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diff --git a/11166-h/11166-h.htm b/11166-h/11166-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6e5a4b3 --- /dev/null +++ b/11166-h/11166-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,10942 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<html> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" + content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of + For Gold Or Soul?, + by Lurana W. Sheldon. +</title> +<style type="text/css"> + <!-- + * { font-family: Times;} + P { margin-top: .75em; + font-size: 12pt; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; } + HR { width: 33%; } + PRE { font-family: Courier, monospaced; } + BODY { margin-left: 4%; margin-right: 4%; } + // --> +</style> +</head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of For Gold or Soul?, by Lurana W. Sheldon + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: For Gold or Soul? + The Story of a Great Department Store + +Author: Lurana W. Sheldon + +Release Date: February 19, 2004 [EBook #11166] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: US-ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FOR GOLD OR SOUL? *** + + + + +Produced by Steven desJardins and Distributed Proofreaders + + + + + +</pre> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h1>For Gold or Soul?</h1> +<h3> +<i>THE STORY OF A GREAT DEPARTMENT STORE</i> +</h3> +<h2>By LURANA W. SHELDON </h2> +<p> </p> +<h3> +1900 +</h3> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<center> +<img src="cover.jpg" width="40%" +alt="Faith Marvin"> +</center> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<hr> +<p> </p> +<h3>CONTENTS</h3> +<center style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;"><a href="#CH1">CHAPTER I.</a> — IN THE SUPERINTENDENT'S OFFICE.</center> +<center style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;"><a href="#CH2">CHAPTER II.</a> — A HUMBLE BEGINNING.</center> +<center style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;"><a href="#CH3">CHAPTER III.</a> — A GLIMPSE OF THE DARKNESS.</center> +<center style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;"><a href="#CH4">CHAPTER IV.</a> — SOME UNPLEASANT INFORMATION.</center> +<center style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;"><a href="#CH5">CHAPTER V.</a> — THE FIRST INSULT.</center> +<center style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;"><a href="#CH6">CHAPTER VI.</a> — FAITH DISCOVERS A FRESH HORROR.</center> +<center style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;"><a href="#CH7">CHAPTER VII.</a> — FRESH GLIMPSES OF EVIL.</center> +<center style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;"><a href="#CH8">CHAPTER VIII.</a> — A FIENDISH PROPOSITION.</center> +<center style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;"><a href="#CH9">CHAPTER IX.</a> — THE PLEA OF MISS JENNINGS.</center> +<center style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;"><a href="#CH10">CHAPTER X.</a> — A STARTLING SUGGESTION.</center> +<center style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;"><a href="#CH11">CHAPTER XI.</a> — A DEATH IN THE CLOAK-ROOM.</center> +<center style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;"><a href="#CH12">CHAPTER XII.</a> — A COMPLICATION OF TROUBLES.</center> +<center style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;"><a href="#CH13">CHAPTER XIII.</a> — A HEAVENLY INSPECTOR.</center> +<center style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;"><a href="#CH14">CHAPTER XIV.</a> — MR. FORBES TALKS ON RELIGION.</center> +<center style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;"><a href="#CH15">CHAPTER XV.</a> — A PLAIN TRUTH FROM MR. WATKINS.</center> +<center style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;"><a href="#CH16">CHAPTER XVI.</a> — FAITH'S TALK WITH YOUNG DENTON.</center> +<center style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;"><a href="#CH17">CHAPTER XVII.</a> — THE PARTNERS DO A LITTLE TALKING.</center> +<center style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;"><a href="#CH18">CHAPTER XVIII.</a> — FAITH BECOMES AN OBJECT OF JEALOUSY.</center> +<center style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;"><a href="#CH19">CHAPTER XIX.</a> — FAITH GETS ACQUAINTED WITH THE THIEF.</center> +<center style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;"><a href="#CH20">CHAPTER XX.</a> — ANOTHER TALK WITH JAMES DENTON.</center> +<center style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;"><a href="#CH21">CHAPTER XXI.</a> — A CHANGE IN MR. DENTON.</center> +<center style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;"><a href="#CH22">CHAPTER XXII.</a> — THE BEGINNING OF THE HARVEST.</center> +<center style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;"><a href="#CH23">CHAPTER XXIII.</a> — MISS JENNINGS' FUNERAL.</center> +<center style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;"><a href="#CH24">CHAPTER XXIV.</a> — MR. DENTON'S ULTIMATUM.</center> +<center style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;"><a href="#CH25">CHAPTER XXV.</a> — MR. DENTON GIVES SOME ORDERS.</center> +<center style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;"><a href="#CH26">CHAPTER XXVI.</a> — SOME STARTLING CHANGES.</center> +<center style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;"><a href="#CH27">CHAPTER XXVII.</a> — THE POISONED CANDY.</center> +<center style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;"><a href="#CH28">CHAPTER XXVIII.</a> — A PAINFUL SITUATION.</center> +<center style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;"><a href="#CH29">CHAPTER XXIX.</a> — A VISITOR AT THE FLAT.</center> +<center style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;"><a href="#CH30">CHAPTER XXX.</a> — THE UNEXPECTED FORTUNE.</center> +<center style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;"><a href="#CH31">CHAPTER XXXI.</a> — MAG BRADY'S ARREST.</center> +<center style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;"><a href="#CH32">CHAPTER XXXII.</a> — ANOTHER TALK WITH THE INSPECTOR.</center> +<center style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;"><a href="#CH33">CHAPTER XXXIII.</a> — FAITH VISITS MAGGIE.</center> +<center style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;"><a href="#CH34">CHAPTER XXXIV.</a> — MR. FORBES REACHES A DECISION.</center> +<center style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;"><a href="#CH35">CHAPTER XXXV.</a> — MAGGIE BRADY'S SECRET.</center> +<center style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;"><a href="#CH36">CHAPTER XXXVI.</a> — JIM DENTON'S CONFESSION.</center> +<center style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;"><a href="#CH37">CHAPTER XXXVII.</a> — THE BLESSING OF REPENTANCE.</center> +<center style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;"><a href="#CH38">CHAPTER XXXVIII.</a> — LOU IS CAUGHT AT LAST.</center> +<center style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;"><a href="#CH39">CHAPTER XXXIX.</a> — THE PENANCE FOR SIN.</center> +<center style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;"><a href="#CH40">CHAPTER XL.</a> — A GOLDEN OUTLOOK.</center> +<hr> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h1> +FOR GOLD OR SOUL +</h1> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<a name="CH1"><!-- CH1 --></a> +<h2> + CHAPTER I. +</h2> + +<h3> +IN THE SUPERINTENDENT'S OFFICE. +</h3> +<p> </p> +<p> +The monster department store of Messrs. Denton, Day & Co. was thronged +with shoppers, although the morning was still young. +</p> +<p> +Scores of pale-faced women and narrow-chested men stood behind the +counters, while "cash girls," with waxen cheeks and scrawny figures, +darted here and there on their ceaseless errands. On the fifth floor of +the building, where the firm's offices were quartered, a score or more +of anxious girls and women waited eagerly for an opportunity to enter +their applications for service. +</p> +<p> +At last a private door was opened by an elfish-looking boy, and the +earliest applicant was allowed to enter, the boy warning her, as she did +so, to "be quick about it." +</p> +<p> +"So you are looking for work? Well, what can you do? Got any references? +Talk fast, for I have no time to waste on applicants." +</p> +<p> +The speaker was Mr. Duncan Forbes, junior partner, as well as business +superintendent of the establishment, and the person spoken to was a +beautiful girl, about seventeen years of age, who had called to apply +for a position as saleswoman. +</p> +<p> +"I have never worked before, sir," said the young girl, trying to obey +and talk as rapidly as possible, "but I am sure I could learn in a very +short time, if only you will give me a trial as saleswoman. Do please +give me a trial!" +</p> +<p> +The keen-eyed superintendent looked over her scrutinizingly. +</p> +<p> +He at once saw that she was a girl unaccustomed to drudgery, and that +her clothes were of fine materials, although they were fast growing +shabby. +</p> +<p> +Her cheeks were rosy from plenty of exercise in the sun and air, her +figure was rounded, and her carriage graceful. +</p> +<p> +She did not resemble in the least the sallow-faced specimens of +womanhood who swarmed over Denton, Day & Co.'s various departments, but +these very differences seemed to influence him against her. He wanted +girls with experience, and experience, in their line of business, meant +haggard expressions and sallow faces. +</p> +<p> +His answer was as heartless as crisp words could make it. +</p> +<p> +"Can't do it! The thing would be ridiculous! We have no time nor +inclination to break in green hands, besides, we've got help enough at +present; it's almost our dull season." +</p> +<p> +"But I would be a cash girl, anything!" the girl urged, eagerly. "Oh, I +need work so badly, and I've been all over the city!" +</p> +<p> +The tears had risen to her eyes and were trembling on her lashes. She +clasped her hands entreatingly as the superintendent rudely turned his +back upon her. +</p> +<p> +"Can't do it, I tell you, so there's no use taking up any more of my +time! Well, what is it, Watkins?" +</p> +<p> +The question was addressed to an employee, a pale, slim young man, who +had just entered the office. +</p> +<p> +"Excuse me, Mr. Forbes, but there's three clerks absent to-day. They +have sent word that they are sick. Mr. Gibson told me to tell you." +</p> +<p> +"Who are they, do you know?" +</p> +<p> +Mr. Forbes spoke sharply, his face flushing with anger. +</p> +<p> +"Miss Jennings and Miss Brown—" began the young man, but his superior +stopped him before he could finish. +</p> +<p> +"That Miss Jennings is faking! She is no more sick than I am! This is +the third time this month that she has staid away because of sickness! +It's probably an excuse to go on some picnic or other. Tell Mr. Gibson +that I say to fine her double the regular amount. We must put a stop to +this sham sickness among the women clerks; it's getting too frequent!" +</p> +<p> +"But I am sure Miss Jennings is sick," began Mr. Watkins, impetuously. +"You should hear her cough! And I know her mother died of consumption." +</p> +<p> +"You know too much for your own good, Watkins," broke in the +superintendent, sharply. "Just keep your knowledge to yourself if you +wish to hold your position in this establishment!" +</p> +<p> +A flush rose quickly to the young man's brow. He bit his lips and locked +his fingers together nervously. +</p> +<p> +It was plain that another word would have meant his immediate discharge, +and there was an invalid mother depending upon him. He was obliged to +hold his peace, though the words almost choked him. "Then I am to tell +Mr. Gibson to double Miss Jennings' fine." +</p> +<p> +The superintendent broke in upon him again in his snappiest manner. +</p> +<p> +He had suddenly turned and caught sight of the timid young applicant, +who was standing almost motionless in the centre of the office. +</p> +<p> +"No!" he roared out, angrily. "Tell him to discharge Miss Jennings at +once! Here is a girl he can take on in her place. She's green, but Miss +Fairbanks, the buyer, can train her." +</p> +<p> +"Oh! no, sir! Not for the world!" +</p> +<p> +It was a cry of almost horror that issued from the young girl's lips. +Even Mr. Forbes looked startled, and he was not usually startled at +anything. +</p> +<p> +The applicant was standing before him now, with her head held high and +her blue eyes flashed like diamonds over his shameful proposition. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, no, sir! I beg that you will not dream of doing such a thing. I +would starve before I would deprive that poor girl of her position. If +you have no place for me, I will go at once. If I were to take her place +it would be a cruel injustice!" +</p> +<p> +She looked him fearlessly in the face as she spoke the words. Her whole +manner had changed. She was timid no longer. +</p> +<p> +Mr. Forbes stared at her curiously for half a minute. He saw that there +was a spirit in her that would make her valuable in business. +</p> +<p> +In an instant his manner changed to a studied indifference. He rubbed +his hands together gently, toying with a fine ring upon his finger. +</p> +<p> +"But I shall discharge Miss Jennings any way, so if you do not accept +the position I will give it to some one else," he said. "You can take it +or leave it. Decide quick; which is it?" +</p> +<p> +For the space of a second the applicant wavered, but in that second she +read something in Mr. Watkins' expression. His look was unmistakable. He +was waiting to see if she faltered in her decision. +</p> +<p> +She raised her head and looked Mr. Forbes squarely in the eyes. +</p> +<p> +"I thank you, sir, for your offer," she said, as calmly as she could, +"but I would rather die than do anything I considered wrong, and this +act of yours is both wicked and unjust! God will punish you for your +cruelty to that poor Miss Jennings!" +</p> +<p> +She turned and walked toward the door, leaving Mr. Forbes and Mr. +Watkins both staring after her. +</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<a name="CH2"><!-- CH2 --></a> +<h2> + CHAPTER II. +</h2> + +<h3> +A HUMBLE BEGINNING. +</h3> +<p> </p> +<p> +It was the second time that the young girl had succeeded in startling +the superintendent, but this time she had accomplished far more than she +knew, for her few words fell upon the brain of the business man with a +significance that for a moment almost overcame him. Under favorable +conditions far less thrilling words than these have taken root and +yielded a bountiful harvest, but the time for this man's awakening was +at hand. His only son, a youth of nineteen, was lying critically ill at +home, and, while Mr. Forbes was worldly, he was also unusually +superstitious, and her words, "God will punish you," rang in his ears +like a blast from a trumpet. +</p> +<p> +Almost involuntarily he took a step forward. He could not explain so +unusual an action. +</p> +<p> +"Wait!" he said, peremptorily. +</p> +<p> +The young girl paused, with her hand on the door. +</p> +<p> +"I am not so cruel as you think, miss," he said, trying to speak as +sternly as ever, "so your speech just now was entirely uncalled for. If +you are really in desperate need of work, I can give you a position as +packer at three dollars a week. This is the best I can offer. Do you +care to accept it?" +</p> +<p> +"I will take any position where I am not defrauding any one else, sir," +the girl answered, quickly. "But I could not accept what belongs to +another. I think that money so earned would prove a curse instead of a +blessing." +</p> +<p> +The superintendent stared at her with a puzzled look. +</p> +<p> +"What is your name?" he asked, after this second scrutiny of her +features. +</p> +<p> +"Faith Marvin, sir," replied the applicant, promptly. +</p> +<p> +Mr. Forbes repeated the name a little absently. +</p> +<p> +Miss Marvin watched him eagerly. Her face had flushed a little. +</p> +<p> +"I've heard that name somewhere, but I can't think where," remarked Mr. +Forbes, with a glance toward Mr. Watkins, "but it don't matter about the +name. Come to-morrow morning at seven-thirty, sharp, and I'll set you to +work. Well, what is it, Jackson?" +</p> +<p> +Another employee had entered hurriedly. +</p> +<p> +As he stood directly in her way, Miss Marvin could not leave the office +at once, so she was forced to hear the conversation that followed. +</p> +<p> +"There's one of them Government Inspectors on the first floor, sir," +reported the newcomer, "and she's a sharp one, I can tell you! Mr. +Gibson wants to know if you'll come down and see her. It's the +lavatories, sir; she's determined to see 'em." +</p> +<p> +The change that came over the superintendent's face at this announcement +was astonishing. His naturally florid features grew as red as a blaze, +and he actually increased in size as he swelled with indignation. +</p> +<p> +"Another of those prying, inquisitive people, hey!" he cried furiously. +"Another spy to look over the store and report to the Board of Health +that our plumbing is out of order! Tell Mr. Gibson I'll come down at +once, and see here, Jackson, tell him to keep her on the first floor. +I'll send the porter to the basement to open the windows. They shall not +get ahead of me, the impudent creatures. The firm of Denton, Day & Co. +is not going to waste money on new-fangled sanitary improvements just to +please a lot of cranks with sensitive noses!" +</p> +<p> +Mr. Jackson hurried away at once to report to the manager, Mr. Gibson, +leaving his employer still fuming and growing angrier every minute. +</p> +<p> +He was so terrible in his anger that Miss Marvin was glad when she was +able to slip through the door at last and pick her way through the group +of applicants, who were still patiently waiting. +</p> +<p> +Mr. Forbes took no notice of her departure, as he was pushing back the +papers on his desk, preparatory to closing it. +</p> +<p> +Suddenly he uttered an exclamation that made Mr. Watkins jump. He had +been looking over a file of letters, but turned quickly to see what was +the matter. +</p> +<p> +"Quick, Watkins, stop her! Stop her!" cried the superintendent, +sharply. "There were five hundred dollars on my desk ten minutes ago! +It's gone, every cent of it. Quick, I tell you. Stop her!" +</p> +<p> +"Stop who?" +</p> +<p> +Mr. Watkins was over to the door before he asked the question. +</p> +<p> +"Faith Marvin, that girl that was looking for a job. The money was on +the desk while she was here in the office. She's stolen it and gone, and +to think, I offered her a position!" +</p> +<p> +Mr. Forbes ran his hands through his hair and glared at Mr. Watkins. +</p> +<p> +"Well, why don't you go?" he thundered, as the young man stood stock +still, staring at him like a dummy. +</p> +<p> +Mr. Watkins hurried from the office on his disagreeable errand. He would +have staked his all that the girl had not touched the money. +</p> +<p> +Mr. Forbes made a hurried search through his desk while the young man +was gone. He was so upset about his loss that he had forgotten the +Government Inspector completely. +</p> +<p> +The five hundred dollars was not to be found and Mr. Forbes was allowing +his temper full vent—through the usual medium of blasphemous profanity. +</p> +<p> +He was so positive that the girl would be caught at once that he almost +gasped when Mr. Watkins came back without her. +</p> +<p> +"She's gone, sir," said the young man, shortly. "The detective here saw +her go out. She went down the elevator and out the side entrance. Bob's +description of her is all right. I am sure it was Miss Marvin." +</p> +<p> +Bob Hardy, a store detective, came in while Mr. Watkins was speaking. +</p> +<p> +"I'm right, sir; couldn't be mistaken. She was out like an arrow," he +said, respectfully. +</p> +<p> +"And to think that I was stupid enough not to take her address, but +probably she would have lied about it. Those creatures are always +tricky," snarled the superintendent. +</p> +<p> +The detective took a step forward and removed his hat. +</p> +<p> +"There'll be no trouble in finding her, sir," he said; "I know who she +is. I've seen her a dozen times before, and I'm not apt to be mistaken." +</p> +<p> +The superintendent looked at him questioningly, so the officer went on: +</p> +<p> +"She's the daughter of Douglass Marvin, who used to keep a bookstore in +this block. Denton, Day & Co. put him out of business when they opened +their book department. He committed suicide soon after he failed. He +left a wife and this daughter, and not a penny." +</p> +<p> +"Then the deed was deliberate!" cried Mr. Forbes, almost choking with +anger. "The girl is trying to square accounts for what we did to her +father!" +</p> +<p> +"Nonsense!" +</p> +<p> +Mr. Watkins uttered the word with extraordinary daring. +</p> +<p> +"She came here to look for a job, and you have offered her one, Mr. +Forbes! Mark my words, she'll be on hand to-morrow morning at half-past +seven!" +</p> +<p> +"And the money?" +</p> +<p> +The superintendent turned upon the speaker with a perfect thundercloud +darkening his face. +</p> +<p> +"Perhaps, as you know so much, Watkins, you can explain about the +money!" +</p> +<p> +Before any one could answer the door opened and Mr. Jackson came in +again. +</p> +<p> +"Please, Mr. Forbes, the manager says come down quick, sir!" he cried, +with a grin. "He can't keep that Government woman out of the basement +much longer." +</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<a name="CH3"><!-- CH3 --></a> +<h2> + CHAPTER III. +</h2> + +<h3> +A GLIMPSE OF THE DARKNESS. +</h3> + +<p> </p> +<p> +When Faith Marvin reached the employees' entrance of Denton, Day & Co.'s +department store the next morning at half-past seven, she was shown into +a room that was a sort of cloak-room, lunch-room and lavatory combined, +in the basement of the building. +</p> +<p> +The place was poorly lighted and badly ventilated, and there were fully +two hundred women and girls crowding and jostling each other while they +hung up their wraps and put on false sleeves and black aprons. +</p> +<p> +For a while the din was confusing, but Faith soon began to see and hear +distinctly. +</p> +<p> +She was amazed and then horrified at the snatches of conversation she +heard. Even a little cash girl used language that was almost profanity, +and others made remarks of a most heartless nature. +</p> +<p> +Here and there Faith saw a face that looked different from the rest. +They were mostly pale, pinched faces, bearing deep lines of care, but +they all looked stolid, hardened and indifferent. +</p> +<p> +"I suppose it's the hard work and worry," whispered Faith, +involuntarily. Just then she felt some one tapping her smartly on the +shoulder. +</p> +<p> +She turned quickly and confronted a woman about her own height, who had +the sharpest pair of eyes that Faith ever remembered seeing. +</p> +<p> +"Is this Faith Marvin?" +</p> +<p> +The woman spoke softly, but her voice was cold and metallic. +</p> +<p> +"It is," answered Faith. "I was told to come this morning. Can you give +me any information as to where I am to go? I see the others are all +hurrying upstairs, but there is no one to direct me." +</p> +<p> +The woman had not taken her eyes from Faith's face while the young girl +was talking. She seemed to be scanning her features with more than +ordinary curiosity. +</p> +<p> +"Where do you live?" +</p> +<p> +The question was asked by the woman in a business-like manner, but as +Faith hesitated before answering the sharp eyes twinkled a little. +</p> +<p> +"Am I obliged to give my address?" asked Faith very slowly. +</p> +<p> +"Certainly—it's the rule of the house." +</p> +<p> +The woman frowned as she answered. +</p> +<p> +Faith gave her address in a faltering voice. She had hoped to be able to +keep that a secret. +</p> +<p> +The woman wrote down the address on a piece of paper. +</p> +<p> +"A mother and father?" was the next brief question. +</p> +<p> +Faith's face was scarlet now, but she answered promptly. +</p> +<p> +"A mother, yes; but my father is dead. He was Douglass Marvin. He owned +a bookstore in this block. When Denton, Day & Co. opened their book +department my father was ruined." +</p> +<p> +The woman looked at her enviously as she asked the next question. +</p> +<p> +"How did you happen to come to this store to look for work? Don't you +resent the injury that was done to your father?" +</p> +<p> +In a second Faith Marvin's eyes filled with tears. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, no!" she cried hastily. "I bear no resentment! I know it is always +the weak who must suffer! I came here because I was desperately in need +of work. My mother's health is failing and we are penniless." +</p> +<p> +"Well, it's lucky you're so forgiving," said the woman with a peculiar +stare; "but come, you must report to Miss Fairbanks, the buyer in the +ribbon department! She's on the first floor. I'll take you to her." +</p> +<p> +Miss Fairbanks looked Faith over almost as sharply as the other woman +had done. +</p> +<p> +She was short-handed that morning, so there was no time for +preliminaries. +</p> +<p> +"Ever work in a store before?" was her first business-like question. +</p> +<p> +"No, madam," said Faith timidly; "I have had no experience at all, but +I am sure I shall learn quickly if you will be so kind as to teach me." +</p> +<p> +She was beginning to tremble a little for fear the woman would not try +her. