The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-03-08
IN A SURGEONS COAT

TO Betty here again tonight, but thl
fates Milled II other wise"
Perhaps" interrupted the sur
geon. Miss Betty prefers that
should not be tod. =
II don't mind or course GreEoF&
doesn't feel all this pretended grteI
or he would not parade 1t before any
body
"Our families fixed up the mate
years ago. l thought Betty mean
to take me until this afternoon wne1
i had her out sleighing and aske1
her to name the day. Then she said
4 don't expect to marry you. Gregory
I'm old fashioned enough to want
be in love, foolishly in love with thf
man l marry. It's hard on me. foN
people will say"
: only your pride Is hurt. Gregory.
said Betty.
Have it your way. Your siste,
Helen is looking for you. I'm goinQ
now"
May see you tomrrow night7
must. Betty"
"Ill have to tell fh, for we hav@
dinner on at Carey's and dane
somewhere afterward but I'll man
age to have a headache and sfay
home" she promised.
found occasion to say. II saw got
with Miss Betty Gaines last night
suppose you knew that she Tilted
Gregory Rhodes to marry titled foF{
eigner who arrives in New York ~
morrow She met him abroad tti4
summer"
So Betty had ben leadin~ him ID
by the look in her eyes the night be |
fore. He bit savageiy into his cigar
thankful that the dear old gossip had
interviewed to save his pride.
1t was very charming Betty In :
soft clinging whit gown. shorn Of
her JEWS, a sinEi blush ros on he
brest. who greeted the surgeon. Fo1
a eime he sat silent, afraid to trust
his own voice. He glanced At tn
girl, her whole figure bathed in th&
rudy glow from the fire. She seemed
a priestess Of the drawn to Latime{
and he set his teeth and tried I'd
think OF some commonplace topic, bu1
his brain had gone wrong. he con
Guided. and he waited for her I'd
speak.
Has 1t been hard day. Are yoa
very tired" she asked quietly.
The note Of sympathy stirred hi&
anger.
NO." he flung out. work. why.
| work as II my task we're made fol
me- Work IL the one thing in lif&
on which man may confidently de-
pend. 1t In tho only thing that neved
fails him at crucial time"
Why this sudden and vehement
bitterness Bob7"
He had not heard her cali his name
for two years and the sound OF heI
strings Of his heart, but failed to se(
them In tune with her -.ntler spiritJ
Men have their work: women
nothing but amusement. which Il
usually found in making those same
men fools at one time or another. |
never loved but one woman and
loved her because l thought she wa
honest and true"
Are you talking about me. Bob?sl
Betty's eyes were dark with iire.
Today" he said. ignoring, h0S
question: r have heard from Two n
your sister Helen's best friends thai
you are engaged 60 q noblemau Wild
II to arrived in New York tomorrow
Yet last night you allowed me q
make fool OF myself. It hurtsJ
Betty"
Have you no faith In me. viii
you believe the sickl gossip Of idle
women in preference to the truth
from the woman you claim to love =.
II love YOU. Betty. The dream. a
You has helped nae nght and In
measure-win, When found yos2
again, and you were not married, I'm
love fiared up into consuming pa
sion. You arc the only thing I wan
In this world. Do you mean. can yo,l
mean he asked, increduiously. hi1
brain whivling At the look III her faeel
that you are not going to marry thai
foreign .devtl 2"
He leaned over her chair. LOOKING
deep In her eyes
Betty he aid: Betty do YOU
love me -
He lifted her to her feet.
.1s-is that surgeons coat bin
enough for two"
Yes" he whispered. his lips at he'd
white forehead, and the pockets BIZ
enough for Cupid"