The Lamar register., 1913-12-24

stronger than expectation, and Nurse
Blair would see to it that no gifts
went to the sleepless. DR.. Keith held
out the paper-wrapped globe. The
clerk had blown it up for him. and.
not thinking Of having it Debated
again, he had carried 1t thus for half
dozen blocks. IF you think 1t best
for him not to have 1t, give 1t to
someone else. Give him q Teddy
haar" ha said
Why. boy that age doesn't want
Teddy bears" answered Nurse Blair
-scornfully She thought for a 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. a half hour
before visiting time, and went to
Johnny's side. He was playing with
the ball, bouncing 1t upon the sheets.
It had fallen down six times. and
each time the nurse nearest had pick
cd 1t up again and returned it.
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 1t and look at 1t and
wish hard to be WE'LL" he answered.
Johnny, when your mamma comes
she will see 1t 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 tc
her"
Yes. ma'am." said Johnny. A tear
stole into his eye and overlooked
He 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 It rather foolishly and
sslf-consciously and could not faoa
those searching eyes.
Two brought him this-and these"
said Mrs.. Ward. holding out the bon
Of bricks and the mechanical toy
But you-you've given him thatf"
Nurse Blair stammered something.
but she could never remember what
II was. for the young widow had tax
en- both her hands in hers and was
looking at her in such way ~ te
make falsehood impossible.
Nurse" she said. Il want to ask
you something. VIII he ever walk
againf"
Nurse Blair was silent. They might
have been alone In the ward. 20
closely did the hum Of conversation
hedge them in. Each was with her
own that Christmas morning and had
NO thought but for hers.
viii he ever walkf VIII he ever
standf" The widow graspsd the
nurses hands tightly - though cling
ing to her a. her last hope In life
Tell me-" she pleaded.
"Never-unless . miracle happens
answered Nurse Blair. and the WON
ans hands fell and she turned to tbs
child and smiled. Then Nurse BlaiI
understood why some Of the Madon
mas were painted smiling.
Mammal" said the voice from the
bed, II want to whisper something
The widow knelt down, but the
childish whisper was loud enough to
reach the nurses ears.
IT mustn't tell you what my Christ
mas present IL. because II will make
you cry"
The widow placed her arms round
his neck and pressed his face to hera
Mamma. want to show you some
thing I've kept for . Christmas pres
ent for you. Sit up. mamma. and
look. Looki"
Nurse Blair screamed. Dr.. Keith,
passing by, stopped. looked. and AZ
sumed an attitude Of professional
pride. His rather tired face broke
into . smile.
do that again. Johnny" cried