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, I guess you'll do if you are not too stuck up," said the buyer +carelessly. "Girls who have never worked in a store always think they +know it all, and that sort of thing doesn't go, not in my department!" +</p> +<p> +She led Faith up to one of the gates at the ribbon counter and showed +her how to crawl up to the packer's desk above the shelves, where the +stock was kept. +</p> +<p> +"Now, when one of the saleswomen hands you up a check and some ribbon +you must measure the ribbon carefully to see that the firm is not being +cheated," she explained in a shrill voice, "and if one of the girls +makes a mistake report it to me immediately." +</p> +<p> +Faith was up by this time and trying to accommodate herself to the +awkward position, while she listened intently to all the buyer's +instructions. +</p> +<p> +The packer's desk was so low that it cramped her limbs even in sitting, +and Faith soon saw that she was older and larger than any other girl in +that position on the floor. +</p> +<p> +This fact alone made her feel awkward and uncomfortable, and when she +saw one of the clerks looking up at her and tittering she blushed and +nearly cried through sheer embarrassment. To add to her nervousness she +soon noticed that two men, who were standing in one of the aisles, were +watching her every movement for some reason or other. She was thankful +when the checks and goods began to come up. It was a relief to keep her +eyes on the different packages. +</p> +<p> +Faith had never had much experience in doing up parcels, but she managed +very nicely after her hands stopped trembling. +</p> +<p> +Long before noon she was aching in every muscle. The dust that rose from +the floor was irritating her throat and the store was so hot that her +head was aching. +</p> +<p> +She looked down at the clerks, who had been on their feet steadily since +eight o'clock, and began to understand the callousness of their +expressions. A great throb of pity for them, rather than for herself, +dimmed her eyes for an instant so that she could not see her packages. +</p> +<p> +During that first few hours Faith could not help noticing how often +Number 89 sent up goods to be wrapped. There were double as many sales +to her credit as to any of the others at the counter, and at a leisure +moment she leaned over and looked down at her. +</p> +<p> +Just as she did so Number 89 was seized with a fit of coughing. It was +over in a minute, but was extremely severe while it lasted. +</p> +<p> +In spite of herself Faith could not resist glancing at her often, and +once when she caught her eye she smiled at her pleasantly. +</p> +<p> +The effect was magical. +</p> +<p> +Number 89 soon handed up a check and three yards of ribbon, and as their +hands met over the goods she caught and squeezed the "packer's" little +finger. +</p> +<p> +"I'm sorry you have such a cough!" +</p> +<p> +Faith whispered the words quickly. +</p> +<p> +Number 89 was about to reply when Miss Fairbanks, the buyer, passed the +counter. +</p> +<p> +"No loitering, Miss Jennings! Don't you see there are customers waiting? +Forward at once! And you, packer, attend to business! I see you have +goods in your hands. Wrap them up this minute!" +</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<a name="CH4"><!-- CH4 --></a> +<h2> + CHAPTER IV. +</h2> + +<h3> +SOME UNPLEASANT INFORMATION. +</h3> +<p> </p> +<p> +Faith's face turned scarlet, but she obeyed at once. The next instant +the buyer was forgotten. She was thinking of Miss Jennings. +</p> +<p> +So the superintendent had not carried out his threat after all. He could +not have forgotten it, his anger had been too genuine. +</p> +<p> +Faith was thankful enough that the poor girl was still at work, although +she looked sick enough to be in bed in the care of a doctor. +</p> +<p> +As Faith looked at her she could see plainly the stamp of death upon her +brow. Her cheeks were bloodless and her eyes were sunken. +</p> +<p> +After eleven o'clock the girls took turns in going to their luncheons. +Some repaired to the basement lunch room, while others who could afford +it patronized the nearby restaurants. +</p> +<p> +It was a pleasant surprise to Faith when Miss Jennings joined her in the +lunch room. She had a paper bag in her hand, while Faith carried a small +basket. +</p> +<p> +Almost instinctively the two girls drew away from the others. There was +a bond of sympathy between them that they could not account for. +</p> +<p> +"Do tell me your name," whispered Miss Jennings at once. "It does sound +so 'shoppy' to be always saying 'packer.'" +</p> +<p> +She had opened her bag and taken out a cracker. It was evident that +there was no time to be wasted in lunching. +</p> +<p> +"Call me Faith, if you will. I should like to have you so much! I think +it will make me feel a little less strange," was the impulsive answer. +</p> +<p> +"I will if you'll call me Mary," replied Miss Jennings. "I've just been +longing to talk to you all the morning, but there's no dodging Miss +Fairbanks' eye; it's always upon you." +</p> +<p> +"Are we not supposed to speak at all?" asked Faith, who was forgetting +to eat her luncheon. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, yes, we can speak, but not if there are customers waiting. But, +tell me, how do you happen to be a packer? You are too old for that kind +of work, and quite too clever, I'm sure," said Miss Jennings kindly. +</p> +<p> +Faith told her how difficult it had been to get any position at all, but +she did not dream of telling her how closely her name and work had been +connected with the matter. +</p> +<p> +When she spoke of Mr. Forbes, Miss Jennings fairly shuddered. +</p> +<p> +"He's a terrible brute," she said in a nervous whisper. "And what do you +think, Faith; he's a Sunday-school teacher!" +</p> +<p> +"Oh no, it can't be!" +</p> +<p> +Faith caught her breath with a shiver. +</p> +<p> +"I mean, it doesn't seem possible," she added after a minute. +</p> +<p> +"Yes, he is," reiterated Miss Jennings soberly. +</p> +<p> +"I used to go to the same church. Now I don't go to any—I have no use +for religion!" +</p> +<p> +She started coughing, and this gave Faith an opportunity to recover from +the shock. When the spasm was over she put her arms affectionately over +Miss Jennings' shoulder. +</p> +<p> +"What has turned you against religion, dear?" she asked very softly. "Is +it such men as Mr. Forbes, or just the bitterness from misfortune?" +</p> +<p> +"Both," said Miss Jennings stubbornly and with a little frown on her +face. +</p> +<p> +"If God is good, why is there so much misery? If He is just, why are we +subjected to such terrible oppression, and if He is merciful, why +doesn't He hear us when we pray to Him to help us bear our burdens?" +</p> +<p> +There was a ring of defiance in Miss Jennings' tones. As Faith looked at +the pinched features her frame became almost convulsed with anguish. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, I wish I could answer all your questions, dear!" she cried softly, +"and I can, I am sure, if you will just lay aside your bitterness! You +are holding black glasses to your own eyes, you poor child, but the +light will come; you must keep on praying for it!" +</p> +<p> +"There is no use, Faith. I've prayed until I'm tired. But don't mind me, +dear. I'm what they call a pessimist. I look on the dark side of +everything, I suppose; but listen, do you hear what that cash girl is +saying?" +</p> +<p> +Faith shook her head. She had heard nothing but her companion's words. +</p> +<p> +"Jack Forbes is dying! I saw it in the paper. That's why the old bear +isn't here to-day, I suppose! It will just serve him right! I'm not a +bit sorry!" +</p> +<p> +Cash girl Number 9 laughed shrilly as she finished her announcement, and +in the remarks that followed Faith learned who Jack Forbes was, and that +he was a really fine fellow in spite of his gold-loving father. +</p> +<p> +In a second she understood also why Miss Jennings was still working. No +doubt she would be discharged as soon as Mr. Forbes came back to +business. +</p> +<p> +She moved nearer to her companion as this thought flashed through her +mind. +</p> +<p> +Just then a man stuck his head in the lunch room and looked around. When +he saw Faith he stared a minute, and then disappeared very suddenly. +</p> +<p> +"Hello! Wonder who Hardy is after?" cried one of the girls. +</p> +<p> +"Who was he?" asked Faith in a whisper of Miss Jennings. "I've seen him +watching me several times this morning." +</p> +<p> +Miss Jennings straightened up and looked at her a minute. +</p> +<p> +"He's one of the house detectives," she said slowly, "and you happen to +be a new girl. Don't bother about him, Faith. They are always watching +some one." +</p> +<p> +"Couldn't hold their jobs if they didn't," chimed in a clerk who had +overheard her. +</p> +<p> +"They have to arrest some one regularly about once in so often. I hope +some day they'll arrest the wrong person. It would cost old Denton a +pretty penny!" +</p> +<p> +Just then another clerk from the ribbon counter came up and joined them. +</p> +<p> +"Did you hear about that inspector coming here yesterday, girls? Well, +it didn't do any good, for old Forbes fooled her completely! She didn't +get a peep at this room or a sniff at these odors. He means to poison us +all to death with sewer gas before he's done with us, but perhaps it +will be just as pleasant a death as any other." +</p> +<p> +Faith Marvin looked up at the speaker with an expression of horror in +her eyes. +</p> +<p> +"Do you mean to say that this place is really unhealthy, and that the +firm refuses to comply with the law on such matters?" +</p> +<p> +"I mean to say that Denton, Day & Co. comply with no law whatever except +their own sweet will, and that is to overwork, underpay and bulldoze +their employees and then kick them out at a minute's notice." +</p> +<p> +The girl spoke the words with apparent indifference. Only a long-drawn +sigh at their conclusion showed the inmost feeling on the subject. +</p> +<p> +Faith sprang to her feet with flashing eyes. +</p> +<p> +"Then that accounts for the haggard faces of the girls whom I have seen +this morning! Oh, we must do something at once to alter these +conditions! Our employers are but men; they must have hearts in their +bosoms!" +</p> +<p> +"You don't know them, Faith." +</p> +<p> +It was Miss Jennings who spoke. She was trying her best to conquer +another fit of coughing. +</p> +<p> +"Our employers look upon us girls as so many machines, created for the +sole purpose of filling their coffers, and it is this God whom you +respect who allows them to abuse us! to grind us into the dust because +we are helpless!" +</p> +<p> +The ring of bitterness in her tones appalled all who heard her except +Faith, who threw her arms about her tenderly as she answered: +</p> +<p> +"No, no, Mary! Don't say that! You are mistaken, dear! God is watching +over us all with the tenderest love, and from this whirlwind of +injustice He will yet reap a harvest of good! I believe it! I know it, +and I shall live to see it!" +</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<a name="CH5"><!-- CH5 --></a> +<h2> + CHAPTER V. +</h2> + +<h3> +THE FIRST INSULT. +</h3> +<p> </p> +<p> +As the young girl gave utterance to these words of prophecy her +beautiful eyes were luminous with the fire of a noble purpose. She drew +her graceful form to its full height and her voice rang out like the +peal of a bell, carrying the message of hope to all that heard it. +</p> +<p> +Before any one could think of answering, two gentlemen suddenly appeared +in the doorway of the poorly lighted room. +</p> +<p> +When the saleswomen and cash girls saw them they almost stopped +breathing, for the two men were the two senior members of the firm, who, +for some reason or others, were going over the store together. +</p> +<p> +Both men stared at Faith in open amazement. It was plain that they had +overheard her words, and were surprised at such sentiments from the lips +of a greenhorn "packer." +</p> +<p> +Mr. Denton, a gray-haired man with a fairly benevolent face, seemed more +disturbed than his partner over the extraordinary utterance, but as +neither of them had heard what Miss Jennings had said, their surprise +passed quickly and they began talking together. +</p> +<p> +"This is the room that they complain of," said Mr. Day, with a +contemptuous gesture. "Those sneaking inspectors seem bent on making us +as much trouble and expense as possible." +</p> +<p> +Mr. Denton peered around the room, and even sniffed a little. +</p> +<p> +"I do not consider it exactly healthy down here," he said, slowly, "but +of course you know best, Mr. Day; you have charge of that department. I +should not dream of interfering. I know you will do your duty." +</p> +<p> +"Certainly, certainly," said Mr. Day, promptly. He was a short, stout +man, and exceedingly curt and pompous. +</p> +<p> +"I consider it quite healthy enough for our purpose, Mr. Denton; for +what do our salespeople know of modern sanitary improvements?" +</p> +<p> +"That is so," replied Mr. Denton, with a smile of satisfaction. "What do +they know, indeed? Why, they are nearly all of them from the garrets of +some tenement or other. They have never been accustomed to anything +better, nor perhaps half as comfortable." +</p> +<p> +They passed out of the room, leaving Faith almost speechless with +horror. +</p> +<p> +In her whole life she had never dreamed of such cowardly injustice. +</p> +<p> +"Now you know that I am right, Faith," Miss Jennings remarked, with a +harsh laugh. "Now you have seen for yourself what we have to expect from +our employers." +</p> +<p> +"They look on us as a lot of rats from some garret or other," added the +clerk who had spoken so bitterly before. "But, time's up; we must go +back and take in some more money for the darlings." +</p> +<p> +Faith stifled a sob as she took Miss Jennings' arm and started upstairs. +She was pained and disgusted, but by no means discouraged. +</p> +<p> +"There must be some way," she whispered to Miss Jennings. "It looks very +dark, I am willing to admit, but with God all things are possible. I +shall not give up. There must be some way of bringing the light into +this place. Just now it seems lost in a terrible darkness." +</p> +<p> +"If God had wished it to be different He would have changed it long +ago," muttered Miss Jennings. "But He doesn't care, Faith. Don't tell me +that He cares! Why, I am dying, dying, yet He cares nothing about it!" +</p> +<p> +She broke out into such a terrible fit of coughing that she had to stop +on the stairs. Faith kept her arm about her until the spell was over. +</p> +<p> +When they reached the floor they were two minutes late. +</p> +<p> +Miss Fairbanks met them and scolded them both severely. +</p> +<p> +Faith noticed that Miss Jennings did not offer to explain the delay. She +would have explained it herself if her companion had not stopped her in +a whisper. +</p> +<p> +"It's no use, Faith; she won't believe it, or, if she did, she'd say I +had no right to cough. Poor devil! She treats the people under her just +as Forbes treats her. They are a lot of slave drivers and slaves +together!" +</p> +<p> +Faith crawled up to her desk feeling sick at heart. She was overwhelmed +with the knowledge of evil which was being forced upon her. +</p> +<p> +During the afternoon she found time to write a few words on a bit of +paper and slip it into Miss Jennings' hand without the buyer seeing her. +</p> +<p> +"Dear Mary," she wrote, "don't give up in despair. I am sure that Mr. +Denton is a good man, only weak and indifferent. I shall pray to-night +that God will open his eyes—then to-morrow I shall try personally to +talk to him, for I believe that prayer and effort should always go +together. Who knows but that I may be able to brighten things a little? +It certainly is worth trying for—to bring the light into dark places." +</p> +<p> +Miss Jennings watched her chance and handed back her reply. +</p> +<p> +"It's no use, I tell you, Faith. His heart is like stone. You'll only +lose your place. Take my advice and don't do it." +</p> +<p> +Faith smiled at her brightly as she read the words. They were +characteristic of Miss Jennings, philosophic but bitter. +</p> +<p> +A few minutes later a dashing young man passed by the counter. The +clerks all seemed to know him, and several of the prettiest girls in the +department smiled at him openly in a way that Faith thought very +immodest. As he caught sight of the new packer he stopped abruptly and +stared at her. +</p> +<p> +"Who the deuce is that?" Faith heard him say to one of the saleswomen, a +girl whose cheeks were flaming with paint and whose appearance was that +of a very vulgar person. +</p> +<p> +"I'm sure I don't know, Mr. Denton," replied the girl, with a simper. +"She's a new packer that was taken on this morning. I haven't heard her +name, and I don't know as I want to." +</p> +<p> +"Oh, you're jealous of her, are you, Mag?" said the young man with a +laugh. "Well, I don't wonder, for she is a peach. I'm in love with her +this minute!" +</p> +<p> +"You're a flirt, all right, Mr. Denton," said the girl, with a pout. "I +think she's as awkward as anything, and her color is abominable." +</p> +<p> +"She's as fresh as a daisy," was the young man's answer. "Forbes had an +eye for beauty when he hired that lovely creature." +</p> +<p> +"You men have queer taste," snapped the saleswoman, angrily, but the +young man had passed on, staring at Faith all the way. Miss Fairbanks +greeted him with a bow that was positively servile. +</p> +<p> +"That's old Denton's son Jim," explained Miss Jennings to Faith as she +handed up a check. "He's a regular masher. Comes in here every few days, +just to flirt with the girls. They say he's very wild and costs his +father a lot of money." +</p> +<p> +"He is very bold," was Faith's whispered answer. "Why, he stared at me +as if I were a dummy instead of a lady." +</p> +<p> +"Oh, we are none of us ladies: we are only clerks," replied Miss +Jennings, bitterly. "If we were to snub Jim Denton he would make a lot +of trouble for us." +</p> +<p> +"Mercy!" cried Faith. "It doesn't seem possible! Why, there seems to be +pitfalls on every side for the girl who earns her own living." +</p> +<p> +Miss Fairbanks was coming, so the conversation was ended abruptly. +</p> +<p> +Miss Jennings went back to a customer who had just stopped at the +counter. +</p> +<p> +"Show me some yellow ribbon, right away, miss," she said, very sharply. +"I want to match this sample. Here, take a good look at it!" +</p> +<p> +Faith glanced down and saw that the customer was an ignorant-looking +woman. She had on tawdry clothing and a lot of cheap jewelry. +</p> +<p> +Miss Jennings took the sample and glanced at it sharply. +</p> +<p> +"Do you wish exactly the same shade and width?" she asked, very +politely. +</p> +<p> +"Of course! What did you suppose I brought the sample for if I don't?" +cried the woman. "You must be a dunce to ask such a question!" +</p> +<p> +Faith felt her cheeks grow hot at this arrogant insult, but Miss +Jennings replied as quietly as ever, "I cannot give you the same shade +nor the same width exactly, madam. This is the nearest I have." +</p> +<p> +She handed her a roll that was a little different from the sample. +</p> +<p> +"But you must have it! Look again!" commanded the woman, angrily. "You +are just trying to save yourself trouble, you lazy hussy!" +</p> +<p> +Miss Jennings turned very indifferently and called to another of the +saleswomen: +</p> +<p> +"Miss Jones, have we any number twelve lemon in reserve? Here's a +sample, and this lady is anxious to match it." +</p> +<p> +Miss Jones glanced at the sample that Miss Jennings was holding. +</p> +<p> +"You know very well that we are all out of that," she replied, sharply. +"How often have I told you not to bother me with such questions!" +</p> +<p> +Miss Jennings handed the sample to the customer without the slightest +trace of emotion. +</p> +<p> +"The 'head of stock' says we have none. I trust you will believe her, +madam." +</p> +<p> +The woman snatched her sample and hurried away, while Miss Jennings went +to another customer as calmly as though nothing had happened. +</p> +<p> +Faith drew a long breath. Her cheeks were fairly tingling. She glanced +about a little to see whether any one else had noticed the transaction. +</p> +<p> +The clerks were all moving about in their automatic way. It was plain +that such occurrences as this amounted to nothing. +</p> +<p> +Suddenly Faith's glance rested on a young man who was standing in the +aisle where he could watch her every movement. +</p> +<p> +As their eyes met he raised his hat and smiled at her brazenly. +</p> +<p> +Faith gasped for breath. Her insulter was young Denton. +</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<a name="CH6"><!-- CH6 --></a> +<h2> + CHAPTER VI. +</h2> + +<h3> +FAITH DISCOVERS A FRESH HORROR. +</h3> +<p> </p> +<p> +Faith dropped her eyes to her desk so that she would not see the fellow, +but she could still feel the insulting gaze that was bent upon her. +</p> +<p> +She was glad when a great crowd of shoppers came surging in at the big +doors, for the afternoons were always far busier than the mornings at +this establishment. +</p> +<p> +Faith soon began to wonder if the goods could possibly come up to be +wrapped very much faster. Her arms as well as her back were aching. The +clerks were screaming for cash girls every other minute, for besides the +packer above each counter there were a number of others at different +points throughout the store and all were as busy as bees through the +rush hours. +</p> +<p> +"There's no rest for the weary." +</p> +<p> +It was Miss Jennings who spoke. She was talking to a customer, a +fine-looking old lady. +</p> +<p> +"I expect there isn't, dear," said the lady, pleasantly. "And you do +look fagged out—I declare if you don't. I hope you get good pay for +standing all day behind this counter!" +</p> +<p> +Miss Jennings laughed in her harsh, dry way. +</p> +<p> +"I won't shock you by telling you what I get," she said wearily. "But if +all my customers were like you it would not matter so much. It's a +pleasure to wait upon you! I hope you'll come often." +</p> +<p> +"Dear, dear! Well, I'm sorry if they are not all kind to you," said the +lady. "It is hard to have to work, but there is some good reason for it. +It will all come right by and by; but tell me, child, what in the world +is the matter?" +</p> +<p> +There was a terrible racket on the floor overhead. As the lady asked the +question a perfect bedlam broke loose. +</p> +<p> +The next second the cry of "Fire!" was heard all over the building. +</p> +<p> +"Quick! Come behind the counter, madam!" cried Miss Jennings, trying to +draw the old lady through the gate. "There's a panic on the stairs! The +mob will sweep through here directly!" +</p> +<p> +In less than a minute her words came true. There was a fearful rush of +feet overhead, then with shrill shrieks of fright great crowds of women +and children swept down the stairway. These were swelled by a small army +of male and female clerks, until the whole lower floor was filled with a +mob of struggling, pushing, human beings. +</p> +<p> +Miss Jennings succeeded in dragging the kind old lady behind the +counter, then she began pulling away her goods as quickly as possible. +</p> +<p> +"Quick, girls! Get out while you can!" cried a frightened voice. "The +second floor is all on fire! The ceiling will fall in a minute!" +</p> +<p> +Faith glanced around to see who had spoken. She was surprised to see +that it was Miss Fairbanks, the buyer. In the hour of danger this coarse +woman had actually thought to warn her charges, but she vanished in a +second without waiting to see who followed. +</p> +<p> +"It will be folly to attempt to get out now," Faith cried distinctly. +"We would only be trampled to death! Wait a minute,—do, until the +aisles get clearer!" +</p> +<p> +"Remain at your posts and look after your goods!" cried a voice that +every one recognized as that of Mr. Gibson, the manager, "The fire +amounts to nothing. It was a false alarm! Don't one of you dare to leave +your counters!" +</p> +<p> +"Do you expect us to stay here and burn up?" cried a woman's voice. +"Well, I, for one, won't do it! Come on, Miss Jennings!" +</p> +<p> +"Not a step!" answered Miss Jennings in her shrill, weak voice. "You are +a fool to trust your life in that howling mob, Kate! Wait a minute; +we'll get out all right if we keep our wits about us." +</p> +<p> +"That's right," called Faith, standing erect at her desk. "Keep cool, +girls; we are perfectly safe as long as we keep behind the counters." +</p> +<p> +"You are a nervy one, miss," said a voice at her ear. +</p> +<p> +Faith turned and saw that young Denton was standing close behind her. +</p> +<p> +"It is the only thing to do," she said with perfect composure. "Those +people are all crazy. See how they trample on each other!" +</p> +<p> +She was gazing over the store in a perfectly natural way. There was not +a trace of fear or excitement upon her features. +</p> +<p> +"The floor managers are getting them under control, I think," said the +young man, who, like Faith, was as cool and composed as possible. "There +they go—the very last of them—and the floor is deserted. Ten to one +there's no fire at all. I'll go up and investigate." +</p> +<p> +He sprang off the counter and bounded up the stairs. Faith could not +help noticing that he was really a very manly fellow. She began to think +that she had been mistaken regarding his insulting actions. +</p> +<p> +"There is no fire, I tell you!" called Mr. Gibson again. "It was only a +puff of smoke on the second floor! Will people never learn to keep their +heads at such times, I wonder!" +</p> +<p> +The most of the clerks were still behind the counters, and as the +manager made this remark one of the oldest men in the store raised his +head and answered him. +</p> +<p> +"Our customers probably know our facilities for fighting a fire," he +said sneeringly. "The place is a regular death-trap. No wonder they ran +from it!" +</p> +<p> +"Keep your news to yourself, Block, if you please!" said Mr. Gibson +quickly. +</p> +<p> +Some one called him at that instant or his reprimand would probably have +been sharper. +</p> +<p> +Faith had heard both remarks, and so had the old lady, who was still +standing beside Miss Jennings behind the ribbon counter. +</p> +<p> +"Is that true? Is the store such a fire-trap?" asked the old lady +quickly. "Dear, dear, what a place to cage a lot of human beings!" +</p> +<p> +"The fire department has ordered the boss to put in more apparatus a +dozen times that I know of," answered Miss Jennings, promptly, "but the +building is insured and so is the stock. What do they care about us! We +must take our chances!" +</p> +<p> +"Well, I guess the danger is over now, so I'll go," said the lady. +"Thank you, my dear, for your kindness. I wish I could do something to +help you." +</p> +<p> +"You have helped me with your sympathy," said Miss Jennings, quickly. +</p> +<p> +"You shall see me again," was the old lady's reply. "As a Christian +woman, I must look into this matter." +</p> +<p> +She went away after shaking hands with Miss Jennings and smiling up at +Faith in a friendly manner. +</p> +<p> +The clerks who had rushed down from the second floor at the alarm of +fire were coming back slowly with a shamed look on their faces. +</p> +<p> +They trooped back up the stairs to their different departments just as a +big sign was posted before the main entrance, stating that there was no +fire in the building. +</p> +<p> +It was an exciting half hour, but through it all Faith stood erect, +ready and calmly waiting for anything that might happen. In the very +midst of the commotion her quick eyes detected a fresh horror. She saw a +clerk at a neighboring counter grab a handsome piece of jewelry and +secrete it in her pocket with the rapidity of lightning. +</p> +<p> +When order was at last restored Faith was in a most distressed frame of +mind. She was dreading through sheer pity what she knew to be her duty. +</p> +<p> +"All over, Faith, and no lives lost," called Miss Jennings softly. +</p> +<p> +She was as absolutely colorless and apathetic as ever. