The Red Cloud chief., 1912-03-28
In a Surgeons Coat

BY A. MARIA CRAWFORD


found a 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.
ut looks as II we Lust be filching
somebody's happiness" exclaimed
Betty. for the decorations around
here certainly indicate the eSpecta'
tion OF bride and groom"
Gossip, that thing we all dcspise.
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 slipping
spray OF the lilies through the tur-
quoise and diamonds that held the
laces ut her breast. ITS 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 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 IL Cident. ] didn't
have time to tell you all about 1t. ]
was running sister lelcn's electric
down a quiet street and there. In front
of me. | saw box. stopped, picked
IN n auin ma
! read DR.. Robert Latimer. Townsend
building"
"The messenger must have dropped
1t. God bless him!"
"Of course l 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 DR.. 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 ant
saw all those patients lined up
| hUcW tnat CouiuH "dt my Nhhe
for ] was due at luncheon In les:
than an hour. so when your attendan
opened the door and called Next!
gave him my card and asked II
might see you for just minute"
And l heard your voice and cam,
out in hurry. 1t was great thin,
for me to have you Of all people fint
that surgeons coat"
What Is a surgeons coat?"
"A white coat ! wear when ! oper
ate in my office. l dare say lool
like butcher"
Helen says you are emirently sue
cessful and rank with the best oil
surgeons here. am so glad hav'
so often wondered about You"
Il wrote to you several times afte
left the mountains"
Il never received the letters"
NO" he said, because wa
afraid to post them. Your sister hat
married ard come here to live. ant
everywhere I turned heard tha
you and Gregory were engaged. ant
knowing that broken hearts are be
yond my skill TO mend. tried to fol
set you
Betty looked pensive and the youni
surgeon resumed: IF 1t had not beel
for my worldly knowledge OF what
girl in your position wants these days
| would have asked you to marry m
that last night In the mountains. Yo
remember how We walked up to Para
disc Rock and sudden storm came o.
and we took refuge under big tree?
The jewels on Betty's breast fashe
as thu laces rose and fe,! 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
were frightened and IL held you Il
my arms"
~ was not frightened then"
He looked ct her curiously. Betty.
he said. If you had only known no,
much greater was the storm goin
on in my breast. wanted you sc
and now"
II wish ! had known" whispere
the girl just as Gregory Rhodes cam
through the opening in the palms.
We'll, you gave me deuce OF
slip tonight. Betty. but see 20
found the place ! intended for 20
anyway"
Dr. Latimer pushed back his chail
"Oh, sit down, Doc. I'm not stoy
ping. was just looking around t
find out II Betty had what size wan
ed. I'll be around to your office t
morrow to interview you profession
ally. ! need treatment. Betty jilte
me this afternoon"
why. Gregory, you have alway
known that IL" stammered the en-
barrassed girl.
You did 1t nicely enough. as mic,
~ as a thing like that can be don,
,, I don't mind talking before Doc La