The Montana Doctor's Bride (New Brides of Montana) by Susan Leigh Carlton Read Free Book Online Page A

servant,
    Elizabeth
     
    The guilt of having left his friend and mentor to care for so many weighed heavily on him.  He rekindled his friendship with Silas Farmer and Harry Simpson.  His relationship with the Jack and Letty Owens grew, until he regarded them as dear friends and he became a regular attendee of church.
     
    In the next letter from Elizabeth, he was saddened when she said, in part…
     
    Dear Carter,
    I fear my concern for Doctor Gilbride is valid.  I had occasion to see him professionally and was dismayed at his appearance.  He had a tremor in his hands, and pallor of his face.  Having long been his patient, I suggested he see the doctor in Gaithersburg; a suggestion he dismissed immediately.  He said, “I have no time for such indulgence.”  I fear he is not a well man.
     
    I hope this finds you well, since I have had nothing to tell me otherwise.  Please write.  I long for your letter.
    Your Obedient Servant,
    Elizabeth
     
    The third letter from Elizabeth read:
     
    Dear Carter,
    It is with heavy heart I write this letter.  I have only just returned from the funeral of Doctor Gilbride.  He passed to his reward Saturday last.
     
    One of his patients found his body on Monday.  He was in bed, apparently having passed in his sleep.  I will miss him; he was a good man who had never stopped giving to his friends and neighbors.
     
    This sad occasion has caused me renewed concern for your welfare.  I do wish I could receive an affirmation of your safety.
     
    As for me, I struggle with, but I have regained my appetite, and I feel better than in the recent past.  Carter, please communicate.  I need to hear from you and to know you’re well.
    Your Obedient Servant,
    Elizabeth
     
    Putting the letters aside, he walked over to Bridge Street and the Western Union Office.  He composed a short message… Returned safe and well to Helena.  Letter follows.   He gave the message to the telegrapher and paid the fee, then went home to compose the promised letter. 
    It began…

Chapter 11:  At Home, Safe and Well
    Dear Elizabeth,
    I hope this finds you well.  I too am well, but I am heartsick with the news of Jim Gilbride.  His death came as a shock.  He was my mentor and more than that, he was my friend, as well as my doctor, and I let him down by leaving him with all of the workload.  His concern as always was for his patients, first and foremost, and as my doctor, he knew there was no way I could survive if I stayed in Rockville, and as my friend he understood.
     
    I arrived back in Helena this morning and picked up my mail shortly thereafter.  I was pleased to find several letters from you.  I apologize for not keeping you posted, but there was no way.  I was in the field with an army unit.  In the end, the Bozeman Trail was deemed more trouble than it was worth and closed.  All three forts have now been closed.  An investigative commission found the Indians had been provoked by the miners and the Army.  The treaty returned their lands to them.
     
    It was nice to rejoin my friends and patients with ordinary problems instead of wounds from gunshots and arrows.  My chosen profession has kept me on a collision course with the horrors of war.  I have vowed I will not go to war again.
 
    I look forward to your next letter.
    Sincerely,
    Carter
     
    Carter ’s practice flourished, with most of his services addressing accidents occurring on ranches and mining claims.  He found himself setting a broken bone at least once a week, and treating the occasional gunshot wound due to a drunken brawl in the Last Chance.  An occasional case of influenza, also required attention.
     
    The monotony was broken in the middle of the night, two months after his return.  When he opened the door, a cowboy from one of the neighboring ranches was standing there, hat in hand.  “Doctor,” he began, “I’m Luke Haskins.  I work for Mr. Jamison from the Lazy J.  He asked me to tell you Miz Jamison is