Aunt Janes Nieces in the Red Cross | Page 9

matter of fact, Uncle John was pleased with
the fellow. A whimsical, irrational, unconventional appeal of this sort
went straight to his heart, for the queer little man hated the
commonplace most cordially.
"I'll give you the money on one condition," he said.
"I object to the condition," said Gys firmly. "Conditions are
dangerous."
"My proposition," went on Uncle John, "won't wait for weeks. When
you hear it, if you are not anxious to take it up, I don't want you. Indeed,
I'm not sure I want you, anyhow."
"Ah; you're frightened by my features. Most people with propositions
are. I'm an unlucky dog, sir. They say it's good luck to touch a
hunchback; to touch me is the reverse. Way up North in a frozen sea a

poor fellow went overboard. I didn't get him and he drowned; but I got
caught between two cakes of floating ice that jammed my nose out of
its former perfect contour. In Yucatan I tumbled into a hedge of
poisoned cactus and had to operate on myself--quickly, too--to save my
life. Wild with pain, I slashed my face to get the poisoned tips of thorn
out of the flesh. Parts of my body are like my face, but fortunately I can
cover them. It was bad surgery. On another I could have operated
without leaving a scar, but I was frantic with pain. Don't stare at that
big eye, sir; it's glass. I lost that optic in Pernambuco and couldn't find
a glass substitute to fit my face. Indeed, this was the only one in town,
made for a fat Spanish lady who turned it down because it was not
exactly the right color."
"You certainly have been--eh--unfortunate," murmured Uncle John.
"See here," said Gys, taking a leather book from an inside pocket of the
coat that hung on a peg beside him, and proceeding to open it. "Here is
a photograph of me, taken before I embarked upon my adventures."
Uncle John put on his glasses and examined the photograph curiously.
It was a fine face, clean-cut, manly and expressive. The eyes were
especially frank and winning.
"How old were you then?" he asked.
"Twenty-four."
"And now?"
"Thirty-eight. A good deal happened in that fourteen years, as you may
guess. And now," reaching for the photograph and putting it carefully
back in the book, "state your proposition and I'll listen to it, because
you have listened so patiently to me."
Mr. Merrick in simple words explained the plan to take a hospital ship
to Europe, relating the incidents that led up to the enterprise and urging
the need of prompt action. His voice dwelt tenderly on his girls and the
loyal support of young Jones.

Dr. Gys smoked and listened silently. Then he picked up the telephone
and called a number.
"Tell Hawkins I've abandoned that fishing trip," he said. "I've got
another job." Then he faced Mr. Merrick. His smile was not pretty, but
it was a smile.
"That's my answer, sir."
"But we haven't talked salary yet."
"Bother the salary. I'm not mercenary."
"And I'm not sure--"
"Yes, you are. I'm going with you. Do you know why?"
"It's a novel project, very appealing from a humanitarian standpoint
and--"
"I hadn't thought of that. I'm going because you're headed for the
biggest war the world has ever known; because I foresee danger ahead,
for all of us; but mainly because--"
"Well?"
"Because I'm a coward--a natural born coward--and I can have a lot of
fun forcing myself to face the shell and shrapnel. That's the truth; I'm
not a liar. And for a long time I've been wondering--wondering--" His
voice died away in a murmur.
"Well, sir?"
Dr. Gys roused himself.
"Oh; do you want a full confession? For a long time, then, I've been
wondering what's the easiest way for a man to die. No, I'm not morbid.
I'm simply ruined, physically, for the practice of a profession I love, a
profession I have fully mastered, and--I'll be happier when I can shake

off this horrible envelope of disfigurement."
CHAPTER IV
THE HOSPITAL SHIP
The energy of Doctor Gys was marvelous. He knew exactly what
supplies would be needed to fit the Arabella thoroughly for her
important mission, and with unlimited funds at his command to foot the
bills, he quickly converted the handsome yacht into a model hospital
ship. Gys from the first developed a liking for Kelsey, the mate, whom
he found a valuable assistant, and the two came to understand each
other perfectly. Kelsey was a quiet man, more thoughtful than
experienced in medical matters, but his common sense often guided
him aright when his technical knowledge was at fault.
Captain Carg accepted the novel conditions thrust upon him, without a
word of protest. He might secretly resent