er eyes shining, "or
the poor dear won't have any home."

Mary held out her arms to take the doll which Uncle Billy handed to
her.

"I'll love you always," she whispered, "and Annabel will love you too."

"Well, what is her name to be?" asked Uncle Billy, as Mary with her
new-found daughter stood before them.

"I think," answered Mary, with a smile, holding the doll very close in
her arms, "I shall call her 'Elizabeth Geraldine,' for her two aunts."

CHAPTER IX

HOME AGAIN

"If we're going to get home before dark, as I promised, we'd better be
moving along," said Uncle Billy. "I expect to find a man with our car
outside the grounds."

The three girls arose reluctantly from their seat on the long bench.

"Well, I suppose the very best of days must come to an end," sighed
Jerry.

"Why, it hasn't ended yet," said Beth, cheeringly. "We still have the
long ride home, and you must sit in front, for I'm sure Mary and I
will have our hands full to keep Elizabeth Geraldine from falling out."

"Yes," agreed Mary, "for don't you remember how we lost poor Annabel
driving home from the party that day?"

As Uncle Billy had planned, his car stood at the entrance gate, and he
soon had the happy little party aboard.

All the way home Jerry talked gaily to Uncle Billy, telling him all
about the merry times she had with the others, and of her dog Patsy
that she loved so well.

"I must see him," declared Uncle Billy. "He must be a fine dog, from
all that you say about him."

Beth and Mary had many things to talk about.

"Now we'll have to give a big party to introduce Elizabeth Geraldine to
society," planned Beth. "Won't it be fun?"

"We'll have to make new dresses for all the other children so they'll
look nice too. And, of course, I shall have to make some plainer
clothes for her," said Mary, looking at Elizabeth Geraldine, "because
it wouldn't do for her to look so stylish all the time. Oh, Beth," she
suddenly added, "it was just dear of you and Jerry to want me to have
her. I'll never, never forget it."

"Where's the first stop?" asked Uncle Billy, when they had reached the
town of Merryvale.

"Two blocks down on this side," directed Beth. "Mary lives in the
brown house next to the corner."

"I don't know what to say," declared Mary a few moments later as the
car drew up before her door, "except that I've had a lovely time. It's
been just like a fairy story," she laughed, "wishing for Elizabeth
Geral