sister at their camp in the Adirondacks. The judge had conceived a
great affection for her, and on hearing her story had offered to
adopt her.

This proved a cross to Jessica, who was torn between her desire to
keep Mabel with her, and the feeling that the opportunity was too
great for Mabel to refuse. Mabel had left the decision to Jessica,
and the judge was still awaiting his answer.

"I might have known something would happen to take her away,"
almost wailed Jessica. "First, the judge, and now--"

"Don't be a goose, Jessica," said Nora stoutly, "and don't jump at
the conclusion that this strange woman is a relative of Mabel's.
There are lots of chance resemblances."

"Of course there are," consoled Grace. "When we go to the hospital
to-morrow we'll find no doubt that our stranger is named 'Smith'
or 'Brown' or anything except 'Allison.'"

"Don't worry, dear," said Anne, slipping her hand into Jessica's.
"No one will take your one chicken from you."

"I don't know about that," responded Jessica gloomily. "I feel in
my bones that something terrible is going to happen. I suppose you
girls think me foolish about Mabel, but I've no mother or sister,
and you know yourselves what a dear Mabel is."

"Forget it," advised Nora wisely. "We've had enough to harrow our
young feelings to-day. Let's go and drown our sorrows in sundaes.