The Heart Remembers

by Al Lacy

  The doctor squinted at him. “I asked you a question, Elmer.”

  Dines cleared his throat. “Well, this was done in the Civil War because—because it was the humane thing to do.”

  “That’s right. When I became a physician and surgeon, I took the Hippocratic oath, which states in the very first line, ‘I swear I will prescribe treatment to the best of my ability and judgment for the good of the sick.’ Elmer, it doesn’t say ‘for the good of the sick unless they are my enemies.’ It says ‘for the good of the sick.’ As a Christian, as a human being, and as a doctor who was serious about my oath, I treated Latawga’s wound because it was the right thing to do.”

  Another man in the crowd called out, “God bless you, Dr. Logan! From what Marshal Merrell has told us, because of your compassion, Chief Tando and his people will never again make war against us!”

  Chief Tando stepped up beside the doctor, raised his hand as if making a promise, and smiled.

  Suddenly the crowd broke into cheers and people called out their blessings on Dr. Dane Logan.

  Tharyn stood behind her husband and wept with pride and joy.

  Mayor Anderson looked at Tharyn’s tears, then stepped to the forefront and said to the crowd, “I’m so glad that God sent Dr. Logan and his dear wife to our town!”

  Standing close by were Pastor Mark Shane and his wife.

  People were cheering the mayor’s words when Pastor Shane stepped on the boardwalk and asked the mayor if he could say something. Anderson motioned for him to do so, and took a step back.

  “Folks,” Shane said loud enough for all to hear, “I must say with Mayor Anderson that I am glad the Lord brought Dr. Logan and Tharyn to Central City. Together they are such a blessing to the people of this town and this part of the mountains.”

  There were loud cheers.

  While the cheering was going on, Tharyn moved up and took hold of her husband’s hand, smiling up at him.

  Dane squeezed her hand, kissed her forehead, then turned toward the crowd. He waited for the cheering to subside, then said, “Folks, before we came out of the office, I asked Chief Tando if he would speak to you. He graciously agreed to do so. Please listen to him. When he is finished, you will all understand why I asked him to address you.”

  The chief stepped up beside the doctor, ran his gaze over the faces of the crowd, and cleared his throat nervously.

  TWELVE

  Chief Tando ran his dark gaze over the faces of the crowd and saw a mixture of friendliness, hatred, and skepticism. His heart pounded wildly and felt heavy in his chest.

  He cleared his throat again and said, “I … I wish to tell all of you how Dr. Dane Logan so deeply touched me, my squaw, and the people of my village.” He turned and looked at Dr. Dane. “This white doctor not only did his best to save my son Latawga’s life, but he actually brought him home, not knowing for sure what we—his avowed enemies—would do to him. He showed us genuine love.

  “I want to say that it was Dr. Dane Logan’s love and kindness to my son that showed me that all white people do not hate the Indians.”

  The chief drew a shaky breath. “I want to tell you that earlier this week I went to Fort Junction with Dr. Dane Logan and Chief Ouray. It was Chief Ouray who tried to persuade me to make peace with the white men many grasses ago. At Fort Junction, I signed a peace treaty before General Joseph G. Dayton and Colonel Perry Smith. My people and I are at peace with the whites, and you can all thank Dr. Dane Logan for it.”

  Several people applauded, calling out the name of Central City’s physician.

  The chief then turned and shook hands with the doctor white-man style. The people cheered, and the applause grew louder.

  Mayor Mike Anderson stepped to the forefront again, shook hands with the chief, then waited for the applause and cheering to subside.

  When he was sure everybody could hear him, Anderson said, “Well, folks, this has been a banner day in our town. And when the news spreads, there’ll be banner days all over this part of the country.” He paused briefly. “It’s time, now, to get on with our business.”

  There was a rumble of voices as the crowd broke up and people began moving away.

  Elmer Dines stepped up to the physician and said, “Dr. Logan, I want to apologize for my crass words about letting the Indian die. I was wrong.”

  Dr. Dane smiled at him and shook his hand. “Apology accepted, Elmer.”

