The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1920-06-03

had no fdea what his destination would
be, but it would be somewhere out OF
the civilized world, where he would
try to forget and at the same time give
Miss Carrie .Crothers a good oppor-
tunity to think things over and come
to her senses. At the end of a year.
he decided, he would come back and
see If things were different. It was
going to be hard for him, but it would
be harder to stay and take her in
Suits" as he put 1t in conversation
with his aggrieved self.
By chance he picked up a newspa-
per which announced that Thomas
Stevenson, the explorer, was prepar-
ing to sail in a week for Africa on
new expedition.
Austin's eyes frightened. Here was
his chance. He had accompanied
Stevenson on the latter's first explor-
ing journey into the African wilds, and
he would arrange to go with him this
time. Invoking the aid of the tele-
graph, using as the address the name
of StevenSon's favorite hotel in New
York, Austin aseertained that he
would be a welcome addition to the
party.
The young man found the explorer
packing up In his room. There was a
hearty handshake and brief exchange
Of words, and a week later Austin
sailed with Stevenson and FIVE others
for Durham, on the southeastern coast
Of the dark continent.
@11o-,
Zulus and two Hottentots to make up
the remainder Of the expedition and do
the work. Many weeks later found the
party north of the Transvaal, through
which they had passed, and shortly af-
terward they began exploring In earn
est.
Austin understood well before going
that it was a hazardous undertaking
on which he had embarked, for the
dangers from both disease and uncivil-
lied natives, especially the Bushmen,
were many and serious. However, he
wanted excitement to occupy his mind.
The expedition continued for months,
always heading northward, climbing
over mountains and passing through
jungle regions. In many places wild
beasts were to be reckoned with, and
Austin's experience with the elephant
rifle and other weapons stood him In
good stead.
Stevenson wrote constantly concern
ing his observations. He said he was
in quest Of an undiscovered river, hop
ing to rival ROOsevelt's feat in finding
the River of Doubt, and he pushed on
with few rests.
In the vicinity of the Zambezi river
Austin was taken down with jungle fe-
yer. and Stevenson reluctantly detailed
two of his ZuIus to carry him back to
the coast. The journey was long and
laboriOus, but it finally was completed
and Austin was taken into the home Of
a hospitable English settler in a small
colony. Austin was out of his head
most Of the time, but at rare intervals
he came out Of the fever world and
heard snatches of conversation, to
which he sometimes replied, usually
with an erratic remark.
During one OF these near-lncid mo-
ments he heard mans voice.
Hes got to have doctor. and we'd
better summon that woman who ar
rived here last month. They say she's
a regular physician. although I've al
ways been skeptical about the ability
Of woman NJ. D. She's the only med
ic around here, though, so wen have
to have her"
mo woman doctor for miner shout
ed Austin, but, of course, his words
pore no weight with the others.
After weeks Of struggling with the
fever, one morning Austin awoke to
find himself back in the world. He felt
weak, but otherwise no traces of the
disease remained with him. He stared
round in wonder at the strange walls
that surrounded him. Slowly his mem
DRY came back; that is, the part which
dealt with events up to the time the
fever had got a strong hold on him.
Strange jabbering noises outside the
window at his side attracted his at
tention and his eyes encountered a
number Of half-naked black children
engaged in various grotesque forms OF
play.
well, how do you like it?'' said q
gentle voice at the other side OF the
bed.
'The woman DOCTOR" he thought, re-
calling the words he had heard while
in the throes of the fever. Turning
his head slowly he looked into the pale
blue eyes of Carrie Crothers.
'sYoui" he CALCULATED. He was too
astonished to articulate any further
words for moment, but mechanically
he reached out his hand and took the
small one extended toward him.