The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1874-01-24

ing that he had received there; then,
for the first time, the thought came that
he might die. "POor Mamie" he said,
half aloud. and then, "Id hate to be iu
Hod's place" He heard them saying
'Our Father" and hardly cons ,ious OF
it joined his feeble voice-the nurse
heard him then he slept.
The children coming back reused
him; they swiftly scattered, each to his
place in or beside little white bed,
aud the doctors came In. They stopped
by Misey's bed first.
"Well " said the tall doctor.
81 say, Governor, said Missy, chow
long must stay here?"
mot long I'm afpaid"
Don't you think III pull through?"
''Pm afraid you will"
] he tall doctor sat down on Misey's
bed. His abrupt manner scared Missy
at first; but before he was aware of it
he was holding the little begrimedhand,
and had heard all of Misey's story,
having faithfully promised, though re-
luctantly, that he wouldn't 'peach on
Hod." Missy had told him even about
the skates. The doctor called the nurse
and sent her for the boot; she returned
saying she could not find it then, but
would in the morning; and the doctor,
shaking the little grimy hand in way
that boy would like better than all
the words that could be said, went out
with his head bent down, pulling his
mustache, a habit he had when in deep
thought.
Early in the morning the nurse came
to Misey's bed.
"There's boy here to see you-the
doctor won't let him up, but says you
may send him any word you please"
''Who is it?" said Missy, thinking
of Joe. ....
"He says, tell you its's Hod.' He
won't say anything else.'
Missy started with surprise, thought
a minute, and then said slowly, "Tell
him it's all right
is that all ?" said the nurse. Missy
thought another minute; somehow his
thoughts all came very slowly.
"lle knows where Sissy lives, maybe
he'd tell her I'm here.'
The nurse went away. She forgot
to tell the miserable lIod that it was all
right, but she gave the second me e>sage,
adding, "If they want to see him alive
they'd better come to. day."
The children in their play had much
to say OF the Christmas tree they were
to have that evening; they wore talk
ing of it when the doctor calEe. lie
stopped only to feel Mlsey's pulse,
shook his head ard went on his round.
but came back when that was done,
and sat down on Misey's bed.
You want your sister to have the
skates, do you ?"
"Don't l though?" said Missy,
Frightening ut the thought; but pres.
entity looking graver, said, "rhe woman
couldn't tiud the boot"
Never mind the boot. Would these
do?" The doctor held up a pair of
silver mouAte skates. Missy with q
violent effor. sat up in bed; "Goyernor,
you don't mean it?"
''See here" said the doctor, laying
down the skates, aad with both hands
gently pushing him back on the pillow.
"You do that again, and I'll not PROM
ise that you'll ever see your sister.
She'll be here to-day if we can find her.
Would you like to have these haug on
the tree7 They are bringing it into the
room now"
MAY she come to the tree? She
never was to Christmas tree nor me
but that amt no matter. You'll let
her stay to it, ow>wilI yOu?"
"lf you'll promise not to talk nor
worry till she comes.'
The Doctor hung the skates where
Misey could plainly see them. lie iay
In . perfect ecstacy, with teasting his
eyes on their glitter
The miserable HOd had heard Misey's
request with dI smay. He was not Oru-
tai-had not meant to hurt Missy, but
to roo hm. When lie pushed aIsey
over the bank II MAS without thought
except to escape detection. lie lad
ventured back to the place reconnOiter-
ing, just in time to follow the stretcher
to the hospital. Not daring to go back
to the lodging house, remembering
Joe's threat, lie had slept, or walked,
rather, in one Of the great iron water
tubes lying on the avenue, which were
10 be placed underground when the
workmen we're ready to do so. 1t was
many hours before he summoned cour-
age 10 go to the shanty. He told Mrs.
McHuue simply that "4HiSey was hurt
and at st. Luke's. and that the woman
said they had better come sOon."
Mamie had cried q little at first on
hearing the news, but as Mrs. McHume
hoped that he was mot hurt much,
size was soon all animation, for she,
too, had planned Christmas surprise.
All the evenings for many weeks had
been given to the manufacture OF tho
the most beautiful scarlet tippet for her
brother. The sun was near setting
when they entered the children's ward.
The tree was loaded with gifts. There
was a blaze OF gaslight, the children
were buzzing about as merry, though
not quite SO noisy, as well children.
The nurse went before Mrs. McHune,
and told Missy his sister had come. The
gray-haired chaplain had been talking
with him, and Missy had been thinking
feebly OF what lie had said his eyes all
the time fixed on the splendid skates.
Mamie scarcely knew the beautiful boy
for her brother The matted hair was
smooth aud glossy. his skin was as fair
| aa her own and his ewes alOna lika