The San Francisco call., 1909-12-18

INDIAN LILY'S CHRISTMAS

When Mrs. WestIey saw them COM
ing in at the gate she concluded at
once that they wanted their dinner,
but not so.
I wear them Lily said softly.
Well, Lily, I'm glad you did. And
what do you think? 1 have a friend
VINO says she has nice warm coat to
give you for the winter, and we will
try to find some clothes for the little
boys, too. Where is Mary today?'
The three children had their dark
eyes fixed on Mrs. Westley's face. Lily's
eyelids dropped slowly A tear rolled
down each of her brown cheeks.
Mary die" she answered. Mary get
cold-and die'
Mrs Westley was too surprised to
speak at once. She wiped the tears
from her own eyes.
LILY, you are good girl to take
care of Willie and George. The cold
weather is coming on now and you
must keep fire in your cabin. Come
and eat something before you go. But
the children didn't want to eat. Mrs,
Westley gave them a box o. food from
her Christmas supply and told them to
wait while she went to her neighbor's.
When she came back she had two little
jackets besides the coat for Lily. George
and Willie said their thanks by putting
Lily stroked her coat gently much as
one would pet cat. Mrs. Wesley was
well pleased.
But it was time to go and they said
Soodby, looking back several times.
Lily had held the money tightly all day
and she must hurry downtown and then
start for home
In a little while they were gazing
eagerly into the window of variety
he eff Nv Sfi
there. 1t looked beautiful. And there
were balls for boys to play with,
George wanted a ball, but Willie point
ed to the candy Lily was thinking. In
one corner Of the window there were
some tiny dolls dressed in blue and with
real yellow hair.
They went into the store.
One ball. Lily said shyly. putting
down s cents.
The store keeper handed her very
small rubber ball.
"Canday'' she murmured, pointing tn
the striped candy in the tall glass jars,
and she put Willie's cents on the
counter.
How Willie smiled. whole handful
of candy!
And then Lily pointed to the tiny
dolls dressed in blue. She handed the
man her 10 cents and he gave her back
five. The child never thought of buy
ing more. The doll was all she wanted.
She would give. the remaining cents
to Dick.
1t was nearly dark when they
reached the Wallace house. Willie was
tired out George held him by the hand
and Lily talked to him. Her voice
sounded like music.
They walked across the porch timidly.
Ruth ran to the open door. Lily held
out her hand In it was very small
package.
you something, Ruth
Ruth pulled them into the warm
kitchen. Then she opened the pack
age.
''Oh. mamma, mamma, lookn
Mrs. Wallace did look. A lump came
into her throat.
Lily, dear Lily. 1 love it, Ruth
sobbed. and 1 love you. too
Lily smiled She was pretty child
when she smiled. She was very happy.
Mrs. Wallace went out of the room.
When she came back her husband was
with her.
You children must eat some supper
now, and then I'm going to drive over
to Mr.. Belongs and I'll take you
home." Mr.. Wallace said, while Ruth
and her mamma admired the new coat
and Jackets.
Save this for Dick" Lily whispered
to herself putting the box Mrs. West
ley had given her on the floor.
What good supper it was But
how Ruth wished it were Christmas
day instead of Christmas eve, for then
they could have had turkey. Dear little
Indian children. They enjoyed the
warm meat and bread and butter, the
pie and cake and milk. Often their
only food was a corn Cruel. They got
very hungry some days. When Mary
was with them she always saw that
they had potatoes and bacon and
bread, but now it was different-and
Lily was only IL.
When they got home Dick was not
there Lily lighted a candle. Maybe
he drunk" she sighed.
Mr. Wallace went in and looked
around 1t made him sick at heart to