VALLEY

90 RAINBOW VALLEYMary proved a rather dull companion in the followingdays, however. She confided to Una that the moreshe thought of going back to the asylum the more shehated it. Una racked her small brains for some wayof averting it, but it was Nan Blythe who came to therescue with a somewhat startling suggestion."Mrs. Elliott might take Mary herself.She has agreat big-house and Mr. Elliott isalways wanting herto have help. It would be just a splendid place forMary.Only she'd have to behave herself.""Oh, Nan, do you think Mrs. Elliott would takeher?"Nan."It wouldn't do any harm ifyou asked her," saidAt first Una did not think she could. She was soto her.shy that to ask a favour of anybody was agonyAnd she was very much in awe of the bustling, energeticMrs. Elliott. She liked her very much andalways enjoyed a visit to her house ;but to go and askher to adopt Mary Vance seemed such a height ofpresumption that Una's timid spirit quailed.authorities wrote to Mr.When the HopetownMeredith to send Mary to them without delay Marycried herself to sleep in the manse attic that night andUna found a desperate courage. The next eveningshe slipped away from the manse to the harbour road.Far down in Rainbow Valley she heard joyous laughterbut her way lay not there. Sheand terribly in earnestwas terribly paleso much so that she took no