this effect. I would
have advised you before this to leave her, but you are too young to
drift about the world alone. I hope that when I next hear from you, you
will be in happier surroundings. I have always believed that your
parents were people of means and that you were lost or stolen when a
baby. Perhaps if they are still living you will find them some day.'"

"That is about all we need," said Grace, as she folded the letter and
put it back in the envelope. "The next thing to do is to see Mr.
Bright."

"I'll go for him at once," said Jessica, and darted off to the library,
where her father sat reading. He rose, and, tucking his daughter's arm
in his, walked out to the sitting room, where the Phi Sigma Tau eagerly
awaited him.

"Well, well!" he exclaimed, smiling at the circle of girls. "What's all
this? Am I invited to be present at a suffragette's meeting or is
Jessica simply anxious to show me what nice friends she has?"

"No compliments allowed," laughed Grace. "We wish to ask your advice
about something."

"I am at your service," said Jessica's father, making her an elaborate
bow. "Command me as you will."

"'Tis well, most reverend sir. I thank you," said Grace, with a curtsy.
"Now sit you down, I pray, for presently I have a tale to tell."

Having conducted Mr. Bright with great ceremony to the arm chair in the
corner, Grace established him with many low bows, much to the amusement
of the girls, with whom Jessica's father was a great favorite. Then
Grace began with her meeting with Mabel Allison and ended with the
letter from Mary Stevens, enclosing the matron's statement.

"Now, those are all the facts of the case, Mr. Bright," she concluded.
"Will it be possible for us to get Mabel away from Miss Brant, or can
Miss Brant hold her against her will?"

"Miss Stevens' letter and the matron's statement are sufficient,"
answered Mr. Bright. "This woman cannot hold your little friend. Miss
Brant will in all probability be very angry, and attempt to brave the
matter out. Suppose you and Jessica and I go down there together, Grace,
and see what we can do?"

"O Mr. Bright!" cried Grace, clasping her hands delightedly, "will you,
truly? Then let's go to-morrow and bring Mabel back with us."

"Very well; you and Jessica meet me at my office at four o'clock
to-morrow afternoon," said Mr. Bright. "But what do you girls intend to
do with her, once you get her? You can't adopt her, you know."

"She is to tak