.
cause l have seen your face again.
Ethel, how ! have loved you all these
years."
And l 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 ycu?"
You didn't write. l thought you
had fcrg often me-"
Il had no right to write to you" said
Sayres In a quiet voice, sutiued by
weakness. Il only hoped your love
was true"
"Oh, 1t is true, dearest" sobbed the
girl. l never cared fer him. But
when thought you had ceased to care
did not care what happened to me
Ana now l am bound In honor"
In hcrcr?" questioned Sayres
Then what has brought you to me
unless Providence means us to be han.
py tcgether?"
jim. you do not know how gond
he Is, how 1t would break his heart,
must go"
mot yet, Ethel. Stay with mo
single hour. Because shall never see
you again." Wv
softly Harry crept away from the
tent. He called the hea6man I, him
fcu will stay here with six men
to accompany the white lady and nv
Sayres. wherever they CO." he said
The grunting natives took up their
loads Mounting his horse, Harry rode
at the head. They proceeded for rear
~ an hour, till they we're high uu in
the foothills. Then Harry stopped and
looked back.
In the clear air he saw the tiny tent
far underneath. At the door he tn ,urh,
ne saw a Whitehead woman's firure
standing. She stood a moment and
went back. Au
Harry rode on, the bearers fol,ow,n,
him. And sudden,v on aug