The San Francisco call., 1909-12-18

ed. The pointed toe turned up be-
sides giving it don't care look. But
this did not bother Indian Lily. She
was too happy to be bothered. She
had real dress and a hat.
She finished dressing her little broth
ers. Willie. aged 4. and George. aged G.
They each had waist of turkey red.
Their overalls were badly worn. Their
feet were bare.
1t was five miles to town, but Dick,
their father. bade them go. and he gave
the boys FIVE cents apiece and to Lily
lie gave 10 cents Dick had not been
drunk since Mary, the mother, died
two weeks ago. and he was always
kind TO the children when he was
sober So with the added JOY of the
money Lily had cause to be happy.
A lady had given her the hat and
dress the last time they had been to
town. The waist was meant to but
ton down the back, but how we'll it
looked TO Lily buttoned down the
'front.' And there was. no one to tell
her the difference.
Liiy's home was only a cabin. 1t
was built on a hillside among pine
trees. A spring of clear water flowed
from under a granite rock near the
door and there the children and the
birds. and sometimes wild animals.
drank Just now the ground was COW
cred with pine needles and the sweet
odor came up from them TO the children
as they stopped ia the morning sun
shine TO take drink from the spring
before they started on their trip
Many times had they gone before,
these three little ones, but Mary had
always gone with them. The way
seemed much longer today. The birds,
the red berries. so bright at this sea
son where the road follows a creek in
a canyon. the places where they were
used to stop and rest-all were
changed. but they did not know it was
only because they missed their mother.
Half way to town they stopped at
farmhouse. 1t was then 10 o'clock
A child came to the door. Her name
was Ruth Wallace.
why. mamma, it's Lily and the
boys" she cried
Lily held out a little saltbag. 1t
was full OF something and heavy
Ruth knew il was bag Of pine nuts
for Lily had promised them the last
time she was there.
oh, Lily. how good you are, Just
see, mamma what she brought me-"
In the meantime Mrs. Wallace had
buitered warm bread aud was handing
it to the Indian children.
Lily. you have on quite neat dress
Ny child. YOU have turned the waist
around. Now we viii fix it-so. There.
YOU do look aae."
I ike milk" Lily said simply.
"Yoa shall have siI you want Here,
George and Willie. here are some apples
for you"
Willie's teeth were ali broken of in
front and when he laughed as he did
then. he looked like little mischief
His big brown eyes were bright with
fun. He took his apples and put them
both in his waist.
You must take a rest when you get
to town. Lily. 1t may be you viii get
ride home"
Maybe 1 do" said Lily.
And for fear you all get hungry
before noon. here is bag of lunch for
yeu." Mrs. Wallace continued, thankful
that IL was a mild. clear day. She
pinned q little shawl of Ruth's around
LiIys slim shoulders.
Liiy's eyes filled with tears. Ruth
went TO the gate with them and
watched until they disappeared down
the hill When she went in she said
earnestly. Mamma, 7 wish Lily had
white skin. Ia like to have her for my
little sister"
She can't help the color Of her skin,
Ruthie. Her heart is as white-I mean
as good-as yours and that is all that
is necessary. but if I should take Lily
away from the little boys don't you
think they would be lonely? She ought
to go TO school, and George, too"
Well. mamma. anyhow 1 wish they
lived on our place. Then Dick could
cut wood for papa the way he does for
Mr. Bedding
Lily was a great favcrite with Ruth.
Mary had washed for Mrs Wallace dur
ing the summer months for six years
and the two girls had had many a
merry play together. Ruth could re-
member when George used to ride in a
basket on Marys back and then when
George could walk Mary brought little
Willie in the same basket. How cute
the babies were. but oh. how dirty
I LIZ ruas naxer dirty She 1uas Marr1s