ntly the five young people had slipped out of a side door of the
gymnasium and started down a back street in the direction of Anne's
house. They had not gone far, however, before they became aware that
they were being followed. Grace was the first to call the attention of
Nora and Jessica to a long, slim figure stealing after them in the
shadows.

"Here he comes," whispered Jessica. "What in the world do you suppose he
wants with our poor little Anne?"

"I believe he's going to stop us," returned Grace. "He is coming nearer
and nearer."

"Anne, I command you to wait!" called a voice from behind them.

They all stopped suddenly and Anne jumped as though she had received a
shock.

A tall, theatrical-looking individual had come up to them. He wore a
shabby frock coat and a black slouch hat, which he raised with an
elaborate flourish when he saw the young girls.

"Pardon me, ladies," he said, "but I wish to speak with my daughter."

Anne controlled herself with an effort.

"I cannot see you now, father," she said. "It is quite late and I must
get back."

"You shall not only speak to me but you shall come with me," exclaimed
the man, with a sudden flare of anger. "I will not submit to
disobedience again. Come at once!"

"Father, I cannot go with you," cried Anne, clinging to her friends. "I
would rather be with mother and Mary. They need me more than you do and
I want to go to school and study to be a teacher."

The man was now beside himself with theatrical rage.

"Miserable child!" he cried, waving his arms wildly. "I shall take you
if I must by force." Breaking through the group, he seized the hand of
his daughter and dragged her after him.

"Oh, save me!" cried the poor girl, struggling to release herself.

"I can't stand this! If she doesn't want to go with him, she shan't,
father or no father," growled David, dashing after the pair.

"Stop, sir!" he cried, seizing Anne's other hand. "I must ask you to
release this young lady at once."

"Insolent boy!" cried the other, giving each word an oratorical
flourish, "are you not aware that this young lady, as you call her, is
merely a child, and that she happens to be my daughter? I cannot see
that you have a right to interfere in a family matter."

"But I have no proof that Miss Pierson is your daughter," retorted
David. "It is enough that she doesn't want to go with you. I undertook
to see her safely to her own home, this evening, and I mean to do it.
A