Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1913-12-25
VIE Blair turned away quickly.

NVkse Blair turned away quickly.
r. 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. He was playing with
the ball, bouncing 1t upon the sheets.
1t had fallen down six times, and
each time the nurse nearest had pick
ed 1t up again and returned it.
Johnny" said Nurse Blair, your
mamma will be here l., few minutes
now"
Eyes, 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 it and it will make her
cry to think of the time when her
little boy was strong and we'll. 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 1t away
when she comes and don't show it to
her."
YES, ma'am," said Johnny. 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 1t 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.
1--WE 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. Il 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? Will 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 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.
81 mustn't tell you what my Christ
mas present is, because it 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 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 wanted football.
There, mamma, you're crying after
ALI"