[Illustration: MARION AND THE CRIPPLED BOY. Page 207]
"I saw that bill drop from your hand, sir." Marion laughed till all her dimples came into play. "But you can't have it," she insisted, as she saw his look of disappointment at being found out. "You've forfeited the right to it, and I shall add it to my fund for Neddy."
"Pretty sharp practice that," he grumbled, looking intensely relieved. "Well, good-day to you."
The next time Marion went to the hospital a singular circumstance occurred,—a circumstance which unravelled for her quite a mystery.
She inquired for Neddy Carter, and was allowed to proceed at once to the convalescent ward. The boy was sitting in a low chair, which he had learned to wheel about with great rapidity. As soon as he saw her, his face brightened, and before he could reach her side he shouted,—
"Miss Howard! Miss Howard! Mr. Regy's been here!"
"And he's such a funny man," said one of the older boys.
"I wish I had seen him," was Marion's answer. "What did he come for?"
"To see me. He was awful cross at first, and scolded me for getting under the wheel like sixty; but I know him, and he's real good for all that; and I like him; and when I told him I didn't get under the wheel on purpose he gave me this," pulling a silver dollar from his pocket. "Will you please take it to help buy my wooden legs?"
"No, indeed; those will be ready when the doctor says you can wear them."