The National tribune., 1903-03-12

There is one thing simply dread her find
ing OUTPUT that will appear by-and-by.
well. no, Thomas, l don't think we
can make you head nurse" said. But
you can come in the morning and clean
the knives and boots. You are quite sure
You can do them beautifuP!'
Eyes, quite sure, num-" he answered.
looking up with his great dark eyes.
So Thomas came every day, and was
quiet and attentive. When he carried in
the Goals he always looked around to see
il there were letters to post or anything
he could do; he always saw when my
plants wanted watering or the leaves
wanted washing. Even cook, who was
difficult to please, said he was q down.
right blessing" The only vexing thing
WAS that whenever he had chance he
would creep up to the nursery and play
with the children. He adored May, and
used to carry her upstairs when she came
in from her walk She was delighted to
let him do it, putting her arms around his
neck, and looking up at him with her clear
blue eyes. He was SO careful with the
children that in the afternoon nurse some
times left him on guard while she was
downstairs.
Thomas" said one day, "what is that
sticking out of your pocket" He turned
please, mum. it's pipe"
"a pipei Where did you get it."
Bought it, num-"
"But you are not going to smoke,
hopeT He tried hard not to laugh, but
the idea of smoking was too much for him.
"Please, mum, bought it to teach Miss
May how to blow bubbles" he said, with
as grand an air as if he had bought it to
teach her Arabic.
Another week and Jane returned.
Thomas got place at paper-shop, and
carried out paper every morning: but on
Saturday afternoons he generally paid
cook a visit, and went up to see the chill
dren. One day l discovered that he had
| voice. Going past the nursery door, l
heard May say =.
"Yes, do sing it again, please, Thomas"
and then a. weak little voice began:
"a little seed is in the ground,
A little tiny seed;
When it grows up what will it be,
A flower or a weed?'
opened the door. "Why, Thomas" I
said. II didn't know you could sing"
"Please, mum, mother taught me-" he
said; ''she sings beautiful, and SO do little
Oracle"
Then that time came in which May fell
i'll. There was hardly hope of her re-
coyery. And through all those days none
grieved more than Thomas. Every morn
| ing, as soon as cook came down, she heard
/ a tap at the kitchen window, and there
| stood Thomas at the bottom of the area
steps, pale and anxious. She used to open
the window, and before she could speak
the eager voice would say
How is Miss May?-is she any worse
has she slept!" And on that terrible
night when we thought he was dying,
Thomas sat at the end of the kitchen by
the side-tabie white and silent, waiting
with burning eyes and GREATNESS misery
that almost seemed to suffocate him.
Late that night Jane went down and re-
ported 1.-The doctor says she is n little
better Thomas sprang to his feet for
one moment, then sat down again, and,
sobbed bitterly.
When May was better, Thomas was
taken up to see her. He stopped for q
moment outside her door as il to gather
strength, and felt his side-pocket anxious
ly; there was something there that bulged
but / pretended not to see it. He drew a
long breath as he entered the room.
Are you better, Miss MayY' he asked
eyes, thank you, Thomas, DEAR" she
said.
You've been very bad" and he shook
his head mOurnfully.
''Poor Thomas. she sighed, Just as il
she knew all that he had suffered.
Il don't know what we should have
done il you hadn't got better, Miss May"
DO you know any more songsW She
asked. He shook his head; he had had
no heart for songs.
II kept your garden In ORDER" he said
"the primroses are coming up, and there's
three snowdrops out"
II am so glad. What's that in youI
pocket, sticking Out?"
Its the MICE" he answered, smiling
for the first time. 1--WE had 'em this fort
! night ready against you was better, Miss
May" aud then with sigh of satisfac
ton he brought them out.
A little later in the Spring brought nj
the last of Thomas. May was well. The
gardener had just been to see abo,lt ,doine
up the garden. I was sitting in the din
ing-room making up my books with thu
weekly expenses, wondering how it wa
that something extra always sweiled them
There was knock at the door.