49 THE LAME BOY.

“T shall never forget your kindness to me, even if I
live to be an old man; but if you insist upon sitting
here with a poor lame boy like me, let us talk a little,
instead of taking a game of dominos. I should like to
tell you a thought that was in my mind Just as you
came up.”

‘Well, what was it?” asked Maurice, kindly.

“T was wondering why it is, that of all the boys
here, I am the only one that is deformed and lame. I
should be so happy if I could run about and play with
the others.” |

“Ah, Louis,” replied Maurice, “there is but one
answer to that question. It is your heavenly Father’s
will. God is your Maker and mine. He is the Maker
of all mankind. He makes some sound in mind and
body, and others weak and deformed. He makes some
rich, and others poor. As we are all the work of his
Almighty hand, he certainly has a right to create us as
he pleases. All he does is for some wise purpose, and
it is not for us to question his ways. You must hear
my good nurse speak on these subjects. She can teach
you far better than I can. You have been promising
me you would call and see her for a long while. We
shall have plenty of time; let us go there now. Take
my arm, and we will walk slowly, so as not to tire
you.”

- Louis, leaning with one arm on his crutch, and the
other on his friend, walked slowly down the shady