The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-03-07
THE EVENING STORY
In a Surgeons Coat.
CBy A. Maria Crawford.)


The cotilIion was over and they
found a table cozily screened with
palms and orange trees in full blossom
There was a. mound of lilies of the val
ley on the white cloth.
1t looks as if W must be filchins
somebody's happiness" exclaimed
Betty, flor the decorations around mere
certainly indicate the expectation OF a
bride and groom"
Gossip, that thing we all despise, yet
to which we all listen, maintains that
vo,, are cast for ne role and that
Gregory Rhodes is to be your leading
man"
II know it." laughed Betty slipping
spray of the lilies through the turquoise
and diamonds that held the laces at
her breast. Its a funny thing now
anxious people are to marry me on 10
somebody You remember how Aunt
Martha tried to persuade me to take
the honorable Charles in the mountains
two years ago."
Indeed 1 do. and since that time 1
have never cherished any love for her
You and / had such great times to-
gether that summer. Lucky thing for
me that you found my coat yesterday.
ut was a curious incident. 1 didn't
have time to tell you all about it
was running sister Helen's electric
down a quiet street and there, in front
of me, [ saw q box. I stopped, picked
it up and imagine my surprise when l
read Dr. Robert Latimer, Townsend
building.
'"The messenger must have dropped
it. God bless him.
"Of course 1 don't know thing
about this town, so 1 asked a police
man to direct me to your office build
ing I was curious to know whether or
not you were the DR.. Latimer l knew.
Why don't you eat?" demanded the
girl "See all these good things that
footman Brought
ST am so glad to look at you again
and to hear the sound of your voice
that I have forgotten my hunger"
when 1 went into your office and saw
all those patients lined up L knew that
I couldn't wait my time for 1 was due
at a luncheon in less than an hour, so
when your attendant opened the door
and called Next I gave him my card
and asked if I might see you for just
a minute
"And 1 heard your voice and came
out in a hurry. 1t was great thing
fo- me to have you of all people find
that surgeons coat"
what is a surgeons cOat?''
"a white coat L wear when operate
in my office. I dare say look like a
butcher"
'Helen says you are eminently sue
cessful and rank with the best old sur
geons here. I am so glad. I have so
often wondered about you"
L
left the mountains
II never received the letters
NO" he said. because 1 was afraid
to post them. Your sister had married
and come here to live, and everywhere
I turned I heard that you and Gregory
were engaged, and knowing that broken
hearts are beyond my skill to mend, I
tried to forget you"
Betty looked pensive and the young
surgeon resumed: IF it had not been
r. IL
girl in your position wants these days.
I 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 q big tree?'
The jewels on Betty's breast flashed |
as the laces rose and fell with her I'M |
even breathing. Yes" she answered |
softly.
When the lightning played above us
and the thunder doomed like giant can |
mons through the mountains. you were |
frightened and II held you in my |
arms
Il was not frightened then"
He looked at her curiously. Betty" |
he said, IF you had only known how
much greater was the storm going on |
in my breast. I wanted you so, and |
now"
It wish had known whispered the |
girl just as Gregory Rhodes came |
lh1OuSn lHS OpellluS III the palms.
wei, you gave me deuce of a slip |
tonight, Betty, but see you found the
place intended for you anyway"
DIR. Iatimer pushed back his chair.
"Oh, sit down, Doc, I'm not stopping.
I was just looking around to find out if |
Betty had what she W. 7teG. I'll be |
around to your office tomorrow to in
terview you professionally need
treatment. Betty Tilted me this after
noon.''
why, Gregory, you have always
known that ~ stammered the
embarrassed girl.
You did it nicely enough, as nicely
as thing like that can be done. 1
don't mind talking before Doc Lati-
mer," said Gregory, with his air of easy
familiarity Hes one of my best
friends 1 had this place all fixed up.
for L expected to propose to Betty here
a rain tonight, but the fates willed it
Perhaps interrupted the surgeon.
Miss Betty prefers that I should not
be told
'T don't mind. Of course Gregory
doesn't feel all this pretended grief
body
"Our families fixed up the match
years ago. 1 thought Betty meant
to take me until this afternoon when
had her out sleighing and asked
her to name the day. Then she said,
DRY. I'm old fashioned enough to
want to be in love, foolishly in love
with the man L marry It's hard on
me, for people Will say"
only your pride is hurt Gregory"
said Betty.
Have it your way. Your sister Helen