Read Online The Doctor Takes a Wife by Elizabeth Seifert - Free Book Online Page B

around the tomb of the donor, promised that his some-day home would have ginkgo trees. The zoo—he remembered that from his childhood. “This is an honorable city; it fosters a child ’ s memories.” In search of the home where his mother had lived — she ’ d died when Phil was fifteen—he tramped the sidewalks of the private squares, “Places” they were called, in St. Louis. Magnificent, horrendous and beautiful homes stood in them. But Vandeventer Place was gone. Oh, woe!
    “They ’ ve had the grace to make a museum-monument of one fine home here. It stands serene in the expensive heart of the city.” He sent me pictures of the Campbell house with the suggestion that Berilo do the same sort of honor to one of the big houses on Spring Avenue.
    He took a lengthy bus trip into the County because he ’ d been told of the tremendous growth in that direction. Again he was impressed with the fine homes, the air of gracious, unhurried living—as well as the prosperity. And recognition of modern needs.
    “They ’ ve planted their roots deep into the rich earth of their past, and grown upward and outward in a handsome fashion.” This on a card showing the McDonald Air Craft Factory. I felt that he ’ d gone there because of Min ’ s test - pilot companion. But he didn ’ t mention the chap again. Or Min.
    Phil had chosen to go to St. Louis because of his memories of the city. He had used his father ’ s contacts to secure his place in the Boone Group. On his arrival, he had written a short note to an old friend of his father ’ s. This man—Dr. Samuel Lowry—was famous around the world as a surgeon of imagination and skill, and noted within his profession for his long labor at establishing the standard requirements for specialist-qualifications. Only the year before, this man had retired as Chief Surgeon of the Boone Group. Phil knew him slightly, his father having at one time brought the great man to their home.
    Phil decided, with the doctor retired, it would not seem like apple-polishing to send him a note of friendliness. On Sunday he went to service at the Cathedral—loving that, too! He sent me a picture of the reredos. “I ’ m a push-over for carved wood. You don ’ t need a sermon preached in this church.”
    When he came into the hotel, he found a message that he was to telephone Dr. Lowry. He did this, and the old man ’ s hearty voice said he was delighted to know that Bob ’ s son was in the city; he was to come out to the “place” for supper and the evening. A crowd of his hungry friends had made a habit of such get-togethers—perhaps Phil would enjoy it. Phil accepted and turned to the desk clerk for directions.
    “My goodness, Dr. Scoles, that ’ s way out in the north part of the county! Those homes overlook the Missouri river. I guess it could be reached by bus—about six of ‘ em. Take all afternoon. Wait a minute ...” He consulted a map. Even with the six buses, Phil would still be a mile from his destination. “I ’ d advise a taxi, sir.”
    Phil started about four—dressed in one of his becoming brown suits, with a brown knit tie. He isn ’ t a strictly handsome guy, but he ’ s big, and his smile is a wonder. That smooth reddish hair, the way his eyes crinkle shut and one eyebrow quirks up quizzically, and his big mouth with those fine, even teeth. And his interest in other people makes everyone like him at once.
    Given his destination, the taxi driver warned him that the trip would be costly. “You take many trips out Jamestown Road,” the man advised, “you can buy your own hack.”
    “This may be my one and only trip.”
    “They all docs out there. Bunch of ‘ em bought up the whole district, and then divided it up. Looks like they wanted their own folks—got their own church and all. Docs must be different from hackies. Me, when I ’ m off the job, I ’ d rather talk to guys in another line of work.”
    Phil agreed that such was a good idea, and leaned