Beloved Physician (10 page)

I
t was midafternoon in Denver when Dr. Matthew Carroll’s secretary, Hilda Satterlee, entered the Western Union office.

Agent Alex Connor was at his desk behind the counter, tapping out a message on the telegraph key. He smiled at Hilda, holding up the index finger of his left hand to signal that he would be with her shortly. She nodded.

Less than two minutes had passed when Alex finished the message. He arose from the desk and stepped up to the counter.

“Howdy, Miss Hilda. Let me guess. You’re here to send another telegram for your boss.”

She smiled again. “You guessed correctly, Alex. I seldom ever send a telegram myself, so when you see me come through the door, chances are pretty good that it will be another telegram I’m sending for Dr. Carroll.”

Alex picked up a paper pad and a pencil. “All right, who does this one go to?”

“Dr. Dane Logan in Central City.”

“That’s D-A-N-E L-O-G-A-N?”

“Sure is.”

He scribbled it on the pad. “Central City. The
Colorado
Central City, correct?”

“Correct.”

When he had scribbled that down, he said, “All right, what’s the message? As you know, I can write pretty fast, so just spill it out.”

“The message is that Dr. Carroll has agreed on the date for Nelda Cox’s hip replacement that Dr. Logan had requested in his wire this morning.”

He frowned. “This morning? I don’t recall—oh, of course! It came in when I was out of the office earlier.”

“Right. Your able assistant, Chet Mullins, brought it over to us.”

“Okay.” He scribbled some more, then held up the pad for Hilda to see. “Do I have the lady’s name spelled right?”

“Sure do.”

Putting the pad back down and poising the pencil, he said, “All right. Go ahead.”

“The date is next Wednesday, July 20. A week from tomorrow.”

Alex wrote it down. “Go ahead.”

“Dr. Carroll agrees that this will give Mrs. Cox time to get over her trauma from the fall down the stairs. He also agrees that they should come to Denver on Monday. This will give Mrs. Cox a day to rest before the surgery and will give her husband and the Logans an opportunity to rest up from the trip. Dr. Carroll will make reservations for the Logans and Mr. Cox at the Brown Palace Hotel.”

Alex scribbled for a few more seconds, then looked up at her. “Anything else?”

“No, sir. That’s it.”

“All right. That’ll be a dollar twenty-five.”

As Hilda was placing a dollar bill and a quarter in his hand, the telegraph key began to sing out. Alex quickly laid the money on his desk and sat down on the chair. “See you next time.”

Hilda nodded and walked out the door with the sound of the telegraph key ringing in her ears.

In Central City, when Dr. Dane Logan and Pastor Mark Shane came into the office after having prayer over Mike Anderson, they found Dr. Robert Fraser chatting with the people who were waiting to be seen by Dr. Logan.

Fraser excused himself to them and moved up to Dr. Dane. “I understand you’re going to keep Mike here for two days for observation.”

Dane nodded. “That’s right.”

“And you’re planning to spend those nights here with him.”

“Mm-hmm.”

“Well, I know what that’s like. I’m sure you’ve got busy days ahead of you, so I’ll come and stay with Mike these next two nights.”

Dr. Dane grinned and shook his head. “Dr. Fraser, you’re supposed to be retired. You come in here so often already to fill in for me. I can’t ask you to come and stay with Mike those two nights.”

A sly grin curved the aging physician’s lips. “You didn’t ask me. I volunteered. Now don’t argue with me. I’m staying here the next two nights with Mike.”

Pastor Shane laughed. “Well, Dr. Dane, it sounds to me like he’s got it all planned, and no matter what you say, it’s going to remain that way.”

“You got it, Pastor!” said Fraser.

Dr. Dane shrugged. “What can I say?”

Dr. Fraser winked at him. “Just say you’re not going to argue with me anymore about it.”

“Okay. I’m not going to argue with you anymore about it.”

“Good! Then it’s settled.” The silver-haired physician headed for the door. When he reached it and pulled it open, he looked back at Dr. Dane. “I’ll be here just before closing time.”