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, Mary," whispered Faith, "there's something I must tell you." +</p> +<p> +She bent down from her desk after looking about sharply for the buyer. +</p> +<p> +"Don't mind about Fairbanks, she has bolted!" said Miss Jennings with a +laugh. "You can trust the heads of departments to save their own bacon!" +</p> +<p> +"But, she thought of us, too; you heard her, Mary," said Faith. "Poor +thing, she may be irritable, but she isn't bad-hearted." +</p> +<p> +"I ain't so sure about that—but what is it, Faith? There will be no +customers for some time, probably, so you have a right to talk to me." +</p> +<p> +Faith leaned a little lower so she could whisper in her ear. +</p> +<p> +"I just saw one of the clerks steal something," she said, "It was during +the excitement. She has it in her pocket." +</p> +<p> +"Oh, that's nothing!" +</p> +<p> +Miss Jennings spoke as indifferently as ever. +</p> +<p> +"Why, what do you mean?" Faith gasped in astonishment. "You surely do +not mean that you approve of stealing!" +</p> +<p> +"Approve of it, no!" answered Miss Jennings slowly. "But it doesn't +concern you or me, either, Faith. The girl was probably desperate. I do +not blame her!" +</p> +<p> +"Oh, Mary!" +</p> +<p> +Faith's words were redolent of bitter anguish. For the first time since +they met she drew a little away from her. +</p> +<p> +"You don't understand, Faith," said the other quickly. She had noticed +the movement, and her tone showed that she was pained by it. +</p> +<p> +"I'm afraid I don't." +</p> +<p> +Faith said the words coldly. "I certainly don't understand dishonesty in +the very least. I may be wrong, but I cannot excuse it. It is my duty to +report that girl, and I shall certainly do it." +</p> +<p> +"You shall not!" +</p> +<p> +Miss Jennings had lost her apathy and indifference for once. She was +locking Faith steadily in the eye, her own fairly burning with anger. +</p> +<p> +"See here, Faith," she went on, "you have a whole lot to learn, and I +guess I am just as well qualified to teach you as any one. What you +don't know about dishonesty would fill a whole library of books. Promise +me that you will say nothing about that matter until to-morrow, at +least. Promise, Faith. It will do no harm. If you are a Christian you +must have charity." +</p> +<p> +Faith gazed at her earnestly for the space of a second. There was +something besides anger in her new friend's eagerness. +</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<a name="CH7"><!-- CH7 --></a> +<h2> + CHAPTER VII. +</h2> + +<h3> +FRESH GLIMPSES OF EVIL. +</h3> +<p> </p> +<p> +"I promise," said Faith, after another moment's hesitation. "I will hear +what you have to say on the subject, Mary, but I am sure I shall still +think it right to report that theft to-morrow." +</p> +<p> +Miss Jennings turned away with a relieved expression. The woman she had +called "Kate" was just coming back behind the counter. +</p> +<p> +"I've lost my job through my stupidity," she said sullenly. "Gibson says +I am discharged for being impudent to him." +</p> +<p> +"I'm sorry, but you might have known," replied Miss Jennings shortly. +"Still, you haven't lost much; perhaps you'll get something better." +</p> +<p> +"Well, I hope so, but there's not much chance at this season," said the +woman. "Six dollars a week was better than nothing. It's more than I can +make by taking in washing." +</p> +<p> +"Oh, you surely won't have to do that!" cried Faith involuntarily. She +had been listening to their conversation without realizing it. +</p> +<p> +The woman glanced up at her and gave a sharp laugh. +</p> +<p> +"That, or worse," she said coarsely. "I can't starve to death, can I?" +</p> +<p> +There was no mistaking what she meant. Her words sent a thrill of horror +through every fibre of Faith's body. +</p> +<p> +"She surely did not mean that," she whispered to Miss Jennings as soon +as the saleswoman had gone. +</p> +<p> +"Why not?" asked Miss Jennings in her bitterest manner. +</p> +<p> +For the second time that day Faith drew back with swift motion, but this +time her companion did not appear to notice it. +</p> +<p> +"She's got a sick husband and three children," she said sharply; "and +it's no fault of hers that she can't earn an honest living. I tell you, +Faith, that you have lots to learn. I'm sorry you must learn it all in a +lump, of course, but the sooner it is learned the sooner you'll get used +to it." +</p> +<p> +She breathed a deep sigh as she turned away. For a moment her real +feeling showed above her indifference. +</p> +<p> +"Get used to it—never!" cried Faith, almost hysterically. "And you are +not used to it, either, Mary; it is killing you this minute!" +</p> +<p> +"Perhaps you are right," said Miss Jennings, slowly, then as the +customers were gradually drifting back into the store she went forward +to wait upon them with her usual indifference. +</p> +<p> +For the next half hour Faith was very busy. The excitement had passed, +leaving no trace behind it. +</p> +<p> +At exactly six o'clock a big gong was sounded. Faith was so tired and +nervous that she almost cried for joy when she heard it. +</p> +<p> +"It has been the hardest day of my life," she said to Miss Jennings as +they reached the cloak-room. +</p> +<p> +"Well, you'll have many such if you stay here long," was the reply. +"There are nothing but hard days for the slaves of Denton, Day & Co." +</p> +<p> +There was a crowd of women and girls waiting at the lavatory basins, and +as Faith caught sight of the towels she turned away with a shudder. +</p> +<p> +"You'll have to go home with dirty hands, Faith, but you musn't mind +that; we wouldn't get out of here until midnight if we waited our turn +at those basins." +</p> +<p> +Miss Jennings was putting on her hat as she spoke, and as Faith started +to look for hers the clerk whom young Denton had called "Mag" came +slowly up to them. +</p> +<p> +"Heard the news, eighty-nine?" +</p> +<p> +She asked Miss Jennings the question, but she was looking straight at +Faith. There was a gleam in her eye that was very unpleasant. +</p> +<p> +"What news, Maggie?" asked Miss Jennings, noticing the look at once. She +knew the girl's disposition, and almost dreaded what was coming. +</p> +<p> +"Old Forbes was robbed of five hundred dollars! Some one stole it from +his desk early yesterday morning. There's pretty good proof already as +to who was the thief. I wouldn't stand in her shoes for double the +money!" +</p> +<p> +She was still watching Faith with her eyes half closed. Miss Jennings +was too shrewd to be deceived a minute as to her actual meaning. +</p> +<p> +"Well, you'll save yourself trouble by keeping your mouth shut," she +said, crossly, "it dont pay to meddle with such matters as that, Maggie, +especially if you happen to be living under a cloud yourself. Somebody +might take a notion to turn the tables on you, you know. I'd as as soon +be a thief as some other things I might mention." +</p> +<p> +There was a sneer in her tones that was unmistakable. Faith turned just +in time to catch its full meaning. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, you needn't preach!" cried the other angrily. "Any one can see +you're fairly green with envy, eighty-nine! You'd give a whole lot to be +able to flirt with the boys, but, as Jim Denton says, you are too pale +and skinny!" +</p> +<p> +"For shame!" +</p> +<p> +It was Faith who spoke the words. She was facing the brazen-faced girl +with her eyes blazing angrily. +</p> +<p> +"How dare you speak like that to a poor, sick girl? Have you no heart in +your bosom, no decency or conscience! It does not seem possible to me +that girls can be so hateful toward each other. Are we not all sisters, +who have been commanded to love one another?" +</p> +<p> +There was silence for just a second as Faith finished speaking, then a +loud, coarse laugh broke from Maggie Brady's lips. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, Lord! Hear her, girls! Hear the little preacher in petticoats! +Isn't she eloquent, the pretty thing! Why, she ought to be a corporal in +the Salvation Army!" +</p> +<p> +There was a roar of laughter at the rude girl's words, during which Miss +Jennings caught Faith by the arm and half dragged her from the +cloak-room. +</p> +<p> +"Come, Faith, let us go! This is no place for you. That girl is the most +brazen hussy in the whole establishment, and that's saying a good deal, +as you'll find out later!" +</p> +<p> +They hurried out into the street as quickly as possible. Faith was +almost crying with indignation when they reached the sidewalk. +</p> +<p> +"Now, brace up, dear; it's all over for to-day," said Miss Jennings. +"You'll soon get used to it; that's exactly what every one of us have +had to go through with, but the girls are not all like Mag; there are +lots of nice ones. She wasn't so bad, either, until Jim Denton noticed +her." +</p> +<p> +"Is he her sweetheart?" asked Faith as soon as she could control her +voice. "I heard them talking together and I am sure she loves him." +</p> +<p> +Miss Jennings gave vent to one of her harshest laughs. +</p> +<p> +"Jim Denton is a wicked young man," she said very slowly. "He cares no +more for Maggie than he does for lots of the others, but she's such a +fool she can't see it, and that shows, of course, that she's pretty +badly gone on him." +</p> +<p> +"You mean that she loves him?" questioned Faith, who was not very +familiar with shop-girl slang. +</p> +<p> +"Well, you can't call it love, exactly," explained Miss Jennings, "but +it's the best she's got. She thinks she loves him." +</p> +<p> +The girls had walked a couple of blocks and were waiting for a car. They +were glad to find that they lived near each other. The same street car +would land them a short distance from their homes, which were modest +flats in the cheapest portion of Harlem. +</p> +<p> +As they hailed the car, Faith's quick eye caught a glimpse of a man who +seemed to be following them. +</p> +<p> +As he sprang on the rear platform of the car she called her companion's +attention to him. +</p> +<p> +"It's Bob Hardy, one of our detectives," said Miss Jennings, +wonderingly. "Why, he lives in Jersey. He must be following somebody." +</p> +<p> +Faith looked at her a moment before she spoke again. +</p> +<p> +"I wonder if there is any truth in what that girl said about the robbery +in the office. I've been thinking of it ever since. She looked at me so +funny! And see, Mary, that detective is watching me, too, he has hardly +taken his eyes off me since we entered the car. It can't be possible +that they think I took the money, can it? You know I was in the office +early yesterday morning." +</p> +<p> +She spoke so timidly that Miss Jennings gave her a sharp glance. Then +she turned involuntarily and looked at the detective. +</p> +<p> +"God help you if Hardy is after you," she whispered with a shudder. +"That fellow is a fiend about making arrests. He'd accuse his own mother +of stealing, I believe, if he thought he could win the regard of old +Forbes by doing it!" +</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<a name="CH8"><!-- CH8 --></a> +<h2> + CHAPTER VIII. +</h2> + +<h3> +A FIENDISH PROPOSITION. +</h3> +<p> </p> +<p> +When Faith left the car Bob Hardy followed her. He made no attempt to +conceal the fact that he was watching her, and when Faith had reached +the middle of a block of vacant lots he quickened his steps and was soon +beside her. +</p> +<p> +"Just a minute, miss," he said, tapping her lightly on the shoulder. +</p> +<p> +Faith wheeled around and confronted him with cold dignity. +</p> +<p> +"Well, what do you wish with me, sir?" she asked quietly. "I noticed +that you were following me. Have you had orders to do so?" +</p> +<p> +"Not exactly, miss," said the detective, a little disconcertedly, "but +you are in a pretty bad fix over that money affair, and I just thought +I'd put you on your guard as a sort of favor." +</p> +<p> +"What?" +</p> +<p> +Faith's voice fairly vibrated with indignation. "Explain yourself, sir. +I do not understand you?" +</p> +<p> +"Oh, if you insist," said the detective with a disagreeable leer, "I +won't be so unkind as to disappoint a lady." +</p> +<p> +He stepped a little to one side as he spoke, and his eyes wandered +scrutinizingly over Faith's lovely face and figure. +</p> +<p> +"You see," he continued, "you are badly tangled up in that affair at the +office; in fact, to be plain, Mr. Forbes thinks that you stole the five +hundred dollars, and it will go hard with you when he gets back to biz; +that's why I wanted to warn you." +</p> +<p> +"Indeed!" +</p> +<p> +Faith's head towered above the detective's as she spoke. +</p> +<p> +"You are very kind, Mr. Detective; but, as I have stolen no money, nor +anything else, I have no fear of Mr. Forbes, or any need of your most +extraordinary warning. You will please allow me to pass and not follow +me any farther. It is no sign because I am working in a store that I am +not a lady and entitled to courtesy." +</p> +<p> +She started to pass him, but with a stride the fellow was before her. +</p> +<p> +"Not so fast, my fine lady," he cried with a sneer. "You don't know me, +I guess. I don't let thieves escape me so easily." +</p> +<p> +"How dare you?" cried Faith, her face flaming with anger. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, I dare anything," retorted the detective, "especially where my +reputation is at stake! I've got orders from Forbes to catch that thief, +and, as you are the easiest bird to catch, I'm just going to bag +you—that's all there is about it. I'll swear that I found this wad of +bills in your pocket, see!" +</p> +<p> +He drew a roll of money from his pocket and flourished it before her as +he spoke. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, you would never be so wicked, so dastardly, as that!" cried Faith. +"Have you no sense of honor, no manliness about you?" +</p> +<p> +Her words were so appealing that the detective winced a little. His keen +eyes shifted uneasily. He could not face her. +</p> +<p> +"I offered to warn you," he muttered at last. "There's a way out of the +fix if you are a mind to take it." +</p> +<p> +"But I am in no fix!" protested Faith. "I have done no wrong! How dare +you accuse me!" +</p> +<p> +The detective went on as though she had not spoken. +</p> +<p> +"There's a way out of it, miss; you have only to say the word. I know a +gent that's in love with you this very minute. He'll fix things with old +Forbes—he's got lots of dough. Just you promise to be agreeable and +I'll hush the whole thing up to-morrow." +</p> +<p> +As he made this fiendish suggestion he eyed the girl sharply. +</p> +<p> +Each change in her expression seemed to render her more beautiful. For a +moment she was dazed and almost powerless to speak, then, as a great +wave of color swept up to her very brow, she fairly hissed her answer +in a scorching whisper. +</p> +<p> +"You coward! You cur! Go at once and leave me! Make what accusations you +like—I am afraid of you no longer! In God will I place my trust, and He +will not forsake me! Go, I say, and think well over what you are doing. +Remember that there is One above you who is watching your evil deeds and +as surely as He will punish the wicked so will He protect the innocent!" +</p> +<p> +As she spoke the last words she walked hastily away. +</p> +<p> +Bob Hardy stared after her stupidly, but did not attempt to follow her. +</p> +<p> +"Well, what did she say?" asked a voice at his elbow. +</p> +<p> +A well-dressed man of middle age had walked slowly across the street and +stood waiting impatiently for Hardy's answer. +</p> +<p> +The detective drew a long breath and shrugged his shoulders a little. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, she's a high flyer," he answered, cautiously. "It will take time to +clip her wings and tame her, captain, but don't you worry a bit. I'll +earn your fifty dollars." +</p> +<p> +"As you have earned several other fifties," said the "captain," smiling. +"Oh, well, you are in the right place for just such work. It's dead easy +for you, Hardy. Why, those girls would all of them jump at the chance of +getting out from behind those counters, but the deuce of it is that it's +only the new ones who are pretty." +</p> +<p> +"Well, you've picked out the prettiest now, all right," laughed Hardy. +"But I expect I shall have to scare her a little. She's not only proud +as Lucifer, but she's chock full of religion. Says God will protect her +and all that sort of thing." +</p> +<p> +The well-dressed "captain" threw back his head and roared. +</p> +<p> +"God will trouble Himself a lot about her, I'm thinking," he said, +chuckling. "He is so given to looking after those half-starved +creatures! Why, the Devil is the shop girls' best friend, if they only +knew it." +</p> +<p> +"He stands by us pretty well, too, eh! captain?" said Hardy. "But I must +be getting home, as I live way over in Jersey. I'll report to-morrow +night at your place downtown. She'll be less religious by that time if +she sees that God has gone back on her, I guess." +</p> +<p> +"You mean that you will press the charge against her and have them send +her to jail? That's going pretty far, Hardy; but I'll leave it to your +judgment." +</p> +<p> +"Oh, pshaw! She'll be tractable before it comes to that pass, captain. +I've seen girls before. I know how to handle 'em." +</p> +<p> +The two men parted, Hardy going to his home in Jersey, while the man +whom he had called "captain" went in the direction of Fifth avenue. +</p> +<p> +When he arrived at his magnificent bachelor apartments he let himself in +with a latch-key. His colored valet was busy in one of the rooms packing +his master's clothing into two traveling bags. +</p> +<p> +"Well, Dave," said the captain, gayly, "we will have a fine trip South, +I fancy; but don't hurry with that packing. Let it go for a day. I've +decided not to start as soon as I intended." +</p> +<p> +"All right, sah; I'll drop it right quick, sah," said the negro. "Yere's +a letter, sah, dat was brung 'bout an hour ago. I dun tole de boy dat +you would anser it at your leesyur, sah." +</p> +<p> +Captain Paul Deering laughed at his servant's language. Dave always used +big words and the most extravagant manners when he came in contact with +other people's servants. +</p> +<p> +"By Jove!" exclaimed the captain, as he opened the letter. "It's from my +lawyer, Dave, telling me that my sister has been found. She is living +here in the city, and is a widow with one daughter." +</p> +<p> +"Yo' doan' say so, sah!" +</p> +<p> +Dave was standing with his mouth wide open to indicate his interest in +the news. He had been with the captain so long that he was very deep in +his confidences. +</p> +<p> +"Yes, she's here in town, and has been for years, and to think I've been +here, too, and didn't know it! You see, Dave, I ran away from home when +she was only a young girl. When the home was broken up I lost track of +her completely. Now there's a snug little fortune waiting for her that +she should have had five years ago, but perhaps it's just as well it's +been accumulating interest all the time." +</p> +<p> +"An' yourn has bin a losin' interes'," replied the negro, grinning. "I +neber see money slip troo' a man's fingers so fas' as it do troo' yourn, +capting, dat's a fac'." +</p> +<p> +"Oh, I get the worth of it as I go along, Dave," laughed the captain, +"but I suppose I've got to go out again now and call on my new-found +sister." +</p> +<p> +He glanced at the address which the lawyer had given him. +</p> +<p> +"Pshaw! That's too bad," he said, impatiently. "If I had only known this +two hours sooner! Why, I've just come from that very locality, and it's +way up in Harlem." +</p> +<p> +As he reached for his hat there was a sharp ring at his door-bell. +</p> +<p> +"Dat's Dr. Graham, sah; I knows dat ring ob his," said the valet +quickly. "Dat mean, sah, you doan' call on no sister dis ebenin'." +</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<a name="CH9"><!-- CH9 --></a> +<h2> + CHAPTER IX. +</h2> + +<h3> +THE PLEA OF MISS JENNINGS. +</h3> +<p> </p> +<p> +When Faith Marvin entered her mother's four-room flat on the top floor +of a dingy brick building she was almost out of breath from indignation +and rapid walking. +</p> +<p> +She tried to calm herself a little before her mother saw her, for Mrs. +Marvin was on the verge of nervous prostration. +</p> +<p> +When Faith looked into the little parlor she saw what she dreaded most, +her mother lying on the sofa suffering from a terrible headache. +</p> +<p> +"I must say absolutely nothing," whispered Faith to herself; "but what +if that fellow should follow me home! Oh, it would be terrible! +Terrible! I am sure it would kill her!" +</p> +<p> +She washed her face and hands and smoothed her hair, then went quietly +into the parlor and kissed her mother. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, Faith," cried the sick woman, sharply. +</p> +<p> +"How did you get along, dear? Were they kind to you in that dreadful +store, or will they kill my daughter, as they did my husband?" +</p> +<p> +"Hush, mother; don't say anything like that, there's a dear," said Faith +quickly. "Don't let your mind dwell so steadily on unpleasant things, +and just as soon as your head is better I'll tell you all about it." +</p> +<p> +"Tell me now, Faith, I insist," cried her mother, irritably. "I must +know the truth at once. Just think, dear, I have lain here all day +worrying about you, my child! It has been the hardest day of your life! +I feel it and I can see it." +</p> +<p> +She was gazing at Faith with a keen, penetrating glance. It would have +been cruel to have kept her in ignorance any longer. +</p> +<p> +"Well, then, lie down, dear, and I'll begin at the beginning," said +Faith gently, "and you must promise not to ask questions until I have +finished." +</p> +<p> +She laid her mother back on the sofa and began her tale, but she took +care to touch upon some things very lightly and leave others out of her +narration altogether. +</p> +<p> +When she had finished her mother still lay silent for a few minutes, +then she suddenly sat up straight and stared at her daughter. +</p> +<p> +"It is a thousand times worse than I thought," she said slowly. +"Although your father told me a great deal about the evils that exist in +business places. Why, those men are criminals and nothing less! They are +destroying women's souls as well as starving their bodies, and all to +swell their own bank accounts and ride in carriages. Oh, it is shameful! +And to think that nothing can be done to stop it." +</p> +<p> +"But something must be done! Something shall be done!" cried Faith +stoutly. "There is one power alone that can conquer all evil. We must +invoke that power upon this dreadful curse, and God has promised that +the prayer of faith shall not go unanswered." +</p> +<p> +"Oh, child, can you not see how foolish all that is?" asked her mother +irritably. "As if prayer was needed for what God can see for Himself! If +He wished things different He could easily change them. I have no faith +in His goodness, His love or His mercy." +</p> +<p> +The tears sprang to Faith's eyes, but the words did not surprise her. +She laid them to the weakness of her mother's physical condition. +</p> +<p> +"Some day you will see it differently, dear little mother," she said, +sweetly. "You are still resentful for the injury which you have +suffered. When that spirit has been conquered your faith will return. +'All things work together for good to them that love Him.'" +</p> +<p> +"Do you mean that your dear father's death was intended for my good?" +her mother almost screamed. "Do you see mercy, child, in such cruel +injustice, injustice that allows the rich to prosper in their evil ways +and puts the knife of poverty to the throat of the deserving? No! a +thousand times no! I will not believe it! Your father was an honest man +doing a legitimate business. Those sharks opened their store and put in +a book department. They undercut his figures even when it was a loss to +do so, knowing that in the end they would ruin him and drive him out of +their path forever! What followed? You know only too well, my poor, +fatherless daughter. In a fit of despondency he killed himself; the man +who had done no wrong—except to lose his courage, and they, Denton, Day +& Co., have accumulated millions. They have his blood on their hands as +they have the blood of many others!" +</p> +<p> +The poor woman was rocking herself back and forth as she talked, while +Faith could only bury her head in the sofa pillows and pray silently for +wisdom. +</p> +<p> +She knew that the frenzy would wear away soon. Her mother's strength +could not stand the strain of such agony many minutes. +</p> +<p> +"I can understand that girl stealing the jewelry, Faith," she went on +more calmly, "It was a terrible thing to do, but she doubtless justified +herself in doing it. And the woman who is going from bad is worse—oh, +she has my sympathy, poor wretch! She is hopeless, discouraged; she does +not know what she is doing." +</p> +<p> +Faith got up silently and went out into the kitchen. In a few moments +she came back with a cup of tea for her mother. +</p> +<p> +In a second her action had reaped its results. The mother instinct +asserted itself. Mrs Marvin suddenly remembered that Faith had had no +supper. +</p> +<p> +"I am to have a visitor soon, mother," said Faith with a smile, while +her mother was getting the supper, "Miss Jennings is coming in later. +She lives only two blocks from the corner." +</p> +<p> +"She is a consumptive, I think you said. I shall be glad to see her," +said Mrs. Marvin, "and I'll try, Faith, to calm my nerves, and not force +my bitterness on another." +</p> +<p> +Faith smiled very sadly at her mother's words. +</p> +<p> +"Miss Jennings is far more bitter than you can ever be, mother dear," +she said slowly. "She is almost callous, while you are still smarting +with anguish." +</p> +<p> +For the next half-hour Faith busied herself with their frugal supper. +Before the meal was over she was pleased to see that her mother was +becoming more composed and natural. When Miss Jennings came in both +ladies greeted her warmly. There was a hectic glow in her cheeks, and +she coughed almost constantly. +</p> +<p> +Mrs. Marvin left the two girls together at an early hour. She had kept +her promise and been remarkably cheerful. +</p> +<p> +"Now, Faith, to business," said Miss Jennings, as soon as they were +alone. "I want to tell you why you must not report that clerk's theft +to-morrow." +</p> +<p> +Faith drew her chair a little nearer and prepared to listen. She was +beginning to understand her friend's character a little better. +</p> +<p> +"In the first place," began Miss Jennings, "we will consider the girl. I +know her well. You need not describe her. What I know about her is this: +She is the daughter of a criminal. Her father was a pickpocket, he died +in prison. Now I ask you, Faith, what can you expect from this girl? +According to your Bible are not 'the iniquities' of the fathers visited +upon the children, and are the innocents to blame for their undesirable +inheritance? Furthermore, that girl's mother was what we call an +outcast. Can you reasonably look for morality of any sort in the +offspring of such an infamous union? You do not answer, because you +cannot! I defy any of your Christians to straighten out this matter. The +viciousness of most children is their only endowment, unless we add the +poverty, the diseases and the hopelessness that go with it. Now to +consider her environments and her temptations in that store. She is +working for thieves, why should she not steal? She is working for +successful people, why should she not take example of their methods. +These things seem harsh and hard to you, Faith, but they are actual +facts, just as you will surely see them. If you report that girl what +will be the result? Listen, here it is, the outcome in a nutshell. You +will be reporting to robbers that they are being robbed, not of their +lives, their liberties and their honors, as they rob us, but of a paltry +piece of jewelry, which they have bought out of their enormous profits. +You will, no doubt, lose for the girl a position which has the semblance +of respectability, and like poor Kate Travers, she will go from bad to +worse, only, unlike Kate, she will have no pure motive. Then, lastly, to +consider your own position in the matter, from that standpoint which you +choose to call your Christian duty—" +</p> +<p> +She stopped to cough, and Faith broke in upon her. +</p> +<p> +"I know what you would say. You think by reporting her crime I will only +be driving her to more vicious depths, whereas, by protecting her from +the punishment she deserves I may be able to influence her toward a +better life. Oh, Mary, I thank you! You have shown me my error. Say no +more to me to-night about censuring any one for their wrongdoing! It +grows more wonderful every moment that the girls are as good as they +are. God help them, they are innocent! It is all the fault of +conditions! If we could only strike at the root of it all, Mary." +</p> +<p> +"We would have to go back many years and generations, I'm afraid," +whispered Miss Jennings. "But at present we need go no further than the +heads of that firm—for Denton, Day & Forbes are the roots in this case, +from which emanate the evils which are destroying us soul and body." +</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<a name="CH10"><!-- CH10 --></a> +<h2> + CHAPTER X. +</h2> + +<h3> +A STARTLING SUGGESTION. +</h3> +<p> </p> +<p> +The gossip in the cloak-room was at its height the next morning when +Faith entered promptly at half-past seven. She looked around for Miss +Jennings, but did not see her. The next moment her attention was +attracted by a short conversation between two of the saleswomen. +</p> +<p> +"Well, Jack Forbes is dead at last, poor fellow," said one of them, "and +they say that his father is all broke up over it. Jack was his ideal +always. It's sure to go hard with him." +</p> +<p> +"He deserves his trouble if ever any one did," was the indifferent +answer. "He's made life miserable for lots of young men who were just as +worthy as Jack ever was and just as much beloved by their mothers and +fathers." +</p> +<p> +"Well, he's being punished now all right. They say he looks like a +ghost. Wonder if he'll have the good taste to close the store! Or will +he keep open that day to make funeral expenses?" +</p> +<p> +There was a shout of laughter after this remark, and Faith was surprised +to see how many of the girls joined in it. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, here you are," said a voice at her side. +</p> +<p> +She turned and was delighted to see Miss Jennings. +</p> +<p> +"How pale you look, Mary! Did you tire yourself too much last night?" +she asked quickly. "Really dear, you should have stayed at home. You are +sick abed this very minute!" +</p> +<p> +"That would mean a dollar, my dear Faith," said Miss Jennings sharply. +"I've lost three already this month so far and as I'm liable to need a +coffin soon I must keep at work and earn it!" +</p> +<p> +"Don't, Mary!" cried Faith, in genuine distress. "Don't joke about such +things, dear. I can't bear to hear you." +</p> +<p> +"As well laugh as cry," said Miss Jennings shortly; "but I hear that +Jack Forbes is dead. I'm in hopes the firm will show proper decency by +giving us a holiday." +</p> +<p> +"Oh, they'll do that all right, if it is only for the looks of the +thing," cried one of the girls who had overheard her. "You can trust +them to keep up appearances before the public, even if they dock us a +day's pay in order to square it." +</p> +<p> +"They would never do that!" cried Faith in dismay. +</p> +<p> +"They'd do it if they dared," was the answer; "they are not above it." +</p> +<p> +"There is Mr. Gibson now," whispered another girl as the form of the +manager appeared in the doorway. +</p> +<p> +"The store will be closed to-morrow," he said, shortly, "so you girls +want to be smart and make all the sales you can to-day. Remember that +you are expected to do your best in such emergencies." +</p> +<p> +As he went away the clerks all looked at each other. +</p> +<p> +"That sounded just like Forbes himself," giggled one of the girls. "I'll +bet ten dollars he sent down that message." +</p> +<p> +"Well, we all get a day off anyway," said another, "and for my part I'm +glad to laugh once while Old Forbes is crying. The shoe is on the other +foot generally and we girls do the weeping." +</p> +<p> +"I wonder if that detective will annoy me to-day," whispered Faith to +her friend. She had already told her of the proposition which Hardy had +made to her. +</p> +<p> +"I wonder who the fellow is who has got his eye on you," said Miss +Jennings, soberly. "It's the same old story. They think because we are +poor that we are to be bought and sold like puppets. You'd be surprised, +Faith, to know how men look upon us girls, but never mind about it, +dear; Hardy can't do anything until the superintendent comes back, and +by that time Mr. Watkins may have found the money." +</p> +<p> +"Who is Mr. Watkins?" asked Faith, who had quite forgotten the young +man. +</p> +<p> +"He's the superintendent's lackey, but they call him an assistant," said +Miss Jennings, with a slight blush. "He's a remarkably fine young man +who would be honest if he could, but, poor soul, he's like the rest of +us—tied hand and foot! If he expresses an honest opinion, out he goes +into the street, and that means that not only himself but his mother +would starve." +</p> +<p> +"I remember him now," said Faith; "he was in the superintendent's office +when I applied for my position. I liked his looks; he seemed refined and +honest. I wish I could help him, but—Oh, Mary, what's the matter?" +</p> +<p> +Miss Jennings had suddenly put her handkerchief to her lips. When she +took it down there were blood stains upon it. +</p> +<p> +"Nothing, dear," she said as soon as she could speak, "only the last end +of a hemorrhage that I had this morning." +</p> +<p> +"But do you have to work to-day? Is it really necessary?" urged Faith. +</p> +<p> +Miss Jennings turned to her quickly and opened her pocket-book. There +were seventeen cents and a small photograph in the purse. Faith had just +time to recognize the picture as that of Mr. Watkins when Miss Jennings +closed the book with a flush of annoyance. +</p> +<p> +"That's all I've got to last out the week, Faith," she said between her +coughs, "and I have a crippled brother at home, a last legacy from my +parents." +</p> +<p> +She hurried up the stairs, with Faith close behind her. In five minutes +the work of the day had begun; goods were being taken deftly from the +shelves and displayed upon the counters. +</p> +<p> +Miss Fairbanks was on hand and as cross as ever. She went around like a +virago and scolded nearly every one in her department. +</p> +<p> +When Maggie Brady came in she looked weary and jaded, and the paint on +her face made her more conspicuous than ever. +</p> +<p> +During a lull in the business Faith heard her speaking to Miss Fairbanks +in a tone that showed plainly that she was very confidential with the +buyer. +</p> +<p> +"Jim Denton took me to the theatre last night and we had an elegant +supper after. It cost him a pile, I tell you, for I just laid myself out +to be expensive. It's the only way I have of getting square with the +firm. What the old man makes his son blows in; that's right, ain't it, +Fairbanks?" she winked at the woman as she finished. +</p> +<p> +"Sure," replied Miss Fairbanks in a lower tone; "but look out for him, +Mag, there's a new star in the heavens. I wouldn't trust Jim Denton +around the corner, and you wouldn't either if you were wiser." +</p> +<p> +"Oh, I'm not afraid of that, if that's what you mean," said the girl. +She nodded her head in Faith's direction, but did not deign to look at +her. +</p> +<p> +"She's a beauty all right," was the buyer's reply, "and she doesn't have +to improve on nature a little bit, eh, Maggie?" +</p> +<p> +"She won't keep that color long in this store," sneered Miss Brady. +"She'll fade like all the rest of us, and it won't take long either." +</p> +<p> +"Miss Fairbanks," gasped Miss Jennings from behind the counter, "I can't +stand up any longer. You will have to excuse me." +</p> +<p> +"Well, you do look sick, so I suppose you can go. But as it is only ten +o'clock I shall have to call it a full day, Miss Jennings." +</p> +<p> +"Call it anything you like," whispered Miss Jennings hoarsely; "only let +me lie down, on the floor or anywhere." +</p> +<p> +Faith sprang down from her high perch without an instant of hesitation. +</p> +<p> +"Let me take her to the cloak-room, please, Miss Fairbanks," she begged. +"Miss Jennings is my friend—do, please, let me take her." +</p> +<p> +"Nonsense! Get back to your desk this instant, packer! If she is too +sick to go alone one of the cash girls can take her. Come, hurry along; +there are customers coming." +</p> +<p> +Faith gave a despairing sob as she climbed back to her seat. Miss +Jennings was desperately ill—she was sure of it. +</p> +<p> +Suddenly it occurred to her what a really brave fellow Mr. Watkins was. +She had heard Mr. Forbes tell him to have Miss Jennings discharged, yet +for two days he had disregarded the order. +</p> +<p> +That, and the picture of the young man in Miss Jennings' purse told +Faith a story as plain as words could have done. The two were lovers, +she was positive of it, she began to wonder if Mr. Watkins knew of his +sweetheart's condition. +</p> +<p> +"Move faster there, packer!" called Miss Fairbanks crossly. "Can't you +see the lady is waiting for her parcel while you are loitering?" +</p> +<p> +"Oh, I am in no hurry at all, madam," said a calm, lady-like voice. "Do +not hurry the poor girl, please. She is probably tired." +</p> +<p> +"She has no right to be tired at this time in the morning"—Miss +Fairbanks was trying to be polite, but her voice was still snappy. +</p> +<p> +"Are you never tired at this hour?" asked the lady, calmly. "I +frequently wake tired, and from no especial reason. In this case I +should think it surprising if she ever felt rested." +</p> +<p> +"Oh, they get used to it—we all do," said Miss Fairbanks, stammering. +"Or, at least, we must do our work just the same. We are not supposed to +have feelings." +</p> +<p> +"Pray, tell me who are your judges, madam?" The lady spoke more sharply. +"Who dares to say that human beings who earn their living have no +feelings?" +</p> +<p> +"Well, if they don't say so out loud that is what they think," replied +the buyer. "Why, we'd be discharged before night if we were to complain +of too much work. They want machines in these stores, and we are the +nearest substitutes." +</p> +<p> +"Well, why don't you all rebel and force your employers to think +differently? Mind, I don't tell you to do it. I am just asking for +information." +</p> +<p> +"It would do no good; we would simply lose our places, and for each one +of us there would be ten applicants to-morrow." +</p> +<p> +Miss Fairbanks spoke the truth, and she spoke it sadly. +</p> +<p> +For the second time Faith was inclined to think that the woman was not +bad-hearted. +</p> +<p> +"The law should step in and regulate such matters," said the lady. "So +much authority should not be allowed to a few human beings. A few +arrests for manslaughter would not be amiss. I have just seen one woman +who is being killed by this slavery, and there are plenty more behind +these counters." +</p> +<p> +"But no jury could convict our employers, if that is what you mean." +Miss Fairbanks was gasping over the startling suggestion. +</p> +<p> +"I'm not so sure," said the lady thoughtfully. "If they could see what I +have just seen they might possibly do it There is a young woman dying +this minute down in that villainous cloak-room." +</p> +<p> +With a smothered groan Faith sprang swiftly to the floor. +</p> +<p> +"It is Mary—my friend," she cried out in agony. "No, Miss Fairbanks, +you shall not stop me! I will go to Miss Jennings!" +</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<a name="CH11"><!-- CH11 --></a> +<h2> + CHAPTER XI. +</h2> + +<h3> +A DEATH IN THE CLOAK-ROOM. +</h3> +<p> </p> +<p> +When Faith reached the cloak-room she found a scene of the wildest +confusion. A number of clerks and cash girls were surrounding Miss +Jennings, who lay on the floor upon a pile of wraps which they had +hurriedly thrown down for her. Mr. Gibson, the manager, was bending over +her with a glass of water in his hand, and was giving orders right and +left in an excited manner. +</p> +<p> +"Go for a doctor, some one!" he cried. "No, get an ambulance—that will +be better! The officer on the corner will call one for you. It will +never do to have her die here! The newspapers would all get it, and +goodness only knows what they would say about us." +</p> +<p> +He raised his head as he spoke and found himself face to face with the +new packer in the ribbon department. She was as white as chalk and her +eyes were flaming with anger. +</p> +<p> +"How dare you send her to a hospital when she is so ill?" she whispered, +sharply. "Get a physician here at once, sir, and a glass of wine instead +of water." +</p> +<p> +She pushed her way through the group of frightened girls and looked upon +her friend, whom she saw at once was unconscious from weakness. +</p> +<p> +"Stand back a little, girls, and give her air," she cried, firmly. +"There is none too much ventilation in this place, Mr. Gibson; +quick—lower the windows if you can, sir." +</p> +<p> +Without dreaming of disobeying, Mr. Gibson sprang to the window. There +was something so commanding in her manner that she fairly over-awed him. +The next moment he had dispatched cash girls for a doctor and some wine, +even taking the money out of his own pocket to pay for the cordial. +</p> +<p> +Faith had succeeded in clearing a circle about the fainting girl, and +was just looking for something with which to fan her, when two +people—a man and a woman—entered the door of the cloak-room, and +stopped short when they saw the unusual spectacle. +</p> +<p> +"It is just as I thought—she is dying," said the woman, softly. +</p> +<p> +Faith recognized the voice at once. It was the lady whom she had just +left talking to Miss Fairbanks at the ribbon counter. +</p> +<p> +"You see, Mr. Denton, my words have come true! You are killing these +young women by overwork and bad air, yet you dare to resent any +interference in the matter." +</p> +<p> +Faith was kneeling by Miss Jennings now and had raised her head to her +lap. There was a quiver of the girl's eyelids. When the wine came at +last she was able to swallow it. +</p> +<p> +"This is dreadful!" said Mr. Denton, in a tone of genuine distress. +"Here, Mr. Gibson, do all you possibly can for that young woman, and for +Heaven's sake, try to keep this out of the newspapers." +</p> +<p> +"Can I help you, dear?" said the lady, going over to where Faith sat by +her friend, "or am I merely exhausting the air that the poor child +should be breathing? You were a brave girl to come to her rescue as you +did. If any trouble results from it, be sure and let me know it." +</p> +<p> +She dropped her card into Faith's lap, and left the place with Mr. +Denton. +</p> +<p> +The doctor was just entering and there was no spare room. She had seen +at a glance that Faith could do all that was needed. +</p> +<p> +A few minutes later Miss Jennings opened her eyes. When she saw Faith +bending over her she smiled very happily. +</p> +<p> +"You are better, dear, aren't you?" whispered Faith, as she tried to +return the smile. +</p> +<p> +Miss Jennings shook her head gently. "I am satisfied," was her low +answer. +</p> +<p> +"But I want you to be happy, Mary," cried Faith, who saw death in the +poor girl's face. "Look up, dear; there is One who loves you. Can you +not believe it?" +</p> +<p> +"I trust it is so," said the dying girl, faintly, "I have not believed, +but I may have been mistaken." +</p> +<p> +"You were indeed, Mary, but you were not to blame! Poor child, yours +has been a sad lot, but there is happiness coming." +</p> +<p> +There were stifled sobs from many of the girls who were standing in +frightened groups about the room. The hush upon each lip spoke only too +plainly of death's presence. +</p> +<p> +"Poor Dick!" sighed Miss Jennings. "If it were not for Dick—" +</p> +<p> +Dick was the crippled brother who was her only charge. +</p> +<p> +"I will take him to live with me, Mary," whispered Faith, nobly. "My +mother will love him and so will I—but what is it, dear?" +</p> +<p> +Miss Jennings was trying to say something more. Her voice was so low +that only Faith could hear it. +</p> +<p> +"Will He forgive indifference, rebellion, distrust?" +</p> +<p> +"Though your sins are as scarlet, He shall wash them white, dear Mary. +As we forgive our enemies, so He will forgive us." +</p> +<p> +The dying girl raised her eyes. Strangely enough their gaze rested upon +the face of Mr. Denton. +</p> +<p> +He had come back to the scene only a moment before, and for perhaps the +first time in his life, pangs of remorse were seizing him. +</p> +<p> +"I—forgive—" murmured the poor girl, still gazing at Mr. Denton. Her +eyes closed slowly as she spoke. +</p> +<p> +With a fearful groan, Mr. Denton fled from the place. +</p> +<p> +The physician had done what he could, but his efforts were useless. +Another life had gone out at the very dawning of its day; crushed out by +the injustice and the greed of fellow-beings. Faith choked back her sobs +as well as she could, and looked on in amazement at what followed the +tragedy. An undertaker was called and placed in charge of the body, and +the utmost concern seemed to be felt about all the arrangements, +especially by Mr. Gibson, who had been put in charge of the matter by +the firm. +</p> +<p> +Faith would not have understood such a sudden "change of heart" if she +had not been enlightened by one of the other women. +</p> +<p> +"They know it's bound to get into the papers," she whispered, "so they +are making a big bluff, you know. They don't really care about Miss +Jennings." +</p> +<p> +Faith put on her hat without waiting to hear more; Such hypocrisy as +this completely overcame her. +</p> +<p> +Miss Fairbanks was not consulted regarding her movements now, for the +young girl quite forgot the rules and regulations of the establishment. +As quick as she could she started to go up-town in search of the humble +rooms where she knew she would find the crippled boy whom she had taken +under her protection. +</p> +<p> +As she left the store a young man joined her. She gave a sharp glance at +his face. It was Mr. Watkins. +</p> +<p> +Involuntarily the young girl extended her hand, and in that sympathetic +clasp both knew that their love for the dead girl was mutual, and that +forever after between them would be the firmest friendship. +</p> +<p> +Mr. Watkins insisted upon accompanying Faith on her errand of mercy, and +as he seemed to need her tender consolation and sympathy, Faith was glad +to allow him to share her mission. +</p> +<p> +He had heard of his sweetheart's death only through the gossip of the +store, so Faith told him of Mary's calm resignation, and her belief that +she died happy in the faith of a true Christian. +</p> +<p> +The crippled boy, Dick, was a sweet little fellow of six years, and in +spite of the added expense, Mrs. Marvin was glad to have him with her. +He would give her something to think of, she said, in the long days to +come, when Faith would be away at business. She set about to comfort the +little fellow at once. +</p> +<p> +Faith was too disturbed to go back to the store that day, and as it was +to be closed the next day on account of the funeral of young Mr. Forbes, +she had time to think over the outlook for the future. +</p> +<p> +"I am sure Mr. Denton is not a bad man, mother," she said, as they sat +with Mr. Watkins in the little parlor. "His face showed the deepest +agony. I am sure he has a heart. Oh, if only I could reach it, perhaps +things would be different." +</p> +<p> +"But you say that lady, the Government Inspector, was with him at the +time. His distress may have been feigned," answered her mother, +suspiciously. +</p> +<p> +"I don't think so, mother, for there were tears in his eyes. I think he +is merely neglectful. He leaves the consideration for employees entirely +to his partners." +</p> +<p> +"Many business men are that way," remarked her mother, after a minute. +"They are so concerned about their financial matters that they ignore +what is more sacred—their duty toward their fellow-beings. By the way, +I have just read of two more failures, one a shoe store and the other a +grocery store, and both because of the department store evil! How can +small dealers, with only a few hundred dollars behind them, expect to +compete with firms whose capitals reach the millions? They are only the +poor little fishes in the sea, while the department stores are sharks, +sharp-toothed monsters of destruction!" +</p> +<p> +"I have heard of one department store in Philadelphia, I think, where +the proprietor gave situations to a lot of men after he had bought them +out or completely ruined their business. That is better than nothing," +said Mr. Watkins thoughtfully. +</p> +<p> +"It is the only recompense possible in such an unjust transaction." +</p> +<p> +"They do not think it unjust; they call it simply business,'" said Faith +bitterly. "The one who sells the most goods is considered the smartest. +It is a case where might makes right—the survival of the fittest." +</p> +<p> +"In other words," replied Mrs. Marvin, "a rich corporation justifies its +methods on the grounds that it has a right to transact business on a +scale corresponding to its pecuniary ability—there is no question of +morality involved. Every man for himself, and the devil take the +hindmost. Yet there are people who believe that there is no future +punishment for these malefactors." +</p> +<p> +"God will punish them according to His judgment, mother. It may be here +and it may be hereafter. We have nothing to do with their wrongdoing. We +must suffer and be brave—that is our duty and our mission." +</p> +<p> +"And do you see no injustice in that?" cried Mr. Watkins sharply. +</p> +<p> +"Was it right that poor Mary should be born to poverty and disease and +wear her young life out in agony, while so many of the wicked are +flourishing? Oh, I have tried not to question or even to think, but the +promise of salvation grows daily more dull in my ears. I doubt the mercy +of God and I cannot help it!" +</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<a name="CH12"><!