  For several minutes Central City’s citizens approached Dr. Dane and Tharyn individually and in small groups, speaking their words of love and appreciation for them.

  Moments later, Nandano carried Latawga out of the office under Dr. Dane’s guidance and placed him on the travois as the few citizens left looked on. In Latawga’s hand was another bottle of carbolic acid.

  Already feeling better, Latawga looked up at the physician and said, “Thank you, Dr. Dane Logan, for your kindness once again.”

  Dr. Dane smiled and laid a hand on Latawga’s head. “You are very welcome. If you should need me again, your father knows to bring you back.”

  Chief Tando finished tying his son to the travois, then turned to Tharyn, looking at her with soft eyes. “I wish to thank you for being a helper to your husband.”

  She smiled and nodded.

  Tando then turned to the doctor. “Dr. Dane Logan, I must agree with what was said here today by Mayor Mike Anderson and that other man. I am very glad that white man’s God brought you and your wife to Central City.”

  Dr. Dane glanced at Pastor Mark Shane, who was standing near with Peggy. Pointing with his chin at Shane, he said, “The other man, Chief Tando, is my pastor. His name is Mark Shane.”

  The preacher stepped up and offered his hand, and Tando shook it.

  Dr. Dane felt Tharyn squeeze his arm. He looked down at her, and she smiled. He smiled back, then set his gaze on the Indian. “Chief Tando, I appreciate what you said about white man’s God, but let me say to you that white man’s God is also red man’s God. There is only one true God, and He created us all.”

  Pastor Shane said, “Chief Tando, the one true God gave us a Book to guide us to Him, and to guide us through this life. We call it the Bible. You spoke of Dr. Logan’s genuine love that was shown to you and your people, his avowed enemies.”

  Chief Tando nodded.

  “I want you to know, Chief, that when Dr. Logan saved your son’s life and brought him to your village—even though he was not sure what you and your people would do to him—that genuine love you saw was a result of what God’s Bible taught him.

  “Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, is quoted in God’s Bible as saying to His followers, ‘Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you.’ The Bible also says, ‘If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink.’ ”

  Tando met the preacher’s steady gaze. “This is very good. I have never heard such words before.”

  Dr. Dane laid a tender hand on the chief’s shoulder. “Chief Tando, I would like to talk to you sometime about my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and His Book.”

  The chief let a smile curve his lips. “This that I have heard today has captured my interest. You are welcome to come to my village at anytime.”

  “Thank you. I want to come and look at Latawga’s wound in a week or so. When I come, you and I can talk.”

  “I will look forward to your visit, Dr. Dane Logan.”

  The Logans and the Shanes stood side by side and watched as the Indians mounted up and rode south out of town.

  Tharyn looked up at her husband with misty eyes. “I have a feeling the Lord is going to use you to bring Chief Tando to Him.”

  “Me, too,” said Pastor Shane.

  “I feel that way, myself,” Dane said. “We’ll pray to that end.”

  The two couples bid each other good day, and as Dane and Tharyn headed back for the office, he put his arm around her and drew her up close to his side. “Before I go to Chief Tando’s village, you and I should spend a good deal of time pra
ying about it.”

  “We will, sweetheart,” she said softly.

  As they passed through the door, Dane said, “I’ll certainly need the power of the Holy Spirit when I talk to Chief Tando. He and his precious people are so steeped in their pagan religion, it won’t be an easy task to break down their false beliefs. Their pagan gods are all they’ve known.”

  As Dane closed the door, Tharyn looked at him with her soft blue eyes. “Well, at least the chief is willing to talk to you about the Lord and His Bible, and that says a lot.”

  “It’s so good to know that the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword. It drew you to Jesus, and it did the same for me. God can use it to draw Chief Tando and his people to Jesus, too.”

  Tears misted Tharyn’s eyes again. “It takes prayer, too. And you and I will make it a matter of earnest prayer. Almighty God, alone, can do the necessary work in the chief’s heart. And the fact that you took the time and the care to cultivate a friendship with the chief will speak volumes to him, I’m sure.” Tharyn reached up and cupped his face in her hands. “Oh, Dane, I’m so proud of you. And you know what else?”

