ou have imposed upon her
for the last time, for she shall not spend another hour under your
roof."

"You touch her if you dare. She shan't leave this house," said the woman
in a furious tone.

"Mabel," said Mr. Bright to the young girl, who was cowering at one end
of the hall, "get your things and come at once. We will wait for you.
As for you," turning to Miss Brant, "if you try to stop her, you will
soon find yourself in a most unpleasant position. I am certain that if
you think back for an instant you will realize that you have forfeited
all right to object."

For a moment Miss Brant stood speechless with anger, then in her wrath
she poured forth such a flood of abuse that the rescue party stared in
amazement. Never had they seen such an exhibition of temper. When Mabel
appeared, her shabby hat in her hand, Miss Brant reached forward and
tore the hat from her.

"Don't you dare leave my house with any of my property, you baggage,"
she hissed. "I paid for that hat and for the clothes you're wearing, and
you'll send every stitch you've on back to me, or I'll have you arrested
for stealing."

[Illustration: "Don't You Dare Leave This House With My Property."]

"Come on, Mabel," said Grace, putting her arm around the shrinking
little figure. "Don't pay any attention to her. She isn't worth
bothering over. You can send her back her ridiculous things. You are
going to be happy now, and forget all about this cruel, terrible woman."

"You brazen imp, you," screamed the woman, and rushed at Grace, who
stood perfectly still, looking the angry woman in the face with such
open scorn in her gray eyes that Miss Brant drew back and stood scowling
at her, her hands working convulsively.

"Come, girls," said Mr. Bright. "We have no more time to waste. If you
have anything to say to me, Miss Brant, you can always find me at my
office on East Main Street. The clothing now worn by Miss Mabel will be
returned to you in due season. Good afternoon."

Mr. Bright, bowing politely, motioned to the three young girls to
precede him, and the party went quietly down the walk, leaving Miss
Brant in the open door, shaking her fist and uttering dire threats.

As for Mabel, she collapsed utterly, crying as though her heart would
break. Grace and Jessica exerted every effort to quiet her sobs, and
after a little she looked up, and, smiling through her tears, said
brokenly: "I can't believe that it's all true--that I shall never have
to go