Late in the afternoon, Tharyn Logan was at her desk in the
doctor’s office when Charlie Holmes came in with a yellow envelope in his hand.

Tharyn gave a warm smile. “Hello, Charlie. Is that telegram Dr. Matthew Carroll’s reply to my husband’s wire?”

“Sure is,” he said, handing it to her.

Tharyn opened a drawer, took out a dollar bill, and placed it in his hand. “Thank you.”

Charlie shook his head. “You don’t need to pay me for bringing it over here, ma’am.”

“Yes, I do. Nadine told me that’s the way Dr. Fraser did it, so that’s the way Dr. Logan will do it.”

Charlie thanked her. Tharyn opened the envelope and read Dr. Carroll’s message. Knowing Dane would want to know what Dr. Carroll had to say on the subject of Nelda Cox’s surgery, she headed toward the examining room where he was with a patient.

A few minutes later, Tharyn returned to the office and sat down at her desk. A smile spread over her face. Her husband had read the telegram and told her that after he took her to dinner at one of Central City’s restaurants this evening, they would drive out to the Cox home and let them know that they would be going to Denver next Monday and the surgery would be on Wednesday.

That evening, just before six o’clock, Cassandra Wheatley and her aunt were sitting on the front porch of the house in rocking chairs, with Cassandra keeping her eyes on the street, watching for Greg Holton to show up.

Mabel was weary as she sat in the rocking chair, barely moving it back and forth. A deep sigh escaped her as she looked at her young niece. Cassandra did look lovely. Mabel had sewed a good part of the day on the dress Cassandra was wearing. She told herself the girl was difficult to please, but finally she had restored one of her dresses to Cassandra’s satisfaction for her date with Greg.

With her eyes still on the girl, Mabel said, “I guess by now word has gotten all over town about how Dr. Dane Logan put himself in jeopardy to save Mayor Andersons life.”

“I would suppose so,” replied Cassandra, keeping her eyes fixed on the street.

“Wonderful man, that doctor. His determination to save Mike’s life and the courage he displayed to defy that gunman so he could do it was really something.”

“I agree, Aunt Mabel. Dr. Logan did a wonderful and marvelous thing.”

“This world needs more men like Dr.—”

“Here he comes!” cried Cassandra, moving up to the railing with her gaze fixed on the buggy that was moving down the street.

As the buggy drew near and Greg guided it into the circular driveway, Cassandra waved. He smiled and waved back.

Greg pulled rein in front of the house, hopped out of the buggy, and bounded up the steps.

“Hello, Mrs. Downing,” he said with a smile. “How are you?”

“I’m fine, Greg,” Mabel replied.

Greg then looked at Cassandra. “Ready to go?”

Eyes flashing with elation, she said, “Yes, I am.”

Mabel said, “Greg, I’d like for you to have Cassandra home by nine-thirty.”

Cassandra was about to object to such an early hour, but she refrained when Greg assured Mabel he would have her home by then.

He took her by the hand, guided her down the porch steps, and helped her into the buggy.

Mabel released another big sigh, pulled herself up from the chair, and moved to the edge of the steps. “Have a nice time!”

They both waved at her, and Greg put the buggy in motion.

Mabel watched them drive away, then turned and entered the house to prepare her own supper. As she made her way into the
kitchen, she couldn’t help but wonder why Cassandra was such a self-centered girl and why she had such a love for money. So much of what came from her mouth was about being rich and living luxuriously.

My sister and brother-in-law are not greedy
, she thought.
I just hope I can help her in some way. The most important thing is to win her to Jesus. Then He could take care of the rest. But that’s not going to be easy. I’ve never seen someone this young so hardened against the Lord and His Word
.

Weary to the bone after working so long on Cassandra’s dress, Mabel tried to think of something quick and easy for her own supper. “I think I’ll just have some bread with butter and jam and some milk, and call it good.”

She sliced some bread, put butter and jam on it, and poured a cup of milk. Sitting down at the kitchen table, she bowed her head, thanked the Lord for her simple nourishment, and asked for wisdom and grace in dealing with her wayward niece.

As Greg turned the buggy onto Main Street with Cassandra holding onto his arm, he said, “I’m going to take you to Central City’s fanciest restaurant, the Golden Eagle.”

