The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-06-17
IN A
SURGEONS COAT
BY A. MARIA CRAWFORD

NS0pySaSos, sH1s " Assocesso L'ssssV Ere4)
The cotillion 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 riust 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 slipping
spray of the lilies through the tur.
quOise and diamonds that held the
laces at her breast Its funny
thing how anxious people are to
marry me Off 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 I
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 curious II cident didn't
have time to tell you all about it. l
was running sister Helen's electric
down a quiet street and there. In front
Of me, I saw box stopped, picked
It up and imagine my surprise when
read DR.. Robert I.atimer, Townsend
building"
THE messenger must have dropped
It. God bless HIM"
"Of course | don't know thing
about this town, so | asked police
man to direct me to your ONCE build.
Ing. l was curious to know whether
or not you were the DR.. Latimer I
knew Why don't you eat?" demand
ed the girl. See all these good things
that foOtman brought"
Il am 80 glad to look at you again
and to hear the sound Of your voice
that have forgotten my hunger"
when I went into your Office and
saw all those patients lined up |
knew that | couldn't wait my time.
for I was due 1t q luncheon in less
than an hour. so when your attendant
opened the door and called Next I
gave him my card and asked II !
might see you for Just minute"
And I heard your voice and came
out in q 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 wear when | oper.
ate In my Office. dare say 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"
Il wrote to you several times after
| left the mountains"
IL 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 pensivc and the young
surgeon resumed: III II had not been
for my worldly knowledge of what a
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 lietty's breast flashed
as the laccs rose and fell with her
uneven breathing. Yes. she an
swered softly.
When the lightning played about
! us and the thunder doomed like giau,
cannons through the mountains, You
c were frightened and IL held you in
my arms.
Il was not frightened then"
lie looked at her curiously Betty.
) he said. III you had only known how
much greater was the storm goins
on in my breast. wanted you SO
and now"
Il wish I had known" whispered
the girl just as Gregory Rhodes cam,
through the opening In the palms
Well. you gave me deuce of {
slip tonight. Betty. but see 20,
found the place intended for 20,
anyway"
M. Latimer pushed back his chair
"Oh, sit down. Doc. I'm not stop
ping. was just looking around {,
and out II Betty had what she wan,
Cd. I'll be around to your once 10
morrow to interview you profession
ally. l need treatment. Betty j.,,e,
me this afternoon"
Why. Gregory. you have Away
known that IL" stammered the en-