As Many as Touched Him by Eglanton Thorne

SOME months later, on a bright June morning, Ellen and Jerry Mansfield were waiting on the Charmouth platform for the train which was to take them home. The face of each was radiant with delight, for they had been counting on this day for weeks, and the flight of time had been far too slow for their eager anticipations. His six months' absence from the home which he had never before quitted even for a day, had been a trial to Jerry's loving heart, and he longed intensely to be with his parents and brothers and sisters once more.

But he was not going home as he had left it. No; his faith had received its reward. The Saviour had not turned a deaf ear to his oft-recurring cry, and he was no longer a helpless boy, with weak and crippled limbs; the bent frame was straightened now, and the little face bore the hue of returning health, though there were still traces of delicacy to proclaim the need for caution.

His recovery had been slow and painful, and his patience had been tried by the restrictions the doctors found it necessary to place upon his movements. For many weeks, he had been obliged to lie perfectly still upon a flat couch, but the boy had borne the restraint without murmuring.

His winning ways won the affection of all about him, and he became a favourite alike with doctors, nurses, and fellow-patients. Miss Graham, who frequently passed an hour by his bedside, was especially fond of him, and her kindness awakened in Jerry's heart the warmest love and gratitude. She fully sympathised in his joy as he felt his limbs regaining power and began to walk, at first only a few steps at a time, but with daily increasing strength.

The doctors were not a little proud of the cure they had effected, and Dr. Graham, much interested in the little lad, took pains to procure him an appliance recently invented for the relief of sufferers from spinal affections, which proved of great assistance to Jerry's feeble frame.

And now he was able to walk quite easily, and was going home to show them all what a change had taken place in him! How shall we describe the gladness that filled his young heart?

He and his sister were not alone. Their Aunt Matilda had contrived to spare half an hour from her work in order to see them off. It was not easy for her to do without her niece's assistance during the fortnight's holiday she had promised her, but she was learning to deny herself for the sake of others, and she did not regret the inconvenience thus occasioned as she noted the happy faces of brother and sister.

Presently, as they waited, they were joined by Miss Graham, who wished to see the last of her little friend, and to provide for his comfort on the journey.

"Oh, Miss Graham, how kind of you to come! " he cried, as he saw her. "I did want to say good-bye to you again."

"You are very glad to leave us, Jerry," she said, as she looked at his smiling face.

"Not glad to leave you, Miss Graham," he answered, "but very glad to go home."

"Your mother will be overjoyed to see you looking so well," said the lady; "you are not like the same boy you were when you came."

"Mother'll hardly know me, I think," said Jerry joyously. "Ellen says I have grown two or three inches since I left home."

"I dare say you have," replied Miss Graham; "and you are certainly stouter than you were, so that you are improved in all respects."

Jerry was silent for a few moments. He was thinking how best he could thank Miss Graham for her kindness to him since he had been in the hospital. But in vain, he tried to find suitable words. All he could say was,-

"Miss Graham, you have been very good to me since I have been here, and so has Dr. Graham. I shall never forget you."

"Thank you, Jerry," said the young lady, with a smile. "I am sure we shall always remember you. And if ever we can help you in any way, you may be sure of our willingness to do so. I shall hope to have the pleasure of seeing you again at Charmouth at some future time."

Jerry shook his head.

"I don't think I shall ever leave home again, if I can help it," he said decidedly. Then, as if fearing his remark might appear ungrateful, he added, "But I should very much like to see you again, though."

"Then I hope you may," replied Miss Graham. "Perhaps when you are older, you will come to Charmouth to learn a trade, or fit yourself for some calling, for I do not suppose you will be a farmer, Jerry?"