The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-04-11
IN A
SURGEONS COAT
By A. MARIA CRAWFORD

palms and orange trees in full bios
som. There was a mound of lilies of
the valley on the white cloth.
1T looks as il We Elust be filching
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."
Il know it," laughed Betty slippins
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."
Indeed l do. and since that time !
have never cherished any love for
her. You and had such great times
together that summer. Lucky thing
for me that you found my coat yes
terday."
1T was a curious II cident. l didn't
have time to tell you all about 1t. !
was running sister Helen's electric
down a quiet street and there, in front
Of me, l saw box. ! stopped, picked
it up and imagine my surprise when
l read DIR. Robert Latimer. Townsend
building"
The messenger must have dropped
It. God bless him"
"Of course don't know a thing
about this town. so asked a police.
man to direct me to your office build
ing. was curious to know whether
or not you were the DIR. Latimer
knew. Why don't you eat?" demand
ed the girl. See all these good things
that foOtman brought"
Il am SO glad to look at you again
and to hear the sound OF your voice
that | have forgotten my hunger
When | went into your Office and
saw all those patients lined up
} knew that | couldn't wait my time,
for l was due at luncheon In less
than an hour, so when your attendant
opened the door and called Next"
) gave him my card and asked II
might see you for just minute"
And | heard your voice and came
out in a hurry 1t was n great thine
for me to have you of all people IND
that surgeons coat"
What is surgeons coat"
"A white coat wear when oper
; ate In my Office. dare say l lo0l
like a butcher"
Helen says you are eminently sue
cessful and rank with the best OLE
surgeons here am SO glad. l have
J so often wondered about you"
Il wrote to you several times ate
| left the mountains"
Il never received the letters.
) NO" he said, because | wa
. afraid to post them. Your sister hat
married and come here to live, ant
, everywhere | turned l heard tina
) you and Gregory were engaged. AM
knowing that broken hearts are be
} yond my skill to mend, | tried TO fOl
\ get you.
Betty looked pensive and the youn
. surgeon resumed: IF II had not bee
for my worldly knowledge of what
girl in your position wants these days
| would have asked you to marry IN
that last night in the mountains. 70
remember how we walked up to Para
disc Rock and a sudden storm came o
and We took refuge under big tree?
The Jewels on Betty's breast flashe
az the laces rose and fell with he
uneven breathing Yes" she al
swered softly.
when the lightning played abou
us and the thunder doomed like gian
cannons through the mountains. 20
we're frightened and IL held you
my arms"
IL was not frightened then
He looked at her curiously. Betty,
he said, IL you had only known ho'
much greater was the storm goin
on in my breast. wanted you 81
and now"
Il wish | had known" whispere
the girl just as Gregory Rhodes cam
through the opening in the palms.
well, you gave me a deuce OF
slip tonight, Betty, but | see yo
found the place intended for 70
anyway"
DR.. Latimer pushed back his chat
"Oh, sit down, Doc, I'm not stol
ming. | was just looking around
find out II Betty had what size wan
ed. I'll be around to your office t
morrow to interview you profession
ally. I need treatment Betty jilte
me this afternoon.
why, Gregory, you have alway
known that ~" stammered the en-
, barrassed girl.
!. You did 1t nicely enough, as mic
/. " As q thing like that can be don
don't mind talking before Doc La