VALLEY

MISS CORNELIA INTERVENES 83"I don't believe the Wandering Jew would associatewith a person like Mrs. Wiley," said Faith decidedly."I love the Pied Piper story," said Di, "and so doesmother.I always feel so sorry for the poorlittle lameboy who couldn't keep up with the others and got shutout of the mountain. He must have been so disap-I think all the rest of his life he'd be wonder-pointed.ing what wonderful thing he had missed and wishinghe could have got in with the others.""But how glad his mother must have been," saidUna softly. "I think she had been sorry all her lifethat he was lame.Perhaps she even used to cry aboutit. But she would never be sorry again never. Shewould be glad he was lame because that was why shehadn't lost him.""Some day," said Walter dreamily, looking afarinto the sky,"the Pied Piper will come over the hillup there and down Rainbow Valley, piping merrilyand sweetly. And I will follow him follow him downto the shore down to the sea away from you all. Idon't think I'll want to go. Jem will want to go -itwill be such an adventure but I won't. OnlyI'll haveto the music will call and call and call me until Imust follow.""We'll all go," cried Di, catchingfire at the flameof Walter's fancy, and half -believing she could seethe mocking, retreating figure of the mystic piper inthe far, dim end of the valley.