One More Sunrise (23 page)

Dr. Fraser was showing keen interest when the waiter arrived with the food.

As the waiter walked away, Dr. Fraser said, “Dr. Logan, Mrs. Fraser and I are born-again Christians, and we always pray before a meal.”

Dane’s face beamed as he smiled from ear to ear. “I’m a born-again child of God too. I never eat a meal without thanking the Lord for His wonderful blessings and provisions.”

The Frasers smiled at each other. “Wonderful! Dr. Logan, will you lead us in prayer, please?” said Dr. Fraser.

They prayed, then while they enjoyed the meal, Dane told them how he came to know the Lord while an orphan in Manhattan when a medical doctor led him to Christ. He went on to tell them of his desire to be a physician and surgeon from the time of his early childhood. He concluded by explaining the yearning he had in his heart to have his own practice.

Feeling God’s leadership in the matter, Dr. Fraser agreed to sell Dane the practice. He would let him buy it by making reasonable monthly payments. Dane offered to give him a check as earnest money before leaving to head back to Cheyenne, and Dr. Fraser accepted it.

Fraser went on to say that he and Esther would be staying in Central City, so he would be available to help young Dr. Logan whenever he was needed. He could fill in when Dr. Logan had to be away—like visiting patients who lived several miles from Central City or when he was doing surgery at Mile High Hospital in Denver.

The Frasers could tell that the young doctor was thrilled with the prospect of taking over the practice.

Dr. Fraser said, “We have an extra bedroom in our house. We would be honored if you would spend the night with us.”

Dane smiled and nodded. “I would be even more honored to do so, sir.”

“Good! We’ll stop by Nadine’s house when we leave here, and I’ll have her postpone tomorrow’s appointments at the office so you and I can go to Denver. I’ll introduce you to Dr. Carroll so you can make arrangements with him for hospital privileges. You know—being able to bring your patients there and to do surgery on them when needed.”

“I really appreciate that, Dr. Fraser.”

“Glad to do it. We’d best get to bed early. We’ll have to leave a little before sunup in order to get to Denver at a decent time.”

“No problem,” said Dane.

Later that night, an excited Dane Logan lay in bed at the Frasers’ house and praised the Lord for the way He was working in his life.

Dawn was a slight hint in the eastern sky the next morning when the two physicians rode toward Denver.

They arrived at Mile High Hospital at midmorning and were welcomed by Dr. Matt Carroll.

After learning Dane’s background in medicine and that Dr. Fraser was going to sell him his practice, it took only moments for Carroll to happily grant Dr. Dane the desired hospital privileges. When Dr. Fraser followed this by telling Dr. Carroll that Dane was a born-again child of God, Carroll became even happier about giving him the privileges.

Carroll then said to Dane, “I’ve heard of your adoptive father and that he is a fine doctor, but I’ve never had the opportunity to meet him. Maybe someday.”

Dane grinned. “Well, if not here on earth, Dr. Carroll, the two of you will meet in heaven.”

“Praise the Lord for that. Well, Dr. Dane Logan, let me give you a tour of our fine hospital. Would you like to tag along, Dr. Fraser?”

“Well, of course.”

Moments later, while the three men were walking down a corridor on the first floor and Carroll was pointing out particulars about the hospital, one of the staff doctors—whose name was Jess White—came out of an examining room. Dr. Carroll stopped him, introduced him to Dr. Dane Logan as the man who would be taking over Dr. Fraser’s practice, then said, “So how did your examination of Elsa Johnson go?”

Dr. White rubbed the back of his neck and replied, “Mrs. Johnson is in dire need of a hip replacement.”

Dr. Carroll’s face showed the concern he felt with this news. “I’ll wire the superintendent at Bellevue Hospital in New York and see if they have a doctor who is qualified to do hip replacements. I know two or three of them went to Germany several months ago to study under Dr. Theodore Gluck.”

Dr. White shook his head. “I’m sure the Johnsons can’t afford to pay a surgeon to come all the way from New York to do the hip replacement, Dr. Carroll.”

“May I say something?” spoke up Dr. Dane.

“Certainly,” said Dr. Carroll.

Dane told Drs. Carroll and White of his learning about hip replacements from Dr. Theodore Gluck while he was a student at Northwestern University Medical College and that he had done a hip replacement on a seventy-two-year-old woman in Cheyenne recently, who was now doing quite well.