-- CH12 --></a> +<h2> + CHAPTER XII. +</h2> + +<h3> +A COMPLICATION OF TROUBLES. +</h3> +<p> </p> +<p> +Faith could think of no words then to comfort Mr. Watkins. His grief was +too poignant. She changed the subject. +</p> +<p> +When he left the house to go home, she put on her hat. There was +something she wished to say to him that she could not say before her +mother. There was an errand at the grocery that gave her an excuse, and +as the hour was not late, Faith welcomed the opportunity. +</p> +<p> +As soon as they were in the street she told him her experience with the +store detective and asked his advice in case she should be annoyed in +the future. +</p> +<p> +Before the words were fairly out of her mouth she wished she had not +spoken. There was confusion and shame upon her companion's face, and his +lips trembled strangely when he tried to answer her. +</p> +<p> +For a moment Faith could hardly believe her senses. She stared at him +stupidly, while her limbs trembled beneath her. +</p> +<p> +Instantly a suspicion darted through her brain. She remembered that he, +too, had been in the superintendent's office that evening, and that it +was possible, even probable, that he knew something about the money. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, Miss Marvin, this is dreadful!" he managed to say at last. "I did +not dream that they would settle upon you! I thought, that is, I hoped, +that they had dropped the matter!" +</p> +<p> +"Then you knew of it," said Faith, her voice sounding faint and far +away. +</p> +<p> +"I knew it, yes," said Mr. Watkins. "In fact, I was sent by Mr. Forbes +to stop you, but you had gotten out of the building." +</p> +<p> +"Is it possible?" +</p> +<p> +Faith was coming back to her senses now. +</p> +<p> +"Tell me all you know of the matter, Mr. Watkins," she said, sternly, +"and tell me the exact truth. Don't attempt to hide anything!" +</p> +<p> +Mr. Watkins controlled himself and told her the whole story—how the +superintendent had suspected her of stealing the money and sent to have +her brought back at once and had been disappointed. +</p> +<p> +"An hour later," he continued, "he got a telegram from his wife. His son +was dying and he had to go home. Since then there had nothing been done +about the robbery." +</p> +<p> +Faith drew a long breath after the young man finished. +</p> +<p> +"So appearances are against me," she said, with a sigh. "I am at the +mercy of a rascal like that detective, Hardy." +</p> +<p> +Mr. Watkins said nothing, but he was as pale as death. When he tried to +comfort her the words nearly choked him. +</p> +<p> +Faith saw it and pitied him even while she wondered. A few moments later +she bade him a cordial "good-night." If there was any suspicion in her +heart it did not show in her manner. +</p> +<p> +She was walking slowly home from the grocery, plunged in the most +serious thought, when a well-dressed man of middle age appeared suddenly +before her. +</p> +<p> +"I beg pardon, miss," he said, raising his hat, "but I am a stranger in +this neighborhood and am looking for a certain number. If you live about +here perhaps you will kindly direct me." +</p> +<p> +"I will, with pleasure, sir. What number do you wish?" asked Faith. +</p> +<p> +As she spoke she paused directly in the glare of a gas lamp. +</p> +<p> +As the light fell on her face the stranger stopped abruptly. +</p> +<p> +"By Jove! What luck!" he cried, gayly. "The very angel I was thinking +of!" +</p> +<p> +"What do you mean, sir!" cried Faith, who was now thoroughly frightened. +"If you wish me to direct you, state the number that you seek at once! I +am not in the habit of being addressed by strangers!" +</p> +<p> +"My dear child, don't get angry. I shall not harm you," said the man, +politely, "but you surprised me out of myself. I did not dream of +meeting you." +</p> +<p> +As Faith still stood staring at him he continued, speaking hurriedly, +and his manner became so chivalrous that the young girl soon accused +herself mentally of rudeness. +</p> +<p> +"You see, it is this way, miss. I was thinking of the sweetest little +girl in the whole big world, and when I saw your face you were so much +like her that to save my soul I could not help that exclamation. You +will pardon me, I am sure, for I meant no harm whatever! I am old enough +to be your father, so you see you have no reason to fear me." +</p> +<p> +"I spoke hastily," said Faith, slowly. "I had no wish to be rude, but +you must admit that I had cause to feel a little startled." +</p> +<p> +"You did, indeed, and I apologize humbly, but am I not right in thinking +that I have seen you somewhere before? Are you not employed in the +department store of Denton, Day & Co.?" +</p> +<p> +Faith looked at him in surprise. +</p> +<p> +"I have worked there two days," she began, a little hastily. +</p> +<p> +"And I have seen you twice," replied the stranger, promptly. "Your face +is a sweet one. I could not forget it." +</p> +<p> +The words were spoken so quietly that Faith could not resent them. She +was moving slowly toward her home now, feeling a little bit nervous. +</p> +<p> +"That is a dreadful life for a girl," went on the man, very quietly. "It +is agony for the poor things, both of mind and body!" +</p> +<p> +"You are right, sir," cried Faith, who had thought instantly of Miss +Jennings. "The shop girls' life is one continuous drudgery. She is the +slave of circumstances and the victim of conditions." +</p> +<p> +"I am surprised that so many enter the life. There are surely other +vocations. They choose the hardest one possible." +</p> +<p> +"But do they choose?" asked Faith, who had become interested in spite, +of herself. "Are they not driven this way or that, according to their +opportunities? In my case there was no choice. I had tried everything +else. Hard as it is, I am thankful for my present employment." +</p> +<p> +The man looked at her sharply. There was genuine sympathy in his face. +Almost involuntarily he broke out in violent sentences. +</p> +<p> +"You girls are to blame in great measure for all this, and where the +fault is not yours it lies with your parents! Instead of cultivating +your graces you bedraggle them with labor! Instead of marketing your +smiles you trade in blood and sinew! Every day in that store means a +year off of your life; every anxious moment means an inroad into your +rightful happiness! Why will you not see the folly of your ways? Why can +you not understand that it is a false morality which is killing you? +Why, if I were a girl"—his voice had dropped to the most persuasive +cadence—"I should value my beauty too highly to hide it behind a +counter, and my subsistence should be the boundless reward of affection, +rather than the niggardly recompense for wasted tissues! Of course, I +shock you, because you have done no thinking for yourself. A lot of +narrow souled ancestors have done thinking for you. They have brought +you here to let you shift for yourself, but woe to you if you offend one +of their petty notions of honor. See, child! I have money, I have +constant ease. Could you blame me for offering to share it with youth +and beauty?" +</p> +<p> +As he breathed these words he gazed at Faith eagerly. The soul in the +man had vanished. He was dangerously in earnest. +</p> +<p> +The thrill that flowed through Faith's veins as he spoke was not of +fear, for, child that she was, she understood his meaning, and his words +stirred the deepest channels of her soul—she was more grieved than +shocked at the man's distorted reasoning. +</p> +<p> +"You are all wrong," she said, sadly. "You cannot understand! There are +some things more precious than gold to us, more precious even than +comfort or affection. Not for the world would I lose this 'something' +which I possess! It is the haven of my soul at the hour of every trial. +It is the one solace of my life in the desperate condition that I have +reached. You, a man of years, should not argue so wrongfully. It is +wicked to place temptations before the young and wretched." +</p> +<p> +She had regained her composure as she finished speaking, and a tinge of +righteous indignation made her voice vibrate strangely. +</p> +<p> +"Is it wrong to do good?" asked the man, a trifle sullenly. "Surely +comfort, ease, health are the best a man can offer. Nature did not +create you girls for a life of toil. You were made for love, for homage +and adoration. Yet when one offers you these you turn to your nameless +'something' and, like the martyrs of old, suffer torture and death +rather than accept what is your due. It is incomprehensible, truly!" +</p> +<p> +"Hush! Your words are an insult! I will not hear them. It is true that +my knowledge of the world is limited, but this much I know: the God of +righteousness has placed me here for a purpose, and that purpose is not +to play the coward in time of trouble or to prove traitor to the +highest, holiest instincts which permeate my being! Working girl I am +and may always be, but my lot is a queen's beside what you suggest! God +pity the poor women who have not the wisdom to see it." +</p> +<p> +She was standing before him now like a beautiful statue, one arm +uplifted to emphasize her utterances. +</p> +<p> +"My God! You are superb! Magnificent!" muttered the man involuntarily. +"I would give my life to be worthy of such a woman!" +</p> +<p> +Faith's arm dropped suddenly, and she drew away with a gasp. There was a +look in the man's face that frightened her for a moment. +</p> +<p> +"You have taught me a lesson," he said, almost hoarsely. "I thank you, +child, and I bid you good-evening." +</p> +<p> +"But the number," cried Faith, as he was turning away. "You wished me to +direct you to a certain number." +</p> +<p> +"Never mind it now. I can find it," was the answer. +</p> +<p> +He was walking swiftly away in the darkness of the street, when a figure +approached him from the opposite direction. +</p> +<p> +The two met directly under the gas lamp where Faith had been standing a +moment before, and as they met Faith heard a sharp exclamation. +</p> +<p> +Her sharp eyes recognized the newcomer at once. It was no other than Bob +Hardy, the store detective. +</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<a name="CH13"><!-- CH13 --></a> +<h2> + CHAPTER XIII. +</h2> + +<h3> +A HEAVENLY INSPECTOR. +</h3> +<p> </p> +<p> +When Faith Marvin reached home after her unpleasant interview with the +well-dressed stranger, she was in a state of nervousness that nearly +bordered upon hysterics. The fact that Bob Hardy was a witness to what +she had supposed was a mere accidental meeting gave her an instinctive +clue to the identity of the man, and her cheeks flushed with shame as +she connected him in her thoughts with that insulting proposition of the +detective. +</p> +<p> +She had tried to compose herself, as usual, before going into her +mother's presence, and succeeded so well that when they retired Mrs. +Marvin had no suspicion of the interview. Neither did Faith acquaint her +with the extraordinary suspicions against Mr. Watkins, which she now +felt ashamed to think she had harbored for a second. +</p> +<p> +She was much troubled in mind about the latter, for while she felt in +her heart that Mr. Watkins was innocent she could not help thinking that +he, too, was shielding a thief. She wondered if it was because he felt +the same on the subject as had his sweetheart, Miss Jennings. She said +her prayers quietly and felt more tranquil after. There was a balm in +religion for her trusting heart, which she begged with all her soul to +share with others. +</p> +<p> +It was during this hour that she thought of Mr. Forbes, whom she knew +was to bury his only son on the morrow. Suddenly the thought flitted +through her head that perhaps employees were somewhat to blame for not +expressing more sympathy for their employers in all serious matters. +</p> +<p> +"Perhaps they think us as heartless as we think them," she whispered to +herself; then the impulse came over her to write Mr. Forbes a letter. +</p> +<p> +She rose quietly, so as not to wake her mother, and penned him the note. +It came straight from her heart. She told him she was sorry for his +sorrow. Early the next morning she went out and mailed it. Little Dick +went with her, hobbling along on clumsy crutches. The child had fallen +in love with her at once, and, although he often cried for his sister, +Faith could always cheer him and change his tears to laughter. +</p> +<p> +Late in the afternoon she rode down to the undertaker's. She had not +become reconciled yet to parting with Miss Jennings. +</p> +<p> +As she reached the door two women were just leaving; they were Miss +Fairbanks, the buyer, and Maggie Brady. Faith was startled for a minute, +for she could not understand their interest. Neither one of them had +ever shown the faintest liking for the dead girl, but now she noticed +with surprise that they had both been crying. "Truly, every cloud has a +silver lining," she murmured to herself, "and who knows but what this is +the first glimpse of the lining! Oh, I do hope it will soon show itself +to poor Mr. Watkins." +</p> +<p> +The two women had passed her with a mere nod of the head. She opened the +door of the establishment and confronted Mr. Watkins. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, what is it?" she cried, involuntarily, as she saw his face. "Don't, +dear Mr. Watkins; don't take it so badly." +</p> +<p> +Mr. Watkins put his hand on her arm as she spoke. He was so faint and +weak that he seemed obliged to lean on something. +</p> +<p> +"I—I have explained that matter about the money," he whispered, +hoarsely. "Hardy will not annoy you any longer. The thief has been +discovered." +</p> +<p> +He looked so wretched that the tears sprang to Faith's eyes. +</p> +<p> +"I am glad it is explained," she answered, hastily, "but you are ill, +Mr. Watkins. You should go home this minute." +</p> +<p> +"Home—home!" repeated Mr. Watkins in a vacant manner. +</p> +<p> +Then with a fearful groan of agony he collapsed completely. As he fell +to the floor several of the undertaker's clerks rushed forward and +lifted him up. +</p> +<p> +"Another victim of conditions, of greed and avarice," said a voice in +Faith's ear. +</p> +<p> +She turned quickly and recognized Miss Alma Dean, the woman inspector, +whose card she had in her pocket. +</p> +<p> +Without waiting for Faith to answer, the lady went on speaking. The men +were laying Mr. Watkins on a sofa not twenty feet away from the body of +his dead sweetheart. +</p> +<p> +"That poor fellow was a picture of health two years ago, before he +entered the employ of Denton, Day & Co. I know his mother well; she is a +lovely woman, and he has a younger brother who is also in that store, +and liable to follow in this poor chap's footsteps. I just came in to +look at that poor girl. I want to stamp her face indelibly upon my +memory. Thank fortune I am in a position to remedy some of the evils in +this world. As Government Inspector I can do considerable, but I must +learn the length and breadth of the evil before I am fit to attack it." +</p> +<p> +Faith listened breathlessly to every word. The proprietor of the place +was also listening, and as she finished, he nodded his head as though he +quite agreed with her. +</p> +<p> +Mr. Watkins was rapidly reviving under the kind care bestowed upon him, +but before he was fairly alive to his surroundings Miss Dean took +Faith's hand and led her out on to the sidewalk. +</p> +<p> +"They will take him home—they are very kind people," said the lady, +sadly, "but now, dear, you and I are confronted with a problem. How are +we to prevent the repetition of this horror?" +</p> +<p> +As Miss Dean asked the question she did not really seem to expect an +answer from Faith; it was more like a spoken expression of thoughts that +were vexing her, made to one whom she knew was thoroughly sympathetic. +</p> +<p> +"This is the saddest demonstration of injustice that I have ever +witnessed," she went on, slowly, "yet I know it is mild in comparison +with others. It lacks the hideousness of exposure, so far as you see. We +only know that one more crime has been added to the list, yet the +details of that crime have been carefully spared us." +</p> +<p> +Faith knew that she referred to poor Mary's death, but she could find +no words with which to manifest the depth of her sorrow. +</p> +<p> +"The fear of the law is our only hope, I guess," went on Miss Dean. +"They must be forced to comply with certain regulations. Many of the +stores are doing so, under no compulsion whatever, but these people seem +deaf to everything but the jingle of their dollars." +</p> +<p> +"But the law cannot change their hearts," muttered Faith, at last, "so +the cure that it effects must of necessity be superficial. Oh, if only +the fear of the Lord could be instilled into their system. If they could +only be made to feel that to Him they are accountable!" She spoke with +enthusiasm, her eyes and cheeks brightening. +</p> +<p> +"You are a good ally," said Miss Dean, watching her, "but, my dear, the +day of miracles is ended." +</p> +<p> +"But with God all things are possible! It would be no miracle for Him! I +did not mean to infer that I or any human being could reach their +hearts, still our words and our prayers, are they not noble weapons?" +</p> +<p> +"I am not so sure," said the inspector, gravely. "I think, dear, I am +better fitted to experiment on a purely worldly basis. For instance, I +have already reported the condition of that cloak-room, the drainage, +ventilation and unsuitable location. Then I have mentioned the +inadequate fire appliances in the building as well as the long hours you +girls are obliged to stand and the short time which you are allowed for +luncheon. I think that several of these matters will be changed at once, +but there are others which will take longer or which may never be +accomplished." +</p> +<p> +"It will make them very angry, will it not, when they hear of your +report? And the alterations will be expensive, especially when it comes +to altering the cloak-room." +</p> +<p> +"Oh, well, we inspectors cannot worry over any personal feelings, my +dear. Our duty is to make right all wrong conditions. We are to look +after the health of people, not their money. The only question is how to +do this in the quickest possible manner." +</p> +<p> +Faith glanced at her sharply. She was a handsome woman. There was a +resolution in her face that commanded instant admiration. +</p> +<p> +"I am glad to have seen you to-day," Miss Dean said as they reached the +corner. "I find my sympathies are more and more enlisted through +acquaintance with you girls. Why, I feel that I would like your +employers to spend millions in making your labors a little lighter." +</p> +<p> +She smiled pleasantly as she spoke and offered Faith her hand. +</p> +<p> +"Good-by, dear," she said brightly, "there's a good time coming." +</p> +<p> +Faith watched her as she boarded a car—she was so ambitious, so full of +vigor and so nobly intentioned. +</p> +<p> +"If she were only an inspector sent from God, now," she whispered, then +a tremor shot over her frame at such a wonderful suggestion. +</p> +<p> +"Why should I not be an inspector sent from God," she murmured, "to seek +out the dark places and let in the light? If it is only a candle flame +it will help a little." +</p> +<p> +She turned abstractedly, almost dazed by her thoughts. +</p> +<p> +The next instant she was brought almost rudely to her senses. Some one +had called her by name. She turned and faced young Denton. +</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<a name="CH14"><!-- CH14 --></a> +<h2> + CHAPTER XIV. +</h2> + +<h3> +MR. FORBES TALKS ON RELIGION. +</h3> +<p> </p> +<p> +About two hours before the meeting of Faith and young Denton, Duncan +Forbes returned from burying his son, and sat down disconsolately in the +library of his handsome residence. +</p> +<p> +Although only the junior partner in the firm of Denton, Day & Co., still +his interest, together with his salary as superintendent of the +establishment, brought him in every year a princely income. +</p> +<p> +Then there were other investments of a varied nature, all of which had +proven more than ordinarily successful, yet now in his hour of sorrow he +could feel no atom of thankfulness, and every hour of his busy life +seemed to him to have been wasted. +</p> +<p> +As he sat staring at the fire he could hardly restrain his feelings, for +the words "God will punish you" were ringing in his ears even more +clearly now than when he first heard them. +</p> +<p> +He tried to go over the incidents of that morning when a poor applicant +in his office had wrought such havoc with his conscience. +</p> +<p> +He remembered the five hundred dollars of which he had been robbed, and +he also recalled vaguely the conversation he had with a woman inspector +in the store immediately after. Then came the message regarding his +son's condition, then the death chamber, the grave, and now—desolation. +The door opened softly and a servant entered. She bore a tray upon which +were laid a number of letters. +</p> +<p> +After she had gone Mr. Forbes rose and looked them over. He did so +listlessly. He had no heart for business. +</p> +<p> +The first three were business letters, referred to him by the firm with +a brief note, stating their importance as an apology for the intrusion. +</p> +<p> +The next two letters were letters of condolence from members of his +church. The last was a cheap envelope, neatly sealed and addressed +modestly. +</p> +<p> +This last he turned over and over between his fingers. There was a vague +thought in his brain to which he could give neither shape nor utterance. +</p> +<p> +Could it be possible? He asked the question and then sneered in answer. +The thing was incredible, that he, Duncan Forbes, tyrant and +slave-driver, should be remembered by his victims, yet the envelope was +redolent of sympathetic surprises. +</p> +<p> +He tore it open finally and glanced at the words. For just a moment the +flame of appreciation sprang up within him. +</p> +<p> +The note was from Faith Marvin, the new packer whom he had employed. She +was "sorry for him," she said, "in this hour of his affliction." +</p> +<p> +He laid it down with a sigh that ended in a groan. His brow darkened as +he looked at it. He was aroused and puzzled. The door opened again and +his pastor entered. He came unannounced and in a shrinking manner. +</p> +<p> +Mr. Forbes turned toward him indifferently and held out his hand. He +realized that this call was obligatory. He had been paying for it +yearly. +</p> +<p> +As the two men sat down the minister coughed a little, then he folded +his hands meekly—his host knew what was coming. +</p> +<p> +"I trust that you have become reconciled to this separation, dear +Brother Forbes," he began solemnly, "and that you can say in your heart +'The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away; blessed be the name of the +Lord.'" +</p> +<p> +Duncan Forbes did not answer for the space of a minute, during which +time his pastor watched him furtively from under his eyebrows. +</p> +<p> +"My son was my all," he muttered finally. "It is for his sake alone that +I have lived and labored—that by the sweat of my brow I have +accumulated my fortune." +</p> +<p> +The minister sighed with unaffected sympathy. +</p> +<p> +"Yet God in His mercy has taken him from you. He who seeth the end from +the beginning knew what was best, dear brother, for your soul's +salvation." +</p> +<p> +"But of what use is my life now?" questioned Mr. Forbes sharply. "I am a +broken reed with no ambition to lean upon. A man whose heart has been +plucked by its roots from my body. Is there anything in our religion +which can solace me, do you think? Is there a recompense for the +sufferings of a heartbroken father?" +</p> +<p> +"There is balm for every wound, Brother Forbes, if we seek it. Others +have suffered your loss and been able to find it." +</p> +<p> +Duncan Forbes sat back in his chair and stared straight before him. The +words had brought to his mind unpleasant visions. +</p> +<p> +In an instant he was back in his store again, where scores of +pale-faced, hollow-eyed youths and maidens were moving about. They all +had mothers and fathers or some one who loved them, yet, unlike his +Jack, they were weighed down by poverty, the millstone of disease was +about their necks, and he, Duncan Forbes, was relentlessly grinding the +very spirit out of their frail bodies. +</p> +<p> +He shuddered involuntarily and that brought him back to his senses. +</p> +<p> +"Religion! what is it?" he asked unpleasantly. "Has it any practical +value in the lives of mortals? I have been a church member for forty +years, paying my dues in accordance with the terms of that institution +and shirking none of its responsibilities. Now, at the hour of sorrow, I +find myself facing my grief alone; there is no power in the church that +can help me to bear it. What is religion, I say? Is it a mere mummery of +speech? I have been religious all my life; now I find nothing in it!" +</p> +<p> +"The fault is in you," said his caller, gravely. +</p> +<p> +Both men had risen and stood facing each other. +</p> +<p> +"You have been too occupied with other things, brother—too busy, you +might say, with worldly matters to search for the spirit that pervades +what you call 'mummery.' Surely in your love for Jack you appreciate +something of the love of Christ for man; in your dealings with men and +women you can realize His interest in humanity, and through your wealth +you have the power to reap a harvest of good, yet how have you improved +these opportunities?" +</p> +<p> +Mr. Forbes looked surprised, as well he might. They were the first words +of a personal application of belief that his ears had listened to since +he could remember. +</p> +<p> +"But religion has no part in worldly affairs," he said sullenly. "To be +born for heaven is to be lost for earth; surely we should take each +condition in the order that it comes—wealth, position first; prayer and +praise hereafter; earth for the body and heaven for the soul; goods and +chattels now, faith our stock in trade for the future. This is +practical, is it not? This is good, sound reasoning. You are a minister +of the Gospel, yet you can't deny it!" +</p> +<p> +"I can and do!" cried the minister bravely. "A belief that does not +shape the life of the believer is not religion! Faith that does not +light the path of the present is not the inspiration of Heaven! The +Spirit of Christ is an ever-present reagent, neutralizing every rancor +of human strife and blending all grief into harmonious concord. Every +human act should be weighed in the balance of a man's belief. If he +sacrifice divine faith to worldly ambition, he is in need of the +chastening rod, and God will surely punish him!" +</p> +<p> +"You do not preach that from your pulpit, Dr. Villard," he said slowly, +"and there is hardly a man in your congregation who does not need it." +</p> +<p> +Dr. Villard's thin face turned to a sickly pallor. It was a just +retribution. He accepted it meekly. +</p> +<p> +"We ministers are but human," he began, softly. +</p> +<p> +There was a rap on the door. It came as a welcome interruption. +</p> +<p> +When Mr. Forbes opened the door he saw his assistant, Mr. Watkins. The +young man's face was the color of a corpse, and his hollow eyes were red +from weeping. +</p> +<p> +"I must see you, if only for a minute, sir," he said hastily, then as he +caught sight of the visitor a flush spread over his features. +</p> +<p> +True to his nature, Duncan Forbes scowled heavily for a moment. He +would have sent Mr. Watkins away if his guest had not prevented it. +</p> +<p> +"As you would be done by, Brother Forbes," he whispered quickly. +</p> +<p> +The next moment he was gone and Mr. Watkins had entered. +</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<a name="CH15"><!