than ever. It's positively buried in
roses and heliotrope, and you'd never know it had a chimney. You'd
think that a huge geranium was growing right out of the roof. The
front porch looks out upon the sea. Oh, it's such a dark, deep,
sparkly blue! And when the sky is blue, too, and the sand is golden,
and the white gulls skim next the water--nothing could be more
beautiful in all the world! I think of you a hundred times a day, and
wish that you were here. So does Dad. I've told him all about the
Vigilantes, and he's so interested. He says he's thankful every day
that I have such fine friends at St. Helen's. In fact, I just know
he's more pleased with me than ever before. I think he sees there's
hope ahead, and it's a very comforting assurance.

"'Now I must tell you about Virginia Winthrop Richards. I know you're
consumed with curiosity. If you could see her, you'd be consumed with
envy. She is seven years old and all pink and white and blue and
gold. Her cheeks are just the color of wild roses, and her eyes deep
blue--almost like the water--and her hair golden brown with lights in
it. I dress her in pink or blue or white all the time. One day two
weeks ago Dad and I went to Los Angeles to buy clothes for her. I
don't believe I ever had quite such a good time in all my life. 'Twas
just like shopping for one's very own child. I put my hair up high
for the occasion, and endeavored to look matronly, but I guess I
failed, for when I saw a ravishing pink dress and said, "I guess it's
too small for my little girl," the stupid clerk laughed in my face.

"'We bought the sweetest things you ever saw! Hair-ribbons and
adorable shoes and socks striped like sticks of candy and little
fairy night-dresses all trimmed in lace. Then Dad bought some toys. I
let him do that. He bought a doll and books and a cart and horses,
for we want Virginia to be a trifle boyish, too, you see. While he
was doing it, his eyes just beamed and beamed. He said he felt just
as he did when I was little and he bought toys for me. When we
reached home and showed the things to Virginia Winthrop Richards, I
thought she'd die of happiness. Really, I didn't know but that we'd
lose her after all!

"'But here I am dressing my child for you, and you don't even know
who she is! She wasn't anybody but _Minnie_ and _No. 31_ until three
weeks ago. I've always thought it would be a heavy cross en