Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1912-06-25
IN A y
SURGEONS COAT
( y - - n
By A. MARIA CRAWFORD
lCopyright, 1913, By Assoeiatsd IAtsrary r,

| The cOtilltOn was over and they
found q table cozily screened with
palms and orange trees In full bios
som. There was a mound Of lilies Of
the valley on the white cloth.
1T looks as II we r1ust be nlching
somebody's happiness," exclaimed
Betty, "for the decorations around
here certainly indicate the expecta
ton of bride and groom"
Gossip. that thing we all despise,
yet to which we all listen. maintains
that you are cast for the role and
that Gregory Rhodes Is to be your
leading man."
IT know It," laughed Betty slipping
a spray OF the lilies through the tur-
quoise and diamonds that held the
laces at her breast. Its a funny
thing how anxious people are to
marry me of to somebody. You re.
member how Aunt Martha tried to
persuade me to take the honorable
Charles in the mountains two years
ago." ..-.. All
Indeed do, and since that time
have never cherished any love for
her. You and l had such great times
together that summer. Lucky thing
for me that you found my coat yes
terday!" ~. gsa..."
1T was a curious Incident. didn't
have time to tell you all about It. 1
was running sister Helen's electric
down quiet street and there. In front
Of me, saw a box. I stopped, picked
It up and imagine my surprise when
I read DR.. Robert Latimer, Townsend
building"
1.-THE messenger must have dropped
it. God bless him!"
"Of course l don't know thing
about this town, so asked police
man to direct me to your ONCE build
Ing. I was curious to know whether
or not you we're the DR.. Latimer l
knew. Why don't you eatr" demand
ed the girl. "See all these good things
that footman brought"
II am so glad to look at you again
and to hear the sound Of your voice
that have forgotten my hunger"
when l went into your once and
saw all those patients lined up
knew that / couldn't wait my time.
for was due at luncheon In less
than an hour, 80 when your attendant
opened the door and called 'Next!' l
gave him my card and asked II l
might see you for just minute
"And I heard your voice and came
out In a hurry. It was great thing
for me to have you OF all people find
| that surgeons coat"
What is a surgeons coat?"
| "A white coat I wear when oper-
ate in my office. ! dare say I look
| like butcher"
Helen says you are eminently sue
cessful and rank with the best old
surgeons here. am SO glad. have
SO often wondered about you"
II wrote to you several times after
left the mountains"
II never received the letters"
NO" he said, because ! was
afraid to post them. Your sister had
married and come here to live, and
everywhere ! turned heard that
you and Gregory were engaged, and
knowing that broken hearts are be-
yond my skill to mend. tried to for
| get you
Betty looked pensive and the young
surgeon resumed: If 1t had not been
for my worldly knowledge Of what
girl In your position wants these days,
would have asked you to marry me
that last night in the mountains. You
remember how we walked up to Para
disc Rock and sudden storm came on
and we took refuge under big tree?"
The Jewels on Betty's breast flashed
as the laces rose and fell with her
uneven breathing. Yes" she an
swered softly.
when the lightning played about
us and the thunder doomed like giant
cannons through the mountains. you
were frightened and IL held you In
my arms"
II was not frightened then"
He looked at her curiously. Betty"
he said, II you had only known how
much greater was the storm going
on in my breast. / wanted you SO.
and now"
II wish l had known" whispered
the girl just as Gregory Rhodes came
through the opening in the palms.
We'll. you gave me a deuce of
slip tonight. Betty. but l see you
found the place intended for you
anyway"
DR.. Latimer pushed back his chair.
"Oh, sit down. Doc, I'm not stop
ping. was just looking around to
find out If Betty had what she want
ed I'll be around to your office to-
morrow to interview you profession
ally. need treatment. Betty Tilted
me this afternoon"
why, Gregory, you have always
known that II" stammered the en-
barrassed girl .. .....
You did ii nicely enough, as nice
" as a thing like that can be done.
I don't mind talking before Doc Lat
inner" said Gregory, with his air of
easy familiarity. He's one of my
best friends. l had this place all