No sleep came to Mrs. Hampton’s eyes during the rest of the night, and when Jess was comfortably in bed and asleep the restless woman paced up and down her own room, racked with conflicting emotions.  What should she do? she asked herself over and over again.  She knew now that the girl had run away from home, and should she send her back?  But how could she?  That she must keep her at all cost, was the thought uppermost in her mind.  She was her own child, a part of her very self.  The girl had been wonderfully brought to her, and was it not a sign that she should stay?  But what about the girl’s foster parents?  Could they claim her still?

Twice during the quiet morning hours Mrs. Hampton had stolen gently into the girl’s room and stood watching her as she slept.  She could see her plainly by the shaded lamp on the dresser.  A deep feeling of pride and love welled up in her heart as she looked upon the fair, pure face.  She was certain she could detect the father’s features in forehead, mouth and chin.  He had been a handsome man, and this girl resembled him in a marked degree.

During the second visit as she was about to leave the room Jess suddenly opened her eyes.  Seeing Mrs. Hampton, a smile illumined her face.

“I have had such a beautiful dream,” she said.  “I dreamed that you were my mother, and that you were rescuing me from people who were trying to steal me away from you.  Wasn’t it funny?”

Mrs. Hampton gave a slight start, and looked searchingly into the girl’s eyes.  Then she knelt by her side and gave her a fervent kiss.

“Would you like to have me for your mother?” she asked.

“Would I!  Oh, how glorious it would be!  I have known you only a few hours, and yet you seem more like my mother than anyone I have ever met.  You are so kind and loving, just what I have often longed my own mother to be like.”

“She has been good to you, though, has she not?”

“Oh, yes.  In a way she has been very good, though there was something lacking which I cannot explain.  I never saw her look at me as you are looking at me now.  I could never confide in her, nor go to her with my little troubles.  She did not wish to be bothered.  She was just as affectionate to our cat and dog as she was to me.  But you are altogether different.  I wonder why it is?  I believe you really love me, and for love my heart has been longing for years.”

“Then stay right here with us, dear,” Mrs. Hampton replied, at the same time pressing the girl’s hand in hers.  “I want you to be my daughter, and I shall love you to your heart’s content.”  She was going to add that John would, too, but she refrained.  Just what understanding there was between the two she was not sure, although she had the feeling that they loved each other dearly.

“But suppose daddy finds me here and takes me home?” Jess asked.  “I feel that I should get farther away.  I must not go back to my old life.  I want to be free, to make my own living, and then——­” She hesitated, and paused while her face crimsoned.