  He frowned slightly. “What?”

  “I am also thrilled to be your wife. God not only made you a physician and surgeon. He made you a missionary as well!”

  Dane nodded. “Something He wants all Christians to be—telling everyone who will listen the good news of salvation. Since we have a few minutes before patients with appointments are due to come in, how about we pray together right now?”

  They entered Dane’s private office and knelt down at a worn leather couch. Hand in hand, the doctor and his wife lifted their heartfelt prayers to the God in heaven Who was able to draw souls to Himself through His Word.

  The afternoon was a busy one, and between patients, Dr. Dane was reminded by his wife that he had several house calls scheduled for tomorrow, and that Dr. Robert Fraser was planning to be there all day.

  Dane was wiping the microphone of his stethoscope with a clean cloth as Tharyn was speaking. He met her gaze. “I sure hope Dr. Fraser’s back is doing better.”

  “I do too,” she said, “but I really don’t think he is going to be able to continue filling in here at the office much longer.”

  “His age is telling on him. He’s going to have to retire completely, soon. I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately. I mentioned Dr. Tim Braden to you recently.”

  “Yes. He’ll be finishing his internship at Mile High Hospital next May. Have you given more thought to trying to bring Tim here?”

  “I have. We need to get back to our patients. I’ll talk to you about it this evening.”

  It was nearly five-thirty when Dane and Tharyn closed the office and headed home. They put horse and buggy in their small barn, then entered the house through the back door and walked into the kitchen.

  Tharyn looked around, and with a contented sigh, smiled at him and said, “Isn’t it good to be home in our own little haven of peace and quiet?”

  “It sure is, honey,” Dane said, removing his coat and hanging it on a peg near the door.

  “I know we have a busy schedule with our practice, but I intend to enjoy every moment when I can be home.”

  Dane grinned and let out his own sigh. “I’m with you, sweetheart. The patient load seems to grow daily, and my only free time is on Sunday, and that day is filled with church services and fellowship with our church family—which I love—but it would be nice just to have a ‘free’ day once in a while.”

  “Why don’t you build a fire in the stove for me, then during supper, you can tell me all about your plan involving Tim Braden. I’m eager to hear about it.”

  Dane went to the stove, quickly built a fire, and told her he would build one also in the fireplace in the parlor. When he returned, he sat down at the table, which Tharyn had already set.

  “I hope you don’t mind some tomato soup and warm crusty bread with butter for your supper,” she said, while she was at the stove.

  “Sounds good. You know I’m not a picky eater. After living on the streets of New York City, a hot bowl of soup and warm bread sounds like manna from heaven.”

  Stirring the soup in its pan, she looked over her shoulder and smiled. “I guess we’ll never forget those hungry days, will we? We have so much to be thankful for. Starting, of course, with finding each other again after it looked so hopeless.”

  “That’s for sure, sweetheart. My life just wouldn’t be right without you.”

  Tharyn poured the soup into two bowls and set them on the table, then went back to the cupboard for the plate of bread. She stepped up behind Dane and kissed the top of his head. “If you’ll lead us in prayer for the food, we can eat now.”

  Tharyn sat down, and they clasped hands over the table. Dane led in prayer, and when he finished, she said, “All right, tell me what you’ve got in mind about Tim. I’m excited to hear it, because my best friend will be coming with him if he does come.”

  Dane chuckled. “Of course. With Melinda here, you’d be elated, wouldn’t you?”

  “I’ll say. All right, go ahead.”

  “Well, for sure our practice is growing steadily. I figure we won’t be able to pay Tim a big salary at first, but if you agree, I’d like to offer him the job as my assistant, then one day when we can afford to establish a clinic, I’d like to take him in as my partner.”

  Excitement showed on Tharyn’s countenance. “Oh, yes, I wholeheartedly agree, darling! When you offer Tim the job, I think he’ll jump at the opportunity. Oh, I’m so thrilled at the prospect of having Melinda living right here in Central City!”