-- CH15 --></a> +<h2> + CHAPTER XV. +</h2> + +<h3> +A PLAIN TRUTH FROM MR. WATKINS. +</h3> +<p> </p> +<p> +Duncan Forbes roused himself to hear his second visitor's errand. He +knew that it must be something important, yet he felt bored and +disinterested. +</p> +<p> +Business matters were far from his thoughts to-day, yet for forty years +they had consumed his entire attention. +</p> +<p> +Mr. Watkins seemed to be struggling for words—he looked pained and +embarrassed. He shifted his hat from one hand to the other, and his thin +face reddened and paled alternately. +</p> +<p> +For the first time in his life Duncan Forbes looked upon his assistant +as another man's son—the loved and loving child of another father. It +was a queer sensation; he could not get used to it; then came a memory +of Jack, and his emotion conquered for the moment. +</p> +<p> +"You are excited, Watkins; sit down," he said huskily. "Something else +has gone wrong at the store, I suppose. Well, let it go; it can wait +until to-morrow." +</p> +<p> +"No, sir, it can't wait!" blurted out Mr. Watkins. "If it could I should +not have come, knowing as I did of your dreadful sorrow!" +</p> +<p> +Again the thrill of surprise shook the man's every fibre. Another of his +victims had remembered that it was his day of grief, and the very tones +spoke of sympathy for his affliction. +</p> +<p> +"Well, then, what is it?" He spoke with some of his old sternness. +"Speak out, Watkins; you know my habits. I always expect promptness in +these errands." +</p> +<p> +"But this is purely personal, sir!" answered Mr. Watkins, sadly. "I have +come to see you about that five hundred dollars that was taken from your +desk last Monday morning." +</p> +<p> +"What of it?" asked Mr. Forbes with much of his old interest returning. +He had been too long a slave to money to loose the bondage immediately. +</p> +<p> +Mr. Watkins was trembling now so that he could hardly speak. In his +weak condition of health the recent deluge of trouble was telling upon +him. +</p> +<p> +"She took it, I suppose, that girl that I employed that morning," said +Mr. Forbes, trying to hurry matters. "Has anything been done? I told +Hardy to look after it." +</p> +<p> +He picked up Faith's letter again and glanced at it absently. When he +saw the name he dropped it as if it had stung him. +</p> +<p> +A great wave of color purpled his heavy face, and instantly he was the +same old tyrant, raging furiously at the creatures whom fate had made +his victims. +</p> +<p> +"See here, Watkins! Here's her letter! Can you believe such deceit! She +not only cursed me that morning with her religious cant, but she stole +my money as well; now she mocks my sorrow with a letter like that—she +is 'sorry' for me! Do you hear, Watkins? She is 'sorry!'" +</p> +<p> +The great veins were standing out like cords upon his forehead, and he +began pacing the floor in a perfect frenzy of anger. +</p> +<p> +"Tell Hardy to arrest her and have her locked up at once! I'll make an +example of her before the whole store! The idea of her daring to write +me a letter!" +</p> +<p> +"But, Mr. Forbes, please listen!" cried Mr. Watkins at last. This +injustice to Faith had brought him to his senses. "It was not Miss +Marvin who stole the money! She is a good girl, sir, the best I ever +knew, and she is sorry for you, sir; if she wasn't she would not say +so!" +</p> +<p> +"But the money!" roared Mr. Forbes. "Who took the money? If it wasn't +the girl, why didn't you say so?" +</p> +<p> +"I couldn't, sir, at first, but I will say it now; but for pity's sake +be merciful, sir. The thief was my own poor brother!" +</p> +<p> +"What! the boy who tends door?" asked Mr. Forbes in great astonishment. +</p> +<p> +"Yes, sir; poor Sam took it! He stole it for our mother!" +</p> +<p> +Mr. Forbes stared at him some time before he spoke again. +</p> +<p> +"And the girl," he asked finally. "Has Hardy been following her?" +</p> +<p> +"He has indeed," said Mr. Watkins quickly, "but I dare not report his +actions; I have no proofs to offer. Hardy would doubtless deny all that +she could say of him, for a girl is helpless in the hands of a villain +like Hardy." +</p> +<p> +"I have found him a good detective," said Mr. Forbes, slowly, "but if +you knew who took the money why didn't you tell him?" +</p> +<p> +"How could I, sir?" +</p> +<p> +Mr. Watkins had begun to tremble again. +</p> +<p> +"The knowledge of his sin is already killing my mother; if it becomes +public she will die. I was waiting for you to come back to business." +</p> +<p> +"Well, the boy must be punished!" said Mr, Forbes decidedly. "I cannot +be accountable for what may follow." +</p> +<p> +"Do you mean that you will arrest my brother?" cried Mr. Watkins, "when +you know that by doing so you will blast his character forever and drive +a poor woman to her grave who has never wronged you?" +</p> +<p> +"The boy should have thought of that," answered Mr. Forbes, grimly. "I +deal with my employees, not with their futures or their mothers." +</p> +<p> +"But if I return the money! See, I have a part of it here!" +</p> +<p> +Mr. Watkins almost cried with agony as he held out two hundred dollars. +</p> +<p> +Mr. Forbes took the money and counted it carefully. +</p> +<p> +"Let's see, Watkins, your salary is twelve dollars a week," he said +slowly. "If I deduct five dollars a week to cover the balance of this, +it will be just sixty weeks before I could get my money." +</p> +<p> +"If I could only find the rest," said Mr. Watkins, groaning; "but Sam +says he lost it, and I think he tells the truth. If he hadn't lost it he +would have given it all to mother." +</p> +<p> +Mr. Forbes was drumming lightly on a table by his side. It was evident +that two emotions were struggling within him. +</p> +<p> +"Here is the evening paper, sir," said a maid at the door. +</p> +<p> +Mr. Watkins moved automatically and handed it to his employer. +</p> +<p> +"Hey! What is this! A death at our store yesterday, Watkins?" +</p> +<p> +Mr. Forbes had caught sight of a headline half across the paper. +</p> +<p> +Mr. Watkins bowed; he could not speak. His employer opened the paper and +scanned it hastily. +</p> +<p> +"Ah! That's right! That's right! Gibson is a clever man! He makes the +thing sound right before the public! Denton, Day & Co. will pay for Miss +Jennings' funeral, yet they say there is no heart, soul nor conscience +in a big corporation!" +</p> +<p> +He almost laughed as he ran his eye down the columns of the paper, and +for a moment his manner became almost confidential. +</p> +<p> +"That's one of the tricks of our trade, Watkins," he said with a +chuckle. "We cater to the weaknesses and foibles of the public, and +there's nothing that appeals to them like a report of generosity. Of +course, they never stop to think that the poor creatures are much better +off dead than alive, and that they really have no hold on the sympathies +of others. It's a fad among rich people to weep over the poor! Some of +them will probably send flowers to the funeral of that woman, and think +themselves angels of light for doing it! I tell you, religion is a trade +mark in all lines of business, and I've decided in the last few days +that that's about all it's good for!" +</p> +<p> +He laid the paper down with a smile of satisfaction, then turned toward +Mr. Watkins to resume the former conversation. +</p> +<p> +But a look at the young man's face checked the words upon his lips. The +scorn in those hollow eyes burned even through his callous nature. +</p> +<p> +For a moment he saw himself much as his assistant saw him, a man whose +greed of gold never reached its limit, even though lives were sacrificed +in his service. +</p> +<p> +He could not speak although he tried to repeatedly, for the glare of his +assistant's eye transfixed him like a magnet. +</p> +<p> +With one hand upon the door, Mr. Watkins paused to answer: +</p> +<p> +"The papers don't know it all, Mr. Forbes," he whispered shrilly; "or, +if they do, they don't dare to tell what they know. If they did they +would add that it was the least you could do—to pay for her funeral +after your firm has killed her!" +</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<a name="CH16"><!-- CH16 --></a> +<h2> + CHAPTER XVI. +</h2> + +<h3> +FAITH'S TALK WITH YOUNG DENTON. +</h3> +<p> </p> +<p> +"Miss Marvin, I beg that you will excuse this intrusion," said James +Denton as he joined her on the street after her call at the +undertaker's, "but there is something I wish very particularly to say to +you; it is something regarding that poor girl, Miss Jennings." +</p> +<p> +He had raised his hat politely and stood regarding the young girl in a +most courteous manner. As Faith studied his face she could see that he +meant no disrespect, but was painfully in earnest. +</p> +<p> +"I shall be glad to hear anything that you have to say about poor Mary," +she answered sadly, "for she was my very dear friend, although our +acquaintance was a brief one." +</p> +<p> +"Let us walk a little, Miss Marvin, please. I can talk better when I'm +walking. The fact is, I'm horribly upset, and I don't know why I should +be, either." +</p> +<p> +Faith looked at him sharply. He had removed his hat again and was +passing his hand over his brow in a thoughtful manner. +</p> +<p> +She discovered in that glance that he was a remarkably handsome fellow, +for youth, even in its hour of sorrow, cannot help being attracted to +all that is gracious and beautiful. +</p> +<p> +His eyes would have been fine had their glance been a little more +steady, but he shifted his gaze constantly, like one who possesses an +undecided nature. +</p> +<p> +"What I have to say is this," he began very bluntly. "I think the firm +should arrange to let all you girls attend the funeral of Miss Jennings, +and I don't exactly know how to go to work to get them to do it." +</p> +<p> +"Oh, what a lovely idea!" exclaimed Faith, impulsively, "and it is so +kind of you think of it, Mr. Denton," she added. +</p> +<p> +The young man blushed a little at her enthusiastic words, but went on +talking as calmly as possible. +</p> +<p> +"I've been doing a little thinking since Miss Jennings died; I don't +know why, for the death of a clerk doesn't usually affect me." +</p> +<p> +"Perhaps it was because it occurred in the store," suggested Faith, +gently. "You have probably not known the details of any other such sad +occurrence." +</p> +<p> +"That is doubtless it," said Mr. Denton promptly, "but another thing is +this: I knew Mr. Watkins before he went to work for my father. His folks +used to be rich, you know, and Fred was always a good fellow. He was in +love with the girl, and I can't help feeling sorry for him, though, as I +said before, I don't quite understand why I'm interested." +</p> +<p> +"Poor fellow! He needs all our sympathy," cried Faith. "He is lying at +the undertaker's now in a terrible condition!" +</p> +<p> +"Is that so!" exclaimed Mr. Denton. "Why, I met him not more than an +hour ago; he was just coming from Mr. Forbes, the superintendent. His +face was positively ghastly when I saw him. No doubt old Forbes had been +giving him the devil!" +</p> +<p> +"Surely not at this time!" cried Faith in dismay. "He could not be so +cruel—so utterly heartless!" +</p> +<p> +"Forbes has no heart; he is a machine!" said young Denton. "He is simply +a human octopus for pulling in money. Not that I object to money," he +added, with a laugh, "but I hate to see men make it through such inhuman +methods!" +</p> +<p> +Faith was utterly astonished at the young man's words. She had been led +to believe that he was a thoroughly unscrupulous person, but here he was +expressing her own sentiments exactly. +</p> +<p> +In an instant the young man noticed her look of surprise. +</p> +<p> +"You are puzzled," he said quickly. "You thought I was nothing but a +brainless young scamp! No doubt you have heard my character from the +girls in your department!" +</p> +<p> +"Oh, no!" said Faith quickly. "I have not heard that, indeed! But you +will pardon me, Mr. Denton, I did think you were unprincipled, else why +should you come in the store and try to make fools of all the young +women?" +</p> +<p> +"Not all of them, only the prettiest!" laughed young Denton, gayly. +"Surely a man can flirt a little without doing any harm, and the girls +all like it—why shouldn't they, Miss Marvin?" +</p> +<p> +"But do you ever think what this flirting means?" persisted Faith, who +had lost all her timidity and was plunging into the subject in earnest. +</p> +<p> +"It means a good time and a lot of money spent," said the young fellow, +still laughing. "But why not spend it on the girls? Don't they help the +governor to make it?" +</p> +<p> +"Oh, Mr. Denton!" cried Faith, who was now thoroughly shocked. "Is it +possible that you are speaking now of your own father?" +</p> +<p> +"I certainly was," was the unabashed answer. "I did not mean to be +disrespectful; that is only a habit." +</p> +<p> +"A very bad habit," said Faith, reprovingly, "but to return to the +subject of poor Mary's funeral. Do you think if we asked for a day we +would get it? You know, the store is closed to-day; they might not like +to lose another." +</p> +<p> +"Of course, they wouldn't like it, but that don't make any difference," +said young Denton, grandly. "What was Jack Forbes's funeral to you +clerks, anyway? The closing to-day was only a bluff—one of the bluffs +that all stores put up to keep the good opinion of the public. Now, this +affair is entirely different. This girl was one of you, and you ought to +be allowed to attend her funeral!" +</p> +<p> +"Have you spoken to your father?" asked Faith, after a minute. +</p> +<p> +"Not yet, but I'm going to. Now this is my plan: You get up a petition +and get the clerks to sign it and then you go yourself to old Forbes +to-morrow. He'll be worse than a brute if he dares to refuse you! +Meanwhile I'll see my father at home to-night. He's a little soft on me +yet, even if he is a hard-headed old sinner!" +</p> +<p> +"Oh, Mr. Denton, don't say such things!" cried Faith, "I will never talk +to you again if you persist in speaking so of your father!" +</p> +<p> +The young man threw back his head and had a hearty laugh. +</p> +<p> +"You're the most innocent little kitten I ever saw," he said softly; +"it's a deuced shame that you have to work for a living!" +</p> +<p> +Faith's eyes blazed angrily before he had hardly spoken the words. +</p> +<p> +"I am glad to be able to earn my living!" she said sternly; "it is ever +so much nobler than to be living on one's parents!" +</p> +<p> +The flush that mantled the young man's brow showed that her words had +struck home, but he tried to turn it off with a neatly put compliment. +</p> +<p> +"I'm a sad beggar, I know, Miss Marvin, but I'm going to reform! I never +wanted to be different until, well, until now—to be honest." +</p> +<p> +"You are not serious, Mr. Denton; I see laughter in your eyes," said +Faith, smiling. "But I will get up the petition at once, as you suggest, +and I shall pray that our appeal may not be in vain." +</p> +<p> +She had paused at a street corner and was extending her hand to say +good-by to the young man when a woman passed them and jostled Faith +rudely. +</p> +<p> +It was Maggie Brady, the girl who loved Jim Denton. As she faced them +for a second both saw that her eyes gleamed dangerously. Without even +stopping she made a remark to Faith—the words were hissed between her +teeth with the venom of a serpent. +</p> +<p> +"You'll be sorry for this, you little hypocrite! I thought you were too +pious to be altogether healthy!" +</p> +<p> +Faith turned as pale as death as the woman strode on; James Denton was +smiling in a half-hearted manner. +</p> +<p> +"That is the result of your flirting," Faith managed to say at last. +"Oh, Mr. Denton, can't you see what you've done? You've made that woman +love you, and now she is going straight to destruction!" +</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<a name="CH17"><!-- CH17 --></a> +<h2> + CHAPTER XVII. +</h2> + +<h3> +THE PARTNERS DO A LITTLE TALKING. +</h3> + +<p> </p><p> +Mr. Forbes was at his office in the store early the next morning after +his interview with Mr. Watkins. He would have been glad to stay away for +another day, but there were many details of the business that needed his +attention. Sam Watkins, his office boy, was not waiting for him as +usual, but Mr. Forbes was confident that he could find him when he +wanted him. He looked around for his assistant, but he was absent also. +This fact was more annoying, because it aroused his suspicions. +</p> +<p> +"Bolted!" he muttered with an angry frown. "Ten to one he's run away and +I'll never get my money." +</p> +<p> +Then he smiled a little, for he knew that Watkins had no funds with +which to make his escape, but even if he had there were many ways of +catching him. +</p> +<p> +As he seated himself at his desk both of his partners entered, and there +were expressions of condolence offered in a punctilious manner. +</p> +<p> +"Sometimes I think that we fathers are all wrong," remarked Mr. Denton, +after the condolences were over. "We bind ourselves hand and foot in the +bondage of business, and all for what—our wives and children! If they +needed such a sacrifice we would not begrudge it, but the more they have +the more they want, until the head of the family is a mere automaton—a +machine to pamper useless folly." +</p> +<p> +This was a lengthy speech for the senior partner to make, as he was +naturally a reticent man, who allowed others to do the talking. +</p> +<p> +"You may be right," remarked Mr. Day pompously, "still, you must admit +that wealth brings advantages even to us who slave—we can drop business +cares and go abroad now and then—our time is our own beyond a certain +figure." +</p> +<p> +"I have never reached that figure," said Mr. Forbes, very dryly, "and +further, when I drop the reins the horses run wild, for be as careful as +you may in the choice of employees there is never one who will not take +advantage of your absence—the exceptions are so rare that they are +scarcely worth mentioning." +</p> +<p> +"Well, I for one am getting discouraged," said Mr. Denton. "There's that +boy of mine, Jim; how is he repaying my efforts?" +</p> +<p> +There was no answer to his question, but he did not expect one. After a +moment's silence he finished his observations. +</p> +<p> +"If that boy had a million he would spend it in a month, yet no one has +ever yet accused him of being vicious. I've set him up in business and +everything else—he's had money and an example, but with it all, what is +he?" +</p> +<p> +"Perhaps you are not strict enough," suggested Mr. Day, who was thanking +his stars at that moment that he had no children. +</p> +<p> +"It will take something besides discipline to make a man of Jim." +</p> +<p> +Mr. Denton sighed as if he was very unhappy. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, he'll marry and settle down some day," said Mr. Day, laughing. +"When he has a family to support he'll take life more seriously." +</p> +<p> +"I wish he had one," said Mr. Denton, speaking quickly, "but I hope +he'll marry a working girl and not a 'society lady.'" +</p> +<p> +Both of his partners looked up in unfeigned surprise, but it was evident +that the words had been said deliberately. +</p> +<p> +"There's a girl, a packer, down in the ribbon department. I've only seen +her once, but she's a perfect beauty. That's the kind of a girl that +would make a good wife; she's not afraid of work and she's honestly +religious." +</p> +<p> +Mr. Forbes and Mr. Day were almost gasping now, but Mr. Denton went +right on as though his words were not extraordinary. +</p> +<p> +"When that Miss Jennings died this girl held her in her arms. She's not +over seventeen, yet death did not even frighten her. In that poor girl's +last hour she was her only comfort, and if I ever saw an angel I saw +one at that moment." +</p> +<p> +Some one tapped on the door, but no one rose to open it. Mr. Denton +waited a moment and then went on with his subject. +</p> +<p> +"I don't remember how I happened to be in the basement that day. Oh, +yes, I do. Mr. Forbes was away, and Mr. Gibson sent for me. I was +waylaid on the first floor by one of those Government Inspectors; she +went with me to the cloak-room. I simply couldn't stop her! When I got +there that girl, Miss Jennings, was dying, and what do you think, with +her very last breath she looked me in the face, and said she 'forgave' +me." +</p> +<p> +"What!" +</p> +<p> +Mr. Day leaned forward with astonishment on his features. +</p> +<p> +Mr. Forbes half arose from his chair, and then fell back heavily. +</p> +<p> +Before he spoke again Mr. Denton began pacing the office floor. He was +becoming more and more disturbed as he continued his recital. +</p> +<p> +"They tell me that girl has been with us six years, and that she has +never lost a day except from sickness. She was a consumptive +always—inherited it from her mother—but in spite of it, she had to +work to support herself and a brother. She was getting ten dollars a +week at the time she died, yet the cashier tells me that her checks for +one hour alone have frequently amounted to twenty dollars. I tell you, +this bit of information has set me to thinking, and the outcome of my +thoughts is a simple question: 'Are we men or brutes?' That is what I +want to know, and as it concerns you two as well as me, I'm going to ask +you to answer it!" +</p> +<p> +There was the silence of death in the superintendent's office. Even Mr. +Denton stood perfectly still as he asked his question. +</p> +<p> +Suddenly Mr. Day raised his head with a little jerk. His cheeks became +inflated as he tried to assume his usual bearing. +</p> +<p> +"It is possible we have been a little thoughtless," he said sweetly, +"but our subordinates should attend to these matters; that is what they +are paid for." +</p> +<p> +Mr. Forbes wheeled around in his chair and faced the speaker. +</p> +<p> +"I have hired no subordinates on that basis," he said distinctly. "My +orders have been to get all the work possible out of a clerk, and when +they were incompetent or in any way useless, turn them out and get new +ones, and I believe that I have acted with the full consent of my +partners." +</p> +<p> +Mr. Day looked crestfallen for about a minute. