Free Beloved Physician by Al Lacy Page B

agreement, and the loudest voice was that of Betty Anderson.
    Tharyn said to her husband, “Nadine came in the back door a minute ago, having heard about the shooting incident. She’s watching over Mike at the moment so I can do my work here in the office. Darling, what’s this about your bravery? Exactly what happened out there?”
    Dane’s face flushed again. “Honey, I told the man who shot Mike that I had to get him to the office and treat him immediately or he would die. He pointed his gun at me and told me not to do it. I had no choice. I had to carry Mike here in a hurry. I’m not some hero. I just did what had to be done.”
    Betty moved up close and looked at Tharyn. “Well, he’s a hero as far as I’m concerned. He risked his life to save my husband!”
    Tharyn smiled. “I agree, Betty. Dane has been my hero since we were orphans together on the streets of New York City.”
    Dane smiled at his wife, then said, “Let’s take Betty back so she can take a look at Mike.”
    “You go ahead, honey. I’ll stay here in the office so I can have these patients ready when you’re ready to see them.”
    Dane nodded and led Betty to the back room.
    Tharyn was about to talk to the people who had come into the office without appointments, wanting to know the order they came in, so she could line them up in that order to see the doctor. However her attention was drawn outside when one of the men in the crowd called out, “Mrs. Logan! What’s the mayor’s condition? We want to know how he is!”
    Voices from the crowd pled with her to let them know about Mayor Anderson. She hurried to the door, opened it, and stepped out onto the boardwalk. The crowd went quiet immediately.
    Tharyn let a wide smile capture her face. “Folks, I’m happy to tell you that though Mayor Anderson has been seriously wounded, my husband is certain that he is going to live.”
    There were cheers of elation.
    When the cheers faded, Tharyn said, “My husband and Betty are with Mike right now, but if you want to wait, I’ll ask the doctor to come out and explain the mayor’s condition to you in detail shortly.”
    At that instant, Dr. Dane came out the door with Betty on his heels and moved up beside Tharyn. “I’ll talk to them right now, honey.”
    Betty moved up beside Tharyn, and Tharyn put an arm around her.
    Pastor Mark Shane was in the crowd near the front standing beside Marshal Jake Merrell. All the townspeople knew that Merrell was a Christian, and that Shane was his pastor.
    Dr. Dane explained the details of the wound that Mayor Mike Anderson had sustained, but that he was able to get the bullet out and the internal bleeding stopped in time. He assured them thathe would keep a close watch on him.
    One of the townsmen lifted his voice so all could hear: “Dr. Logan, we all know how you defied that gunman and risked your own life by walkin’ away with Mike in your arms!”
    Tharyn could tell that her husband was embarrassed, but joined with the crowd, applauding him.
    At that moment, Betty Anderson took a step forward and the crowd quickly grew quiet, knowing she wanted to speak to them.
    Betty had tears in her eyes as she spoke of Dr. Dane’s courage. The crowd broke into applause and cheers again.
    When they grew quiet once more, Betty looked at the doctor through her tears, then looked back at the crowd. “This man now has a special place in my heart! From now on, I will call him the beloved physician of Central City!”
    Cheers were raised again, and one man shouted, “Yes! Dr. Logan, to all of us you are the beloved physician!”
    Pastor Mark Shane and Marshal Jake Merrell wove their way through the press to the boardwalk. Pastor Shane said, “Dr. Logan, I would like to go in and pray over Mayor Anderson.”
    Dr. Dane smiled. “Mike is still under the chloroform, Pastor, but you’re welcome to go in. Nadine Wahl is with him at the moment, but Betty and Tharyn and I will go in with you.”
    Marshal Merrell stepped up