Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1913-12-20

Teddy bears" answered Nurse Blair
scornfully. She thought for n long
while after the doctor had gone. At
last she went softly to Johnny's bed
and hung the football from the
head. The little boys eyes were
closed and he was sleeping soundly.
The little helpless feet made tiny
mountains under the bedclothes.
Nurse Blair turned away quickly.
Morning came: the ward awoke.
Shouts and cries OF delight were
heard The day nurses went from
bed TO bed. unwrapping packages
Nurse Blair had gone to her room.
but she did not lie down. She came
back. tired but resolute. half hour
before visiting time, and went TO
Johnny's side. lie was playing with
the ball. bouncing it upon the sheets.
II had fallen down six times, and
each time the nurse nearest had pick
ed II up again and returned II.
Johnny" said Nurse Blair. your
mamma will be here in few minutes
now"
Yes. ma'am." answered Johnny
Johnny. what are you going to do
with that football" asked Nurse
Blair.
Johnny knew Immediately. I'm
going to look at II and look at II ard
wish hard to be WE'LL" he answered.
Johnny. when your mamma comes
she will see IL and 1t will make her
cry to think of the time when her
little boy was strong and well. You
don't want to make her cry, do you.
dear?"
NO. ma'am." answered Johnny.
Then. Johnny" said Nurse Blair.
the diplomat. suppose we put II away
when she comes and don't show II to
her"
Yes. ma'am." said Johnny A tear
stole into his eye and overlooked.
lie handed her the football Yves.
m-m.ma'am." said Johnny. gulping.
and just then the visitors came in
Nurse Blair had taken the ball. but
she had no time to conceal It before
the little woman In black had come
hurrying to the bedside. and she
stood holding II rather foolishly and
self-consciously and could not face
those searching eyes.
I've brought him this-and these. "
said Mrs. Ward. holding out the box
OF bricks and the mechanical toy.
But you--you've given him that"
Nurse Blair stammered something.
but she could never remember what
1t was. for the young widow had TAX
en- both her hands in hers and was
looking at her in such way as TO
make falsehood impossible.
Nurse" she said. q want to ask
you something Will he ever walk
again."
Nurse Blair was silent They might
have been alone In the ward. so
closely did the hum OF conversation
hedge them in. Each was with her
own that Christmas morning and had
no thought but for hers.
will he ever walk? VIII he ever
stand?" The widow grasped the
nurses hands tightly as though cling.
ing to her as her last hope in life.
Tell me-" she pleaded.
"Never-unless a miracle happens"
answered Nurse Blair. and the wom-
ans hands fell and she turned to the
child and smiled. Then Nurse Blair
understood why some of the Madon-
mas We're painted smiling.
Mammal" said the voice from the
stT Len.
The widow knelt down. but the
childish whisper was loud enough to
reach the nurses ears
Il mustn't tell you what my Christ
mas present is. because 1t will make
you cry"
The widow placed her arms round
his neck and pressed his face to hers.
Mamma. | want to show you some
thing I've kept for a Christmas pres.
ent for you. Sit up. mamma. and
look. Look"
Nurse Blair screamed. DR.. Keith.
passing by. stopped. looked. and as
sumed an attitude OF professional
pride. His rather tired face broke
into a smile.
DO that again. Johnny" cried
Nurse Blair. Look. doctor. look.
He's wiggling his toes."
Yes. ma'am.' said Johnny proud
ly That's why I wanted a football.
There, mamma. you're crying after
ALI"
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