Jack’s Hymn

BY ELIZABETH OLMIS

Chapter Four.

THE next afternoon the boys had gathered as usual in the pleasant corner. They were telling Donald the wonderful news about Jack, when they heard his voice nearby.  Immediately he came around the plants as he had done before, only now he held by the hand a happy-faced, smiling lady. The boys arose.

“This is my dear mamma, boys,” Jack said. “Mamma, this one is Teddy, this is Bill, and this one in the wheeled chair is Tom Grey. They have all been good to me; and this is dear little Donald that we love best.”

Mrs. Hunter shook hands with each one and said some pleasant word. But she stooped and kissed Donald’s cheek and held his hand in hers as she talked with them. Jack leaned against her knee, too happy to do anything but look at her and listen.

A few days later he bade them all good-by, for he was going home; and who but blue- eyed Donald was going too, to live there always as his own loved brother

Don’t ye forget us, Donnie, lad,” said Teddy. “When me an’ Bill gits well and earns a bit we’ll come out ther’ an’ see ye.”

“Oh, yes,” began Jack, with his face aglow; but stopped suddenly. “I forgot that it was going to be a secret,” he went on; “but never mind. Something nice is going to happen to you boys next summer. Dr. John knows; don’t you, Doctor?”

Doctor John smiled mysteriously.

Jack did not explain any further. He went about the rooms and corridors, speaking a pleasant farewell word to everybody, his face beaming as he promised to come back soon to see them again.

Teddy and Bill stood looking after the carriage as it rolled out of sight.

“Thet ‘ere’s a big thing fur Donnie now, eh?” said Bill.

“That it is, Bill,” replied Teddy. “’T aint ev’ry leetle chap as gits such a mother when his own be’s gone.”

Then, after a long silence, during which he seemed to be thinking perplexedly, Bill asked, “Ted, who d’ye think made Jack well? Wor it Doctor John?”

“No, Bill. I think ‘twor the man wot Donnie telled about.”

FINIS.