The Lakeland evening telegram., 1913-12-20


Teddy bears,' answered Nurse Blail
scornfully. She thought for a long
while after the doctor had gone. Al
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, a half hour
before visiting time, and went to
Johnny's side. He was playing with
the ball, bouncing it upon the sheets.
1t had fallen down six times, and
each time the nurse nearest had pick
ed 1t up again and returned 1t.
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 it and look at it and
wish hard to be WE'LL" he answered.
Johnny, when your mamma comes
she will see it and it 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"
mo, ma'am," answered Johnny.
"Then, Johnny" said Nurse Blair,
the diplomat. suppose we put 1t away
when she comes and don't show 1t to
her."
Yes, ma'am," said Johnny. A tear
stole into his eye and overfowed.
He handed her the football. yves,
m-m-maam," 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 1t 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-youve given him that?"
Nurse Blair stammered something,
but she could never remember what
it was, for the young widow had tax.
en- both her hands in hers and was
looking at her in such a way as to
make falsehood impossible.
Nurse" she said, Il want to ask
you something. Will he ever walk
again."
Nurse Blair was silent. They might
have been alone in the ward, 80
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? Will he over
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
why some of the Madon-
mas were painted smiling.
Mammal" said the voice from the
bed, Il want to whisper something"
The widow knelt down, but the
childish whisper was loud enough to
reach the nurses ears.
II mustn't tell you what my Christ
mas present is, because it will make
you cry"
The widow placed her arms round
lis neck and pressed his face to hers.
Mamma, want to show you some
hing I've kept for Christmas pres.
mt for you. Sit up, mamma, and
ook. Look"
Nurse Blair screamed. Dr.. Keith,
passing by, stopped, looked, and as
umed an attitude Of professional
ride. His rather tired face broke
nto smile.
DO that again, Johnny" cried
Iurse Blair Look, doctor, look!
les wiggling his toes!"
Yes, ma'am." said Johnny proud
y. That's why I wanted q football.
here, mamma, you're crying after
III"