  Dane swallowed the piece of bread he was chewing. “Well, the next time we’re in Denver, I’ll talk to Tim about it and see if he’s interested. If he jumps at the opportunity like you think he will, we’ll make plans in a hurry. Since his internship at the hospital ends in early May, I’d like to have him and Melinda move here by the first of June.”

  “The first of June will be great!”

  The Logans finished their supper and spent the evening in the parlor talking about how they would set up things at the office when Tim came to work for them. Intermittently, Tharyn brought up how she and Melinda would spend time together just enjoying each other’s company.

  At bedtime, they read their Bibles, then prayed together, spending extra moments praying for Chief Tando, that Dane’s witness to him would result in his salvation.

  Less than an hour after Tharyn had fallen sleep, she found herself dreaming. She was in her kitchen at midmorning on a bright, sunny day, and while standing at the sink, she looked out the window into the backyard. Her heart felt a warm sensation when she saw her little five-year-old daughter swaying back and forth in her swing.

  This time the child was facing the house. Tharyn rushed out the back door and hurried toward the little girl, saying, “Elizabeth Ann, I just had to come out here and tell you that I love you.”

  Elizabeth Ann smiled and her dark brown eyes sparkled as she said, “I love you, too, Mommy!”

  Suddenly Tharyn awakened with her heart pounding, and gasping for breath. Dane lay beside her, fast asleep.

  “O Lord,” Tharyn whispered, “someday, will You let me have a baby girl we can name Elizabeth Ann? Of course, I want to have a boy, too. It makes no difference which You give us first … a boy or a girl. But when You give us the girl, she is going to be my precious Elizabeth Ann.”

  The next morning—Friday, September 23—Dr. Dane Logan left home early to begin his house calls. Some were as far as twenty miles from Central City.

  When Tharyn arrived at the office half an hour before opening time and began preparations for the day, her thoughts were divided between the dream she had last night and the prospect of Melinda and Tim coming to Central City to live.

  She thought back to the days when as young teenagers, she and Melinda lived in the alley in New York with the other orphans. She relived moments that were precious to
her, both in the alley and on the orphan train that brought them to their new lives in the West.

  Tharyn had the office and back room ready for the day by ten minutes before eight, and was sitting at her desk when she looked up and saw Dr. Robert Fraser come in.

  The elderly physician smiled as he closed the door behind him and moved toward the pegs on the wall behind her desk. “Good morning, Tharyn.”

  She smiled in return. “And a good morning to you, my dear friend.”

  She noticed the dark circles under his pain-filled eyes, and was aware of how slowly and deliberately he walked. “Dr. Fraser, are you having a bad day with your back?”

  “Well, my dear, it’s just one of those days. I didn’t get much sleep last night. I couldn’t find a comfortable position. I’ll be all right, though. Don’t you worry about me. I’m sure we have a full schedule, so I’m ready.”

  Tharyn left her chair and gave the dear old man a gentle hug.

  He patted her back as she was hugging him and said, “Esther and I learned from neighbors last night about the incident that took place here at the office yesterday. She and I are both glad it turned out all right.”

  “Me, too. I was quite concerned at first because so many in the crowd showed such anger at Dane’s having allowed Indians into the office.” She smiled. “But praise the Lord, He made it turn out all right.”

  “Our God has a way of doing that, Tharyn.”

  “That He does. And you’ll be glad to know that Dane and Pastor Shane talked briefly with Chief Tando before he left for home yesterday about the Bible and the Lord. He seemed interested. Dane is planning to talk to him about Jesus when he goes to the village to check on Latawga next week.”

  “Great! I’ll tell Esther about it. We’ll be praying for Chief Tando and his people.”

  The first patient of the day was coming toward the door from the hitch rail outside.

  Tharyn looked at Dr. Fraser and thought, I must ease his load as much as possible. Lord, would You please ease the discomfort in his back and help him through this difficult day.