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, if you put it that way, why, of course, Mr. Forbes. We could not +expect to sell our goods with a lot of dummies behind our counters." +</p> +<p> +"We've had worse than 'dummies,'" spoke up Mr. Denton. "We've had +skeletons and lunatics and almost corpses! Just go down and look at +them, men, women and children! There's not ten healthy human beings on +any floor in the building; yet they came to us, many of them, glowing +with health, like Miss Marvin." +</p> +<p> +"Are they worse than at other stores?" asked Mr. Day, sullenly. +</p> +<p> +"I don't know," was the answer; "but that doesn't matter." +</p> +<p> +"They get their pay regularly," said Mr. Forbes. "Further, we do not +solicit their services, nor compel them to stay with us." +</p> +<p> +"No; we merely take advantage of their wretched conditions to secure +their services cheap," said Mr. Denton bitterly; "then instead of +bettering their lot we grind them lower and lower, until at last they +die either forgiving or cursing us." +</p> +<p> +There was another silence more oppressive than the first; then Mr. Day +rose slowly and started to leave the office. +</p> +<p> +"We are exciting ourselves foolishly, I think," he said loftily; +"neither you nor I, my partners, can hope to remedy the conditions of +labor." +</p> +<p> +He closed the door softly, and was free from the unpleasant atmosphere +of the office. +</p> +<p> +As he did so, a young girl stepped out of the elevator and walked +directly to the door which he had just closed behind him. He turned and +looked at her—she was as a saint. Almost instinctively it came to him +what his partner had said, that she was "not afraid of work and was +honestly religious." +</p> +<p> +"Pshaw! What nonsense!" he muttered. "Think of our patterning after a +saint! It is strange how death will upset some men, but they'll get over +it when they hear the money jingling!" +</p> +<p> +He opened the door to his private office just as a boy came upstairs +with a message from Mr. Gibson. +</p> +<p> +"Mr. Watkins was taken to the hospital last night," it read; "are we +expected to do anything? There's a reporter from the <i>Herald</i>." +</p> +<p> +"I'll send down the answer in a moment," he said to the boy, "or, wait; +tell Mr. Gibson to say that we are looking into the case, and if our +employee is found to be deserving he will be cared for by the firm. The +reporter can call again if he wishes anything further." +</p> +<p> +With the note in his hand he went back to the superintendent's office. +</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<a name="CH18"><!-- CH18 --></a> +<h2> + CHAPTER XVIII. +</h2> + +<h3> +FAITH BECOMES AN OBJECT OF JEALOUSY. +</h3> +<p> </p> +<p> +As Mr. Day opened the office door with the message in his hand, he +hesitated for a moment, in something like bewilderment. +</p> +<p> +Faith Marvin was standing before his partners with a paper in her hand, +and just as he entered she was speaking eagerly. "We would be so +thankful if you would do this, gentlemen—even for half a day, if you +cannot spare a whole one. You see, poor Miss Jennings has no family, +only a crippled brother, so we clerks are really her brothers and +sisters. She was a dear, good girl; so patient and resigned. If we could +lay her in the grave ourselves it would be a sweet and solemn pleasure." +</p> +<p> +She turned from one of the men to the other with her appealing glance, +even including Mr. Day as he stood irresolute upon the threshold. +</p> +<p> +Mr. Forbes was the first to recover his voice. The girl's appearance and +the petition had made them both dumb for a minute. +</p> +<p> +"It can't be done, Miss Marvin," he said, curtly. "It would be +establishing a precedent; isn't it so, Mr. Denton?" +</p> +<p> +"But surely, Mr. Forbes, such a precedent would do no harm!" cried Faith +quickly. "Poor Mary is the first clerk who has died in the store, you +know. It isn't at all likely that there will be any others." +</p> +<p> +Mr. Forbes stared at her curiously. He was not exactly angry. As she +stood supplicatingly before him, she was radiantly beautiful. +</p> +<p> +"Why not have it in the evening?" suggested Mr. Denton. He had found his +voice at last, and came to the superintendent's rescue. +</p> +<p> +"The girls are so tired at night," said Faith, sighing. "I thought of +that—but it did not seem advisable." +</p> +<p> +"We might arrange for a few of you to be away on that day. Surely, you +were not all Miss Jennings' friends; there is no excuse for the whole +store going into mourning." +</p> +<p> +Mr. Forbes spoke decidedly and with a little of his old crustiness. The +spell of the girl's magnetism was beginning to leave him. +</p> +<p> +"That would mean extra work for the clerks who remained," was Faith's +desperate answer, "and poor Mary would be the first to object to that. +Their duties are hard enough now. Oh, no, sir; I am sure that would not +be thought of for a minute. If there is work to be done, we will all +stay and do it, but if you only would relieve us for a few hours, we +would be deeply grateful." +</p> +<p> +"It wouldn't do at all, Mr. Forbes!" +</p> +<p> +Mr. Day spoke, if anything, more pompously than ever. "Pardon me, but we +have lost one day this week. We can't afford another." +</p> +<p> +"That settles it," said the superintendent, wheeling around in his +chair. "You will please return to your duties, Miss Marvin; we cannot +allow your petition." +</p> +<p> +Faith walked slowly from the office with the tears springing to her +eyes. Before she reached the ribbon counter a floor walker stepped up to +her. She had never seen him before, but recognized him at once as the +Mr. Gunning whom she had heard the girls say belonged in that +department, but was away just then upon a short vacation. +</p> +<p> +"You have been gone more than fifteen minutes, No. 411," he said, +sharply. "Hurry over to your counter; Miss Fairbanks wishes to see you." +</p> +<p> +Faith looked at him timidly. He was a silly looking young man who wore a +flaming red necktie and curled the ends of his mustache. +</p> +<p> +"Another tyrant," thought Faith, but she only bowed respectfully. +Already in her short term of service she was getting used to tyrants. +</p> +<p> +"I am going to put you in Miss Jennings' place for a day or two," was +the buyer's greeting. "I am short of girls, so you will have to do. Miss +Jones will tell you what you don't know about the stock, and I hope +you'll be very careful in your measurement of the ribbon." +</p> +<p> +"I will do my best," said Faith, very sadly. She was soon standing +behind the counter, a full-fledged saleswoman. For some reason there had +been nothing said about the half day that she had lost, but Faith knew +only too well that she would be heavily fined for her absence. Still, it +was better than being discharged. She accepted the alternative +thankfully. +</p> +<p> +If Bob Hardy was in the store he kept out of the ribbon department, for +Faith looked around for him nervously several times, and was greatly +relieved when she did not see him. +</p> +<p> +Once she overheard two cash girls talking about the robbery in the +office, and as they mentioned the name of Watkins she paused +involuntarily and listened. +</p> +<p> +"They say he's got brain fever," said one of the girls. "Well, I'd think +he'd be crazy with all that's happened." +</p> +<p> +"It must be awful," said the other girl. "Why, his brother was only a +kid, and, to think, he stole five hundred dollars!" +</p> +<p> +Faith almost gasped for breath at this information. +</p> +<p> +She tried to speak to the girl, but her lips and tongue seemed palsied. +She understood now what poor Mr. Watkins had suffered, and to think she +had distrusted him—even for one brief second! +</p> +<p> +Several times during the forenoon she saw Maggie Brady watching her, and +the hatred in her eyes was too plain for Faith not to see and understand +thoroughly. +</p> +<p> +Her first thought was to see Maggie and explain her conversation with +James Denton, but she thought better of it later, and decided to keep +silent. Miss Fairbanks was plainly upset and nervous. She scolded the +girls constantly, and seemed irritated beyond measure. Whether Mr. +Gunning's presence was responsible for this nervousness Faith could not +tell, but it was plain that the two were on bad terms with each other. +</p> +<p> +On the other hand, Mr. Gunning had many friends in the department. Miss +Jones smiled at him frequently, as did several of the others. +</p> +<p> +Faith was standing erect behind her counter when a sharp-looking woman +came up. She began asking to see ribbons of various widths and colors. +Faith tried to wait upon her as rapidly as possible, but as she was not +familiar with the stock, she got sadly muddled. +</p> +<p> +"How long have you been here?" asked the woman suddenly. +</p> +<p> +"Only about two hours at this counter," said Faith, sadly. "I am very +sorry, but I am afraid I have not waited on you properly." +</p> +<p> +"Do you mean that you are a new girl altogether?" asked the woman. +</p> +<p> +Faith glanced up innocently, and saw both Miss Fairbanks and the +floorwalker scowling at her. +</p> +<p> +As quick as their eyes met Miss Fairbanks made a signal. It was as plain +as day. Faith was to answer no questions. +</p> +<p> +The woman was looking at her with her shrewd, sharp eyes. +</p> +<p> +"Well, why don't you answer?" she asked, half smilingly. +</p> +<p> +"I was a packer for two days," said Faith very softly. She could see no +reason why she should not answer the question. +</p> +<p> +As the woman moved away from the counter every eye in the department +followed her, and Faith noticed how alert all the girls were to wait +upon her. +</p> +<p> +As soon as she disappeared Miss Fairbanks rushed up to Faith. +</p> +<p> +"What did she ask you?" she questioned breathlessly; "and what did you +tell her?" +</p> +<p> +Faith repeated the conversation in open-eyed wonder. When she had +finished Miss Fairbanks breathed a sigh of relief, but her face was +still clouded. "I guess they won't blame me for putting in a green +girl," she said slowly. "Anyway, there was no one else. I'm awfully +short-handed as it is." +</p> +<p> +"We ain't to blame if they don't give us help enough," remarked Mr. +Gunning, savagely. "This firm is too stingy to keep a full force of +clerks. Still, if one of them is sick or dies, there's always a row +about changes." +</p> +<p> +"Well, if she feels like it, she'll report, and that will mean +trouble," said Miss Fairbanks, sighing; "but perhaps she won't. There +are some good-hearted ones among them." +</p> +<p> +"Who was she?" asked Faith as soon as she got the opportunity. +</p> +<p> +"Only one of Denton, Day & Co.'s spies," was the answer. "They are +better known in the business as 'Private Shoppers.'" +</p> +<p> +Faith looked aghast at this information. +</p> +<p> +"Didn't you ever hear of them before?" asked Miss Jones, coming up. +"Why, every store has them; they are a part of the system." +</p> +<p> +"Do explain!" cried Faith; "I am still in the dark. Do you mean that +that woman was a regular detective?" +</p> +<p> +"Oh, Lord, no; she wasn't a detective at all! She's a spy, I tell you, +the genuine article! Her principal work is to trot around in other +stores and learn all she can about their 'specials' and prices, and get +all the information possible in order to keep her employers posted on +what their rivals are doing, and besides that she is expected to prowl +around this store at irregular intervals, and we are not supposed to +know that she isn't a legitimate customer. She asks questions and pumps +and finds out all we know; then she makes us take down all our goods and +put them all back, just to see if we are in the habit of keeping our +tempers. Oh, she can make life miserable for us if she chooses! A bit of +indifference on our part, and up a report goes, straight to the +superintendent, and we get bally-hoo from the buyer shortly after! I +tell you, we've got to be saints to keep our jobs in this place, but +once in awhile, when we get the chance we let out on some safe +party—that's the way we square ourselves. We can't always be angels." +</p> +<p> +"I've got a lot to learn," said Faith with a sigh, "but I shall always +be civil and attentive to my customers, so I don't think I shall have +much to fear from that particular direction." At just that moment a +messenger boy came along the aisle. He had come from outside, and was +looking for some one. +</p> +<p> +"Who is it? What do you want?" asked Mr. Gunning, going forward. +</p> +<p> +"Miss Faith Marvin," said the boy, loudly. "I have a package for her." +</p> +<p> +Faith looked up in surprise, as she heard the words. She signed the +boy's ticket automatically, and accepted the package. +</p> +<p> +As she did so, a card dropped from under the cord with which it was +tied. +</p> +<p> +Maggie Brady, who was watching her closely, sprang forward and snatched +it up in an instant. As she laid it on the counter she fairly trembled +with rage. +</p> +<p> +She had read the words which were written on the card. +</p> +<p> +They were simply: "To Miss Marvin, with the compliments of Jas. T. +Denton." +</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<a name="CH19"><!-- CH19 --></a> +<h2> + CHAPTER XIX. +</h2> + +<h3> +FAITH GETS ACQUAINTED WITH THE THIEF. +</h3> +<p> </p> +<p> +It was impossible for any one to see Maggie Brady's face without reading +in it how much she hated the girl who she thought had stolen her lover +from her. Miss Fairbanks turned on her heel and walked away laughing, +while several of the clerks began jeering Maggie quietly. +</p> +<p> +"You are not the only pebble on the beach; did you think you were, Mag? +There are others, you see! Why, you're not one, two, three in Jim +Denton's good graces!" +</p> +<p> +"Off with the old and on with the new! There's no one proves the truth +of that proverb oftener than a certain young man I could mention! +However, Maggie, don't throw up the sponge! You've got the first claim +on Jim Denton—why don't you let him know it?" +</p> +<p> +Faith listened to these words in utter amazement. She was distressed +beyond measure that this unfortunate thing should have happened. +</p> +<p> +She was glad enough when a number of customers came in. She was +beginning to dread these occasional lulls in business. Maggie Brady had +not said a word in reply to any of the taunts, but her face had paled +until the two spots of rouge on her cheeks gave her a ghastly look that +was positively shocking. +</p> +<p> +Faith felt so sorry for the girl that she did not know what to do, but +there was no time to waste in thinking, for she was being addressed by a +customer. +</p> +<p> +"My dear, can you tell me where that young lady is—Number 89, I think, +they called her. She waited on me so nicely the other day that I would +like to see her again if there is no objection." +</p> +<p> +Before she had finished speaking Faith had recognized her. It was the +kind old lady whom Miss Jennings had dragged behind the counter during +the excitement about the fire. She had said at that time that she would +not forget her. +</p> +<p> +Faith's ready tears had already sprung into her eyes, but she managed to +tell the good woman what had happened. +</p> +<p> +When she finished speaking the lady looked terribly grieved. She could +not speak for a moment—she was so shocked and indignant. +</p> +<p> +"That settles my shopping in this place any more," she said finally. "I +will not trade in a store where my sister women are so badly treated." +</p> +<p> +Faith saw her opportunity, so she hurriedly told her about the petition, +and how the house that had closed its doors because a son of the junior +partner died would not spare half a day to let its employees attend the +funeral of a comrade. +</p> +<p> +"What a shame!" said the lady, carefully lowering her voice. "What a +pity that the public should not know of all these things. I am sure it +would result in their losing many customers." +</p> +<p> +"If there was only some way to make them more considerate," said Faith +sadly, "and I am sure there is—I am praying for them daily." +</p> +<p> +"Dear, dear, you don't say!" said the lady, a little surprised. "Why, it +is strange that I did not think of that before, for I am accustomed to +going to the Lord with everything!" +</p> +<p> +"Oh, I am so glad to hear that!" cried Faith impetuously. "Then you will +help me to pray for the firm that employs me! It may be that God will +touch their hearts. We must do our best and then be patient." +</p> +<p> +"You are a brave young girl and a wise one," said the lady. "Many who +are much older than you have not learned that lesson." +</p> +<p> +The customers were beginning to push and crowd about the counter, so the +old lady went away to allow Faith to wait upon them. As she left the +department, Mr. Gunning bowed to her politely. +</p> +<p> +"One of our best customers," he remarked to Miss Fairbanks as he passed +her. +</p> +<p> +At luncheon time there was none of the usual laughter in the +cloak-room. The girls were all thinking of Miss Jennings and talked +almost in whispers. In a very few minutes Faith saw a young woman come +in. It was the girl who had stolen the piece of jewelry on the day of +the fire and for whom Miss Jennings had pleaded so successfully. +</p> +<p> +When Faith saw her she felt a thrill to the very tips of her fingers. It +was a thrill of thankfulness that she had not denied the dead girl's +request to show mercy to the poor sinner who had been so wronged by her +parents. +</p> +<p> +As soon as she could she walked over and stood by the girl. She was a +sallow brunette but her features were regular and delicate. +</p> +<p> +"Do you mind my talking to you a little?" Faith asked softly. "You see, +I know almost no one in the store except Miss Jennings, and now that she +is gone I am very lonely." +</p> +<p> +"Why, no, I don't mind your talking to me, why should I? I guess it +ain't necessary to wait for an introduction. Got anything in particular +you want to say to me?" +</p> +<p> +The girl's answer was prompt, but not at all unpleasant. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, no; that is, not now," said Faith very quickly. "I just want to get +acquainted. You know I could see you plainly when I was a packer and, +well, I liked your looks and that's about all there is to it." +</p> +<p> +While she was speaking, Faith was conscious of a change in the girl's +face. She was evidently trying to read her to see if there was anything +behind this desire for an acquaintance. +</p> +<p> +Faith tried to smile brightly as she looked into her eyes. She knew that +she must win this girl's friendship if she wished to help her. +</p> +<p> +"Let's sit down here," said the young woman shortly. "I like this +corner; it's lighter than the others." +</p> +<p> +They both sat down and opened their baskets, and while they hurriedly +swallowed their luncheon, they talked a little. +</p> +<p> +"My name is Faith Marvin and I have Miss Jennings' place at present at +the ribbon counter. I wrote that petition that you signed this morning. +Isn't it too bad that the firm will not grant us that sacred privilege +of accompanying our dead friend to her last resting place?" +</p> +<p> +Faith had introduced herself as well as she could, and now waited for +her companion to follow her example. +</p> +<p> +"My name is Lou Willis and I hate funerals," said the girl. "I can't see +why in the world you ever wrote that petition." +</p> +<p> +The words startled Faith; they were so sharp and unfeeling. +</p> +<p> +"Why—you signed the petition," she said after a minute. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, of course I signed it, but can't you see why, you ninny? If we get +a day off I'll go somewhere on a lark! You don't catch this chicken +attending any funerals." +</p> +<p> +Faith was so shocked this time that she could not speak, but the girl +rattled on without apparently noticing it. +</p> +<p> +"I'm not one of your milk and water Sunday school girls! If I ever get +religious at all I'll join the Salvation Army! Do you know that's a +great scheme, that Salvation Army? You get six dollars a week and your +husband picked out for you. Really, that's a great inducement, Marvin, +when you come to think of it! I'd never be able to pick out a husband +myself. I'm what they call too—too—oh—you know—fickle!" +</p> +<p> +Faith forgot to eat, she was so astonished. This was a type of woman +that she had never dreamed of. Was she joking or serious? Faith could +not decide. As she sat pondering and staring, her companion went on +talking calmly. +</p> +<p> +"That Maggie Brady has it in for you, they tell me—but say, for +goodness sake, how did you manage to cut her out with Jim Denton? Why, +he's been sweet on Mag for at least three months, and that's a long time +for Jim. I really began to think he was serious." +</p> +<p> +She paused to take a mouthful of bread and butter, so Faith attempted to +speak. The words came slowly, for she was a little uncertain how to say +them. "I am sorry if Miss Brady does not like me, I am sure. But you are +wrong, Miss Willis. I have not 'cut her out' with Mr. Denton. On the +contrary, I have never spoken to the young man but once, and that was +yesterday, when he suggested that I write that petition." +</p> +<p> +"But he sent you a package to-day," said the girl, staring. "He must be +badly smitten to be sending presents in such a hurry." +</p> +<p> +"It was only a box of candy," said Faith, hastily. "I gave it to one of +the cash girls. I don't understand what made him send it." +</p> +<p> +"You must be silly if you don't," said the girl, laughing harshly. +</p> +<p> +At just that instant Maggie Brady passed close by them, and Miss Willis +seeing her, raised her voice a little. +</p> +<p> +"Why, he is in love with you, of course," she said, with one eye on +Maggie. "If he wasn't he wouldn't be sending you boxes of candy." +</p> +<p> +"Hush!" cried Faith. "You are cruel! How could you, Miss Willis!" +</p> +<p> +For answer the girl broke into peals of laughter. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, I just love Mag Brady—that's why I said it I Can't you see for +yourself how much I love her?" +</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<a name="CH20"><!-- CH20 --></a> +<h2> + CHAPTER XX. +</h2> + +<h3> +ANOTHER TALK WITH JAMES DENTON. +</h3> +<p> </p> +<p> +Poor Faith was driven to desperation now. Here was a situation far +beyond her wisdom. +</p> +<p> +That the girl was a petty thief amounted to almost nothing beside her +viciousness and animosity toward her fellow beings. +</p> +<p> +Faith was sorely puzzled over what to say, and while she was trying to +collect her scattered wits Miss Willis poured out a little more of her +venom. +</p> +<p> +"If there's a girl in this place I hate it's Mag Brady," she said +candidly, "and she knows it, you bet! I haven't tried to conceal it! I'm +different from Mag, I hit straight out from the shoulder! She's a sneak +and a coward; she'll wait till it's dark before she fights you! You see +you haven't been out in the world long enough to read people yet, but I +have, I'm a regular veteran in the army of evil." +</p> +<p> +She laughed loudly as she finished, as though her words were highly +amusing. To be experienced in the ways of evil seemed to her to be the +highest possible recommendation. +</p> +<p> +"I hope I shall never know any more about sin than I do now," said Faith +soberly, "but really, I seem to be learning more and more every day." +</p> +<p> +"It won't hurt you," responded her companion patronizingly. "You've got +to hold your own, you know; if you don't you go to the bottom. The world +is full of sharks and so is this store. The sooner you find it out the +better it will be for you." +</p> +<p> +Faith saw that the girl was growing serious now. What she said was +intended to be for Faith's good; whether it was good advice or not, it +was the best she had to offer. +</p> +<p> +"Hello!" cried Miss Willis suddenly. "Do my eyes deceive me, or is that +really a plumber that I see over in that corner?" +</p> +<p> +She raised her voice so that every one heard her, and a clerk in the +opposite corner made haste to answer her: +</p> +<p> +"That's what it is all right, Lou, a real, live plumber! The Board of +Health has come to its senses at last, and, thanks to that Government +Inspector, we are going to have some 'modern improvements.'" +</p> +<p> +"I hope we'll have basins enough to go around," cried another voice, +"and perhaps there'll be an occasional glimpse of a really clean towel." +</p> +<p> +"Oh, you mustn't expect too much," answered the plumber, laughing. "I +only got orders to do a little puttering. It's just a bluff they are +chucking; it won't cost them much if nothin'." +</p> +<p> +"Which means that you can't get rich all at once!" cried Miss Willis, +grinning. "Well, I'm sorry you can't squeeze a fairly good sum out of +our nice, generous employers." +</p> +<p> +Faith went back to her counter, feeling sad at heart. She was beginning +to question the wisdom of her mercy toward Miss Willis. +</p> +<p> +"I don't believe that anything would ever change her heart," she +whispered to herself, and then a great wave of shame swept over her as +she felt that she had questioned the power of the Almighty. +</p> +<p> +She stepped behind the counter just in time to see Miss Fairbanks +changing the prices on a lot of special ribbons, but before she could +ask any questions Miss Jones came up to her. +</p> +<p> +"There's a milliner in this block who is selling those same ribbons for +fifty cents a yard," she said, "and of course, Denton, Day & Co. are not +going to stand that; they are going to undercut her in everything until +they break up her business. You see, if we sell them for thirty-nine +cents, she'll have to come down, which will mean that she'll lose a +whole lot of money." +</p> +<p> +"But won't Denton, Day & Co. be losing money, too?" asked Faith. She was +a little too green to quite see the logic of this action. +</p> +<p> +"Not a cent," was the somewhat surprising answer. "You see, they buy in +such large quantities that they get it cheaper than she does; but even +if they didn't, they could still make it up on some other goods, while +she, poor soul, has no way of squaring her losses." +</p> +<p> +Faith's eyes opened wide as she listened to this explanation. +</p> +<p> +"That is exactly what they did with my father," she said slowly. "They +undercut his prices so that he could not sell his books, then when his +bills came due he could not pay them. Oh, the thing is perfectly +horrible, Miss Jones! That poor, poor milliner! Oh, how I pity her!" +</p> +<p> +Miss Jones had listened with considerable surprise. It was the first she +had heard of Faith's personal grievance against the company. +</p> +<p> +Things moved along quietly after that, and Faith was kept very busy, but +through the whole afternoon she was thinking of that ribbon. Every time +a roll of it was sold a weight seemed added to her burdens. When she was +obliged to sell it herself she felt that she was personally perpetrating +a wrong on the milliner. +</p> +<p> +It was a terrible day, taken altogether, for so much misery and anxiety +were crowded into it that she felt ten years older when the gong sounded +for closing. +</p> +<p> +"Can you tell me what hospital Mr. Watkins was taken to, dear?" she +asked of one of the little cash girls whom she had heard talking in the +morning. +</p> +<p> +"Don't know," said the child. "I didn't hear. But he's pretty near dead, +I guess, and his brother is a thief. He—" +</p> +<p> +"Hush, child!" cried Faith, quickly. "Don't talk about that, please! It +can't do any good, and—and perhaps some one has been mistaken! It's +better to say nothing! until one knows for sure. Poor Mr. Watkins! He is +indeed in sore trouble!" +</p> +<p> +"Mr. Watkins is resting very comfortably, Miss Marvin," said a voice +just behind her. She turned around quickly and confronted young Denton. