The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1923-12-20

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every year over in the normal depart
ment, you know" volunteered the girl.
Ralph thought a minute, then put a
crisp one-dollar bill into the basket.
"Oh! that's too much to give" called
the girl, but Ralph haG disappeared
down the stairs into the school.
That did not end Ralph's thoughts
on the matter, however. In the after
noon he met Frances, one of his girl
friends from the normal department.
Ralph" she burst forth, "the tag day
surely is going over big. They expect
to make quite a lot more than they
did last year. Why" she exclaimed in
her joy, "do you know, they always
say artists are so very poor-well,
Aida told me some nice young man put
a dollar bill in her basket and never
said a word about wanting any
change
Ralph smiled: "That fellow probably
was thinking about some composition
ne was making and didn't even know
he put it in."
"No, he didn't, because Aida said he
Sheaght a minute before he dropped
it. in
That evening as Ralph worked in his
DON at the boarding house, some way
or other he just couldn't keep his mind
off his home. He had known right along
that he couldn't go home for Christmas,
but as the time drew nearer-only two
more days now before Christmas vaca-
tion-he felt very lonely. There was
someone besides the folks who made
Ralph wish he were going home. Ralph
heaved a sigh.
"Gee, l hate to think of it. She will
be home from college for the holidays,
and I went be there to take her
around. Well, little girl, you under
stand II all the rest don't. Hang it,
l would like to see you, Lillianl"
Everybody at school went about
whistling and singing, why shouldn't
he? He should. Hadn't he given that
dollar he had been saving so long for
some colors he wanted? If he couldn't
go home, he was at least contributing
to someone else's happiness. Come to
think of it, there are loads of people
in this very city who have no place
to even think Of as home.
Suddenly Ralph burst out laughing.
Posing as a martyr-the idea; a
healthy, hearty, young, robust boy like
him posing as a martyr!
His laughter echoed in the semi
empty room and died out. He was
seated in an old morris chair with his
back to the door, deep in thought,
when a light rap on his room door
stirred him. Thinking it one of the
boys living in the house, and not both
ering to rise, he called, "Come in !"
The door opened and Ralph beheld
a little black-eyed, black-haired urchin
in what once was a white corduroy.
dress. Leaning against his knee, she
looked up into his face. His artists
eye thought instantly, my, those
eyesl Wouldn't they be wonderful to
paint"
"Say," said the little thing as she
rolled her eyes, "did you know, I am
going to the children's party Friday
down at your school?'
We'll, where did you drop from?"
CALCULATED Ralph in his surprise. Il
am sure I never saw you before. /
don't know your name, but | think |
shall call you the 'Vamp.'"
'My name JOSEF corrected the little
girl Indignantly.
swell you surely know the art of
rolling your eyes," laughed Ralph.
do You want to see my sister? She
go, too, Friday"
Eyes, bring in the sister, 'Vamp-
the more the merrier!'
The sister, just able to toddle across
the floor, dressed in a figured calico
romper suit, was hoisted and boosted
into Ralph's lap by Jose. The baby
cuddled against Ralph, nesting down
perfectly content. Ralph felt a little
thrill vibrate through his frame.
The "vamp,' still at Ralph's side,
leaning both elbows on his knees,
peered into his face with her large,
lustrous eyes.
"My sisters happy, too, you see, be-
cause she goes with me Friday"
81 'appy,' reiterated the black
haired doll on Ralph's lap.
us that right?" laughed Ralph,
hugging the little kiddies. "But,
Vamp,' why do you come to tell me
about itY'
The vamp looked rather dismayed.
"You send me and Angelica" she said,
- Y I'LL Ut ~1
81 - @ ME