“Oh, wonderful! I’ve seen it several times, but I’ve never been inside. Thank you, Greg, for being so good to me.”

“My pleasure, pretty lady.”

Soon they drew up to a hitching post near the restaurant and went inside. After they had been seated by the host and had given their orders to their waitress, Greg ran his gaze over the crowded room and spotted Dr. Dane Logan and the lovely redhead a few tables away. He looked across the table. “Cassandra, did you hear about Mayor Mike Anderson being shot today?”

“Yes, and it was a brave thing that the doctor did.”

“It sure was.” Pointing with his chin, he said, “That’s Dr.
Logan right over there. The good-looking man in the dark suit with that pretty red-headed lady.”

“Oh, so that’s him. I’ve heard a lot about him in the short time I’ve been here.”

“The lady is a nurse from Denver. They got married recently. He did all right for himself, didn’t he? Isn’t she beautiful?”

A stab of intense jealousy pierced through Cassandra, but she masked her feelings. She had become quite adept at making people see her as something other than the self-centered person she really was. “Yes, Greg. She is very beautiful.”

He smiled, reached across the table, and took hold of her hand. “Of course, she isn’t as beautiful as you, Cassandra.”

Those words erased the thoughts she was having about Greg. She blushed and batted her eyelids. “Thank you.”

“I’ve been to Dr. Logan twice since he came here to take over Dr. Robert Fraser’s practice. Both times it was for minor injuries that I sustained on the job. I like him very much.”

The waitress came with their food and placed it on the table.

While they were eating, Cassandra reached deep inside for courage and said, “Greg, I need to have a little talk with you this evening before you take me home.”

Greg glanced up at a clock that hung on the wall. “Unless it needs to be a long talk, we should have plenty of time.”

“N-no. It shouldn’t take but a few minutes.”

“Okay. Since we’re going for a moonlight ride after dinner, we can talk then.”

“All right. That will be fine.”

Greg met her gaze. “Is this about something special I can do for you?”

She swallowed her food. “Well, in a way, yes.”

“Good. I’ve been waiting for something like this.”

Cassandra wished the “something special” was different than it was, but she hoped it would turn out all right.

They ate silently for a couple of minutes; then Greg said, “It must have been terrible for you to lose both parents. It was hard enough for me to lose my mother, but to lose both parents had to be something awful.”

Cassandra felt her stomach cramp. She had her coffee cup to her lips. She took a sip and waved her free hand through the steam that was rising from the cup.

Anything to avoid comment.

Greg grinned. “Really hot, huh?”

She nodded.

Greg was quiet for a few seconds, then said, “I sure am glad I still have Dad. He and I are really close.”

Cassandra took another sip of coffee.

Greg sensed that she would rather not discuss her parents, so he dropped the subject.

Time seemed to pass quickly.

Greg and Cassandra were eating their dessert when they noticed the Logans rising from their table in preparation to leave.

At the same instant, Dr. Logans eyes settled on Greg. He smiled and guided his wife toward their table.

When they drew up, Dr. Dane said, “Hello, Greg. I don’t think I’ve met this young lady.”

Because of Mrs. Logans presence, Greg stood up. “This is Cassandra Wheatley, Doctor. She’s Mrs. Mabel Downing’s niece.”

The doctor smiled at Cassandra. “I had heard that Mabel’s niece had come to live with her. Glad to meet you, little lady.” Taking hold of Tharyn’s hand, Dr. Dane drew her close. “Cassandra, Greg, this is my wife, Tharyn. Honey, this is Greg Holton. His father owns the Holton Coal Mine just west of town. And as you heard, this is Mabel Downing’s niece, Cassandra Wheatley.”

“Happy to meet both of you,” Tharyn said pleasantly.

Greg grinned. “Same here, ma’am.”

“Yes,” said Cassandra. “I’m happy to meet you, ma’am.” She
then looked up at the doctor. “Dr. Logan, you did a very commendable thing in the face of that gunman’s threat this morning. I was glad to hear that Mayor Anderson is going to be all right.”