While all three doctors were showing their surprise at this accomplishment by the young doctor, Dane said, “Dr. Carroll, I would be glad to do the surgery on Mrs. Johnson if you, Dr. White, the patient, and her family will allow me to do it.”

Dr. Carroll asked, “Did you do the replacement with an ivory ball like Dr. Gluck does?”

“Yes, sir. When I did the surgery on the lady in Cheyenne, I ordered some extra ivory blocks so whenever I was called upon to do more hip replacements, I would have them on hand. If I’m given permission to do the surgery, I’ll wire my father immediately and have him take one of the ivory blocks to the railroad station and put it in the hands of the conductor on the evening train. That way, I’ll have it yet tonight.”

Dr. Jess White said, “Dr. Logan, as far as I’m concerned, you can do the surgery. Mrs. Johnson’s son and daughter-in-law are in the room with her right now. You can go talk to all three of them.”

“Let’s do it,” spoke up Dr. Carroll. “I’m behind you on this 100 percent, Dr. Logan.”

Dane smiled. “Thank you. How old is Mrs. Johnson?”

“She’s sixty-three,” said Dr. White. “Dr. Carroll, since you’re the head man here, why don’t you go in with Dr. Logan? Dr. Fraser and I will wait here.”

“All right. Let’s go, Dr. Logan.”

Dane followed Dr. Carroll into the room, and was introduced to the patient and her family. Dr. Carroll explained to them that Dr. Logan learned how to do hip replacements with ivory balls from the famous German surgeon, Dr. Theodore Gluck, while a student at Northwestern University Medical College in Chicago. He told them that Dr. Dane was in partnership with his father, Dr. Jacob Logan, in Cheyenne, and that Dr. Dane had quite recently done a successful hip replacement on a patient in Cheyenne.

All three were quite impressed, and Dr. Dane was immediately given permission to perform the surgery on Elsa Johnson. He explained how he would get an ivory block from his father yet tonight, then told them he would do an examination on Elsa first thing in the morning so he could carve the ivory ball the proper size, then he would proceed with the surgery. Elsa was filled with hope.

Drs. Carroll and Logan returned to Drs. White and Fraser, and Dr. Fraser then took Dane to the Western Union office where he wired his father.

Dr. Fraser also wired his wife, advised her of what was happening, and asked her to let Nadine know. He would stay until the surgery was done in the morning, then he would head for home.

That night at eleven-thirty, Dr. Dane picked up the ivory block at Denver’s Union Station, and he and Dr. Fraser were given rooms to sleep in at the hospital.

At eight o’clock the next morning, Dr. Dane Logan was scrubbing up in the surgical washroom in preparation to make his examination, carve the ivory ball, and do the surgery.

At the same time, Dr. Matt Carroll moved up to the nurses’ station in the surgical wing. There were two nurses behind the counter. They both smiled and greeted him with a friendly good morning.

Returning the smile, he said, “And good morning to you, ladies. Do either of you happen to know where Nurse Tabor is?”

“Yes, sir,” said one of them. “Tharyn is in room 212 with a patient.”

“Thank you,” said Carroll.

Just as he was approaching room 212, Tharyn Tabor came out. “Oh! Good morning, Dr. Carroll.”

“Good morning, Tharyn. I need you to assist a doctor who is going to do a hip replacement on Elsa Johnson this morning. You met her yesterday when she was being admitted.”

“Yes, sir.”

“I’ll see that any assignments you have are taken care of by another nurse.”

“All right, Doctor.” Tharyn’s brow furrowed. “I didn’t know there was a doctor in Denver who was qualified to do hip replacements. Who is it?”

“He’s not a Denver doctor. He is Dr. Logan from Cheyenne, and he definitely is qualified. Dr. Logan is buying Dr. Fraser’s practice in Central City. He happens to be here because Dr. Fraser brought him so I could grant him hospital privileges when he takes over his practice. Mrs. Johnson and her family have requested that Dr. Logan do the hip replacement, and I want you to be the one to assist him.”

“I’ll be glad to. Doctor?”

“Yes?”

“I’ve heard of Dr. Jacob Logan in Cheyenne and of his very successful practice. I’m wondering why he would sell his practice where he is doing so well and move to Central City.”

Carroll grinned. “He isn’t. This doctor I want you to assist is
Dr. Jacob Logan’s son, who at the moment is a partner in the Cheyenne practice.”

“Oh, I see. All right. I have a couple of things to take care of. I’ll be there in about five or six minutes.”

“Good. Mrs. Johnson’s in operating room 3. I’ll go tell Dr. Logan I’m sending him my best surgical nurse.”

Tharyn blushed and smiled modestly. “Thank you for your confidence in me, Doctor.” With that, she hurried away.

Dr. Carroll entered operating room 3 and found Dr. Dane Logan preparing to do the surgery.

Elsa Johnson rolled her head on the slender pillow and smiled. “Good morning, Dr. Carroll. I’m so encouraged. I just know Dr. Logan is going to make it so I can walk again.”

Carroll smiled down at her. “I have no doubt about it, Mrs. Johnson.”

Dr. Carroll noted the ivory ball that lay in a sterilized metal container. “Got it carved, I see.”

“Yes,” said Dr. Dane. “I’ll be ready in a few more minutes. I assume my assisting nurse will be here soon.”

“Yes. I’m giving you an experienced surgical nurse to assist you. She is young, but very, very good. In fact, Nurse Tabor is the number one surgical nurse in this hospital. She’ll be here in about five minutes. I’ll excuse myself now. I have some people waiting to see me in my office. Mrs. Johnson’s son and daughter-in-law are in the surgical waiting room.”

Dr. Dane nodded. “I’ll see them immediately after I’m done with the surgery.”

Moments later, Tharyn Tabor hurried down the corridor, entered the surgical wing, and made her way to operating room number 3.

When she entered the room, she saw the young surgeon leaning over his patient. Hearing the door open, he turned and glanced
up at her as she moved toward him. “Dr. Logan, I’m Tharyn Tabor. Dr. Carroll sent me to—”

Suddenly their eyes met.

Tiny, tingling currents scintillated through Dane’s chest. It had been nine years. The beautiful redhead had matured, but he knew her. “Tharyn!”

Tharyn’s eyes were wide, and her mouth was moving. But no sound would come out.

The silence in the room was an almost solid thing, then blinking, she found her voice and choked out, “D-Dane? Is … is it really you?”

T
heir hearts racing, Dane Logan and Tharyn Tabor stood for a timeless moment, looking at each other.

Elsa Johnson observed the scene from the operating table.

Finally, Dane said, “Yes, little sis. It’s me. This is like a dream. It
is
really you, isn’t it?”

“Yes,” Tharyn said, “b-but Dr. Carroll said you’re Dr. Jacob Logan’s son. I—”

“He and his wife adopted me.”

Hardly daring to believe his eyes, Dane moved toward Tharyn, drinking in her loveliness. “I—I want to catch you up on all that has happened to me, and I certainly want to hear your story. But right now we’ve got Mrs. Johnson on the operating table.”

“Dr. Logan?” came Elsa’s voice.

He looked at her over his shoulder.

She smiled at him. “It’s all right. Take a few minutes. I’m not going anywhere.”

Dr. Dane smiled back. “Thank you, ma’am. We’ll make it brief.”

“Are you two long-lost brother and sister?”

“Not actually. We knew each other when we were teenagers and living as orphans on the streets of New York City. We sort of
adopted each other as brother and sister. I was arrested for a crime I did not commit and was put in prison. Tharyn was put on an orphan train shortly thereafter, and we lost track of each other. Over nine years have passed since then.”

“Oh, I see.”

“We’ll take just a few minutes; then we’ll get on with your surgery.”

Elsa nodded. “That will be fine.”

Dane turned back to the lovely young woman with the auburn hair and sky blue eyes. “I was cleared of the crime, Tharyn, when they found the real killer. I was released from the prison on November 16 of that same year: 1871. I left New York on an orphan train in January 1872, and on that trip I met Dr. and Mrs. Jacob Logan on the train. Since I’m making the story short … they took me home to Cheyenne and adopted me. They are fine Christian people, and it was a wonderful home in which to finish growing up. My new parents sent me to Northwestern University Medical College in Chicago. After graduation, I did two years’ internship at Cheyenne’s Memorial Hospital, then back in May of this year I was taken in as partner in my father’s practice.”