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, have you seen him?" asked Faith, in genuine delight. +</p> +<p> +"I just dropped in at the office; they wouldn't let me see him," was +the answer; "but I learned that there was a chance for him—he was what +they call 'comfortable.'" +</p> +<p> +"I am glad to hear that," said Faith, moving slowly away. They had been +standing at the head of the stairs which led down to the cloak-room, and +she expected every minute that Maggie Brady would see them. +</p> +<p> +"Don't go just yet, Miss Marvin," urged Mr. Denton, hastily. "I've just +arranged about that funeral; it is to be to-morrow evening." +</p> +<p> +"Where?" asked Faith softly. +</p> +<p> +"At the undertaker's," was the answer. "He has a private room for just +such purposes. He will bury her the next morning." +</p> +<p> +"That will be better than I thought," said Faith, very slowly. "I will +tell all the girls I know and ask them to tell the others." +</p> +<p> +"Here's the programme or whatever you choose to call it," said Mr. +Denton, sneering a little. "The firm got ahead of us this time, Miss +Marvin." +</p> +<p> +He held out an evening paper as he spoke so that Faith could see it. +</p> +<p> +With a cry of horror the young girl read the headline. It was a regular +"scare head," reaching across two full columns: "Denton, Day & Co.'s +Generosity to an Employee!" "A Poor Girl's Funeral That Will Cost the +Firm a Large Sum of Money!" +</p> +<p> +"How's that for hypocrisy?" asked the young man, still sneering. "I say, +Miss Marvin, how would you like to be the child of such a father?" +</p> +<p> +For the first time in her life Faith could not rebuke disrespect. In +spite of herself she could not help sympathizing with the sentiments of +the young fellow. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, it is terrible!" she whispered in a heart-broken voice. "Poor Miss +Jennings would rather have been buried in 'Potter's Field,' I really +believe, than under such conditions!" +</p> +<p> +"Well, I'm mighty disgusted," said young Denton, bitterly, "although I'm +sure I don't know what's got into me to care about it!" +</p> +<p> +"I guess you never knew just how you felt before," said Faith sweetly. +"Sometimes it takes a shock of some kind to bring us to our senses." +</p> +<p> +"Well, I'm shocked all right," said young Denton, quickly. "Why, when +dad told me about that dying girl saying so distinctly that she forgave +him, it went through me like a knife! Cut me up worse, I believe, than +it did the Governor!" +</p> +<p> +"Did it really disturb your father?" asked Faith, very eagerly. +</p> +<p> +"I should say it did!" remarked Mr. Denton, soberly. "Why, the man can't +eat nor sleep! I believe her spirit is haunting him!" +</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<a name="CH21"><!-- CH21 --></a> +<h2> + CHAPTER XXI. +</h2> + +<h3> +A CHANGE IN MR. DENTON. +</h3> +<p> </p> +<p> +"Well, Hardy what have you found out about the Watkins family? Something +satisfactory, I hope!" +</p> +<p> +Mr. Forbes spoke to the detective with unusual good nature. +</p> +<p> +But Hardy closed the office door and advanced to the desk where the +superintendent was sitting. +</p> +<p> +"On the contrary, sir; I have found things very unsatisfactory," was his +answer. "Watkins is in the hospital, half dead from brain fever, his +mother is a feeble old woman without a penny, and as for that young +scamp who stole your money, he's among the missing—he's vamoosed +entirely!" +</p> +<p> +"Well, why don't you find him?" asked Mr. Forbes, a little less +pleasantly. "That's what I told you to do! Didn't you understand my +orders?" +</p> +<p> +"I haven't had time to find him," muttered the detective, sullenly. +"He's been spirited away. I think he's out of the city." +</p> +<p> +"So you see no way of getting back that three hundred dollars. Well, +there's got to be a way! We can't afford to lose it!" +</p> +<p> +"Lose what?" asked Mr. Denton, coming in just then. +</p> +<p> +Mr. Forbes hastily repeated the detective's information. +</p> +<p> +"You say the mother is penniless and young Watkins critically ill? Well, +I should think that was trouble enough for one family," said Mr. Denton +slowly. "Mr. Forbes, it is my wish that you should stop right here! I +wish you to drop the matter of the money completely." +</p> +<p> +"What!" +</p> +<p> +Mr. Forbes wheeled around in his chair and stared at his partner. +</p> +<p> +"I mean it," said Mr, Denton, "and, what is more, I command it! As +senior partner of this firm I expect my orders to be respected!" +</p> +<p> +Mr. Forbes made a heroic effort at self-control. When he could trust +his voice he attempted to answer. +</p> +<p> +"Perhaps you have forgotten, Mr. Denton, that we are drawing on our +funds very heavily this week. There are those alterations in the +basement to satisfy the Board of Health and two hundred dollars for that +Miss Jennings' funeral. Neither of these expenses would have been +incurred if I had not been absent so much of late; but is it wise, do +you think, to add to these the three hundred that Sam Watkins robbed us +of?" +</p> +<p> +Mr. Denton seemed to ignore the last half of the sentence. His mind was +dwelling upon the other things mentioned. +</p> +<p> +"What I have not forgotten, Mr. Forbes, is this," he said, quietly: +"That funeral that you speak of has given us one of the biggest free +'ads.' that this firm has ever enjoyed. Why, the space it occupies in +one paper alone is worth at least a thousand dollars! And, so far as the +alterations are concerned—well, I have just ordered them stopped. I'm +going to close up that room to employees altogether!" +</p> +<p> +If the sky had fallen Mr. Forbes could not have been any more surprised. +Even the hardened detective almost gasped in astonishment. +</p> +<p> +"But you have no right to do this," growled Mr. Forbes. "You should +consult your partners in such matters, Mr. Denton." +</p> +<p> +Mr. Denton smiled grimly at the angry man's words. +</p> +<p> +"You are partners, nominally, yes," he said slowly, "but I hardly think +it would pay either you or Mr. Day to oppose me." +</p> +<p> +His words were very true, as Mr. Forbes well knew. Both he and Mr. Day +were deeply indebted to their senior partner. He "owned them body and +soul," as many persons would express it. +</p> +<p> +"I have been doing a lot of thinking in the past two days, Mr. Forbes," +went on Mr. Denton, "but as you would hardly appreciate my sentiments, I +will keep my thoughts to myself a little longer. Here, Hardy, you are +excused from the Watkins affair! Go back to your duties in the store, +and see that you are very careful not to annoy any innocent persons." +</p> +<p> +Bob Hardy made his way out of the office almost in a daze. He had been +in the service of the store ever since it was opened, but such +instructions as these meant a brand-new departure. +</p> +<p> +"I wonder what the deuce has got into him, anyway," he muttered. "He +talks like a man that's got struck with religion!" +</p> +<p> +As he walked slowly down the stairs to the first floor of the building +he met a brother detective, who stared at him curiously. +</p> +<p> +"What's the matter, Hardy? Look's if you'd had a shock! Been havin' a +set-to with old Forbes, I'll bet a dollar!" +</p> +<p> +"You're wrong," was Hardy's answer. "It was the old man this time. +There's something wrong with the boss. I think he's getting religion!" +</p> +<p> +"Get out! You don't mean it!" said the other fellow, contemptuously. +</p> +<p> +"Don't I?" said Hardy. "Well, you just listen to this!" +</p> +<p> +He repeated the conversation that had just taken place in the +superintendent's office. +</p> +<p> +"Whew! That does sound like it!" said his companion, whose name was Ben +Tyler. "He's off his trolley completely, especially about the money!" +</p> +<p> +"Well, that makes two trow-downs I've got this week," said Hardy, +sourly, "but I got the fifty from that masher that I was telling you +about! You remember, the swell that calls himself Captain Deering?" +</p> +<p> +"Yes, I remember," laughed Tyler. "So he caught his bird, did he, or, +rather, you caught her for him!" +</p> +<p> +"I guess it worked all right," said Hardy, slowly. "He met her and +talked with her, and that's usually enough. Still, he was glum as an +oyster when he gave me the money." +</p> +<p> +"Mr. Hardy," called a voice at the foot of the stairs. "Come down, +quick; you are wanted! There's a shop-lifter over in the hosiery +department!" +</p> +<p> +Mr. Hardy stopped long enough to hear the words, then he made his way +directly to the department mentioned. +</p> +<p> +He paused at the counter and began examining some goods, and as he did +so one of the clerks came up to him as though she expected to wait on +him. +</p> +<p> +"Is this the one?" muttered the detective under his breath, at the same +time making a slight motion toward the woman. +</p> +<p> +"Can't say," whispered the clerk. "I just missed the goods. There were +six pairs of hose—they all went together." +</p> +<p> +Hardy glanced again at the woman, whose face was drawn and haggard. She +was by far the poorest customer at the counter. +</p> +<p> +"'Taint's no use tacklin' them others," he whispered to the clerk, "for +if I ever nabbed a rich one she'd make things lively for me—but I guess +it's the poor one that's got 'em, anyway." +</p> +<p> +"She looks desperate," answered the clerk, leaning over the counter. +"And, you know, she could sell 'em and make a little something." +</p> +<p> +Hardy nodded knowingly, with his keen glance still on the woman. As she +moved slowly away from the counter he followed her at a distance. +</p> +<p> +Five minutes later she had reached the ribbon department. As she stopped +at the counter Faith went forward to wait on her. +</p> +<p> +"I would like a yard of white ribbon, miss," said the poor woman +timidly. "This cheap ribbon, please, for I haven't much money. It's to +go on the shroud of a poor dead neighbor." +</p> +<p> +Faith measured the ribbon quickly and made out a check. As she turned +for the woman's money she smiled at her pleasantly. +</p> +<p> +The next moment Bob Hardy stepped forward and tapped the woman on the +shoulder. +</p> +<p> +"You are wanted in the office, madam," he said, very rudely. "You've +been stealing goods in the store, and have got them in your pocket!" +</p> +<p> +With a cry of terror the poor woman looked up into his face. +</p> +<p> +"It is false!" she cried wildly. "I never stole a penny's worth in my +life! Oh, miss, don't let him touch me! I'm an honest woman!" +</p> +<p> +In a second Faith darted from her place behind the counter. When she +reached the aisle she threw her arms around the woman. +</p> +<p> +"Stand back, Bob Hardy! Don't you dare to touch her!" she cried, +sharply. "Are you so blinded with wickedness that you can't see she is +honest?" +</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<a name="CH22"><!-- CH22 --></a> +<h2> + CHAPTER XXII. +</h2> + +<h3> +THE BEGINNING OF THE HARVEST. +</h3> +<p> </p> +<p> +As Faith wrapped her arms around the woman Mr. Denton appeared in the +department. He was just in time to hear her ringing question. +</p> +<p> +There were a dozen or more customers standing around the counters, and +they all stood staring in wide-eyed astonishment. +</p> +<p> +Mr. Denton saw that something must be done at once. It would never do to +have a scene like this in the store, for, besides stopping business, it +was productive of mischief. +</p> +<p> +In an instant he realized that he had to deal with Faith, for the woman +was clinging to the girl and imploring her protection. +</p> +<p> +He went forward at once and spoke as calmly as possible. +</p> +<p> +"Take her up to the office, Miss Marvin, and quiet her if you can. She +shall not be harmed. I have no doubt she is innocent." +</p> +<p> +"And I know she isn't," blurted out Hardy, angrily. He was frantic to +think that the woman might escape him. +</p> +<p> +"Well, whether she is or not, she will be treated kindly," said Mr. +Denton. "So use your power to make her go quietly, Miss Marvin." +</p> +<p> +As he said these words he looked straight at Faith, and the thankfulness +in her eyes repaid him in an instant. +</p> +<p> +"Come, my friend," she said sweetly. "Come with me to the office. There +is nothing to be afraid of. You will only have to prove your innocence." +</p> +<p> +The woman checked her sobs and went willingly. Faith's manner had calmed +her fears in great measure. Mr. Hardy followed them to make his +accusations, and Mr. Denton led them all to his own private office. As +soon as they were there a woman detective was sent for, and the +supposed shop-lifter was taken behind a screen and searched thoroughly. +</p> +<p> +While this was being done Faith was bursting with indignation. +</p> +<p> +"Just think of an innocent person being subjected to such an outrage!" +she cried. "Oh, Mr. Denton, is there not some other way to do this?" +</p> +<p> +"I wish there was," said that gentleman shortly, "for our detective's +mistakes have already cost us several thousand dollars." +</p> +<p> +"I don't wonder," said Faith. "A woman could hardly forgive such an +insult, but your detective is capable of far worse, Mr. Denton; he is a +very wicked man. I think it is my duty to denounce him." +</p> +<p> +If a thunder-bolt had fallen at his feet Hardy could hardly have been +more astonished. He had not dreamed that the timid girl would dare tell +what he had done, particularly as she had acquiesced, as he supposed, in +his vile suggestion. +</p> +<p> +Mr. Denton glanced at her sharply, but she did not quail, although her +cheeks were scarlet over the unpleasant remembrance. +</p> +<p> +"Eh! What has Hardy done? Tell me at once, Miss Marvin. You will never +have a better time than when he is present to hear you." +</p> +<p> +"Oh, I would never tell it behind his back," said Faith. "I always deal +fairly and squarely, even with my enemies." +</p> +<p> +As she spoke, she looked Hardy steadily in the eye. He saw that she +would treat him justly, but with no mercy. It was a difficult matter for +Faith to tell her tale, but she did it in a way that was absolutely +convincing. +</p> +<p> +"And, oh, Mr. Denton," she cried in conclusion, "is it not enough that +we girls have to work so hard without being subjected to such vile, +unspeakable horrors?" +</p> +<p> +Mr. Denton put his hands to his temples and pressed them hard for a +moment. The girl's words had overwhelmed him with the full sense of his +negligence. +</p> +<p> +To be able to prevent all or many of these evils and then to be +indifferent, thoughtless, neglectful. It had all come to him at +once—while the girl was speaking, just as the first tinge of remorse +had come when Miss Jennings was dying. +</p> +<p> +Hardy was standing like a statue, his face purple with anger. It was +useless for him to speak. He was convicted without evidence. +</p> +<p> +Mr. Denton had not replied when the poor woman was led out. She had been +searched thoroughly by the woman detective, but there were no stolen +goods about her. +</p> +<p> +"That settles it, Hardy. You can go," said Mr. Denton wearily. "The +cashier will pay you. I am done with your services." +</p> +<p> +"Oh no!" +</p> +<p> +Faith gave utterance to a pitiful cry. Hardy turned and glared at her a +second and then left the office. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, I did not mean to get him discharged," groaned Faith. "Perhaps a +little more mercy would have been far better." +</p> +<p> +"He deserves no mercy," said Mr. Denton, shortly. There was a decision +in his words that was quite contrary to his nature. +</p> +<p> +The poor woman slipped away thankfully with a grateful smile at Faith, +and she was left alone with Mr. Denton. It was the moment she had been +praying for, and Faith did not intend to lose it Without a moment's +hesitation she spoke softly to her employer. +</p> +<p> +"Please, Mr. Denton, may I say a few words more? They are not busy +downstairs. I am sure they'll not need me." +</p> +<p> +"Say what you wish," was the answer, and Faith hurried on. Her very soul +was on her lips as the words fell from them. +</p> +<p> +"There are so many things that might be done to improve the conditions +for the girls—so much that would add to their happiness and comfort! +And it would not take a penny from their sales, either, sir, for surely +a clerk that is well and satisfied with her surroundings will be far +more courteous to her customers as well as more loyal to her employers. +If they could only sit down and rest now and then! It is awful to stand +so many long hours. We grow faint and sick, and our backs ache +terribly. Why, I have only been in the store a few days, yet last night +I could not sleep, I was so lame and weary." +</p> +<p> +She paused for breath, and then hurried on. Mr. Denton had turned his +face away, but was listening intently. +</p> +<p> +"There are all sorts and kinds of girls in the store, Mr. Denton; some +are good and pure, while others are reckless and even vicious. Poor +things, they have nothing behind them but memories of sorrow, and there +is nothing ahead of them but hard work and trouble. It seems to me God +never meant us to have it so hard—if He had He would have made our +nerves and our muscles stronger. I think he meant us to do our share of +work in the world, but he made men to protect us from the real drudgery +of life, whether they were our fathers, brothers, husbands or employers. +Of course, I am only a child in years, but it has all been forced upon +me by a single week in the store. I have seen more sorrow in three days +than I ever dreamed of, and I am praying night and day to be able to +relieve it." +</p> +<p> +She came to a dead stop with the tears choking her voice. The next +instant Mr. Denton rose and patted her on the shoulder. +</p> +<p> +"Bless you, child, you have shown me my duty at last!" he said, +hoarsely. "I have neglected it long enough, but, with the help of God, I +will neglect it no longer." +</p> +<p> +Faith gave a cry of joy as she heard the words. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, my prayers have been answered, dear Mr. Denton!" she cried. "I have +been begging God to let me be His torch-bearer on earth, to carry the +light into the dark places where it is so much needed, to banish with +its glow all the shadows of evil!" +</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<a name="CH23"><!-- CH23 --></a> +<h2> + CHAPTER XXIII. +</h2> + +<h3> +MISS JENNINGS' FUNERAL. +</h3> +<p> </p> +<p> +The rest of the day passed very pleasantly to Faith. She was so +over-joyed at Mr. Denton's expressions in the morning that it seemed as +if nothing could depress her spirits. The "peace that passeth +understanding," had come into her heart, and even Maggie Brady's glances +of hatred failed to cause her more than a passing sorrow. +</p> +<p> +That evening she hurried home, and had tea with her mother; then, taking +little Dick between them, they went to the undertaker's establishment to +be present at the funeral of Miss Jennings. As they reached the place +Faith was surprised to see Mr. Day. He was standing on the steps talking +to two young men, whose appearance indicated that they were newspaper +reporters. +</p> +<p> +Both Faith and her mother were heavily veiled, and as they mounted the +steps it was apparent to Faith that she was not recognized by her +employer. As they passed she heard him speaking in a most affable +manner. There were only a few words, but they made Faith shudder. +</p> +<p> +"We hope this sad occurrence will prove beneficial to our employees," he +said blandly, "for they are apt to be thoughtless in religious matters." +</p> +<p> +"Did you hear that, mother?" Faith whispered the question softly. +</p> +<p> +"He's a hypocrite," answered her mother, with a moan of horror. "Just +think, Faith, he is one of the men who ruined your father." +</p> +<p> +The room in which the casket lay was well filled with young women, but +not half of their faces were familiar to Faith, although she concluded +rightfully that they had all known Miss Jennings. +</p> +<p> +"Can you sing, miss?" asked a gentleman in black whom Faith saw at once +was the undertaker. "I have secured a minister, but they did not allow +me for singers." +</p> +<p> +"I'll try," said Faith, with a sob in her throat. "I can sing some of +the Moody and Sankey hymns if you think they will be suitable." +</p> +<p> +"One will do," said the gentleman. "Sing it right after the prayer. I +expect the others will all join in if you select a familiar one." +</p> +<p> +Faith nodded her head and looked around the room again. She soon saw +Miss Fairbanks, Miss Jones and one or two others with whom she had +spoken during her brief period of service. Mr. Gibson came in just then +with another reporter. The young man was taking down in shorthand what +Mr. Gibson told him. +</p> +<p> +"It is the first death that has ever occurred in the store, and +consequently the firm is much distressed over it," said Mr. Gibson. +"They are remarkably considerate of their employees, and this poor girl +was a consumptive; she was ill when we hired her." +</p> +<p> +"Do you pay all the expenses?" asked the reporter, without looking up. +</p> +<p> +"Certainly, certainly!" said Mr. Gibson. "The firm is extremely generous +in all such matters." +</p> +<p> +The reporter left just as the minister entered. It was apparent that for +some reason Mr. Gibson intended to remain as representative of the firm. +</p> +<p> +Poor little Dick cried miserably for the first few minutes, but he +finally fell asleep on Mrs. Marvin's bosom. +</p> +<p> +After the clergyman had spoken a few simple words, and offered a fervent +prayer, there was a moment of solemn, breathless silence. Some one +entered softly. It was Mr. Denton. Faith had no opportunity to look at +his face, for Mr. Davis, the undertaker, signaled her that it was time +for the hymn. +</p> +<p> +Almost without realizing it the young girl rose and went over to the +coffin. As she caught sight of the dead girl's face she seemed to +receive an inspiration direct from heaven. +</p> +<p> +Her voice was a soft, sweet contralto, and had been carefully trained. +As she sounded the first note the silence in the room seemed deeper than +ever. Not a voice joined in to help her with the hymn, for the girls +were all spell-bound at such unexpected music. +</p> +<p> +With her eyes bent lovingly on her dead friend's face, Faith finished +the verse of the hymn she had selected, but as she reached the refrain +she raised her eyes beseechingly, and her glance fell directly upon the +bowed head of Mr. Denton. +</p> +<pre> + "It profiteth nothing, and fearful the cost + To gain the Whole world if thy soul shall be lost—" +</pre> +<p> +The words rang from her lips like the peal of a bell. There was prayer, +supplication, eagerness in every intonation. +</p> +<p> +As the last note died away several of the girls burst out crying, and +Mr. Denton raised his head and looked at her. +</p> +<p> +Faith took her seat calmly. The inspiration had not left her. She felt +lifted up in soul into a higher atmosphere, where there was no pain or +sorrow—only tenderness and rejoicing. +</p> +<p> +The rest followed swiftly. The last farewell to the departed; with poor +Dick moaning and sobbing, the ladies turned their footsteps homeward. +</p> +<p> +Faith caught a glimpse of Mr. Denton walking rapidly down the street. +The next moment she heard her name spoken, and turned to greet Miss +Dean, the store inspector. +</p> +<p> +"Am I too late?" asked Miss Dean, extending her hand cordially. "I was +detained at the last moment. I intended being present at the funeral." +