I should not have suspected that you were her brother." "She is not my own sister," explained Jack, "but I love her just the same." "Do you live in Philadelphia?
Could I see her ?" asked the lady, eagerly.
"I live in New York, madam," said Jack; "but Ida was stolen from us about three weeks since, and I have come here in pursuit of her.

I have not been able to find her yet." "Did you call her Ida ?" demanded the lady, in strange agitation.
"Yes, madam." "My young friend," said the woman, rapidly, "I have been much interested in the story of your sister.

I should like to hear more, but not here.
Would you have any objection to coming home with me, and telling me the rest?
Then we will together concert measures for recovering her." "You are very kind, madam," said Jack, bashfully; for the lady was elegantly dressed, and it had never been his fortune to converse with a lady of her social position.

"I shall be glad to go home with you, and shall be very much obliged for your advice and assistance." "Then we will drive home at once." With natural gallantry, Jack assisted the lady into the carriage, and, at her bidding, got in himself.
"Home, Thomas!" she directed the driver; "and drive as fast as possible." "Yes, madam." "How old was your sister when your parents adopted her ?" asked Mrs.Clifton.
Jack afterward ascertained that this was her name.
"About a year old, madam." "And how long since was that ?" asked the lady, waiting for the answer with breathless interest.
"Seven years since.

She is now eight." "It must be," murmured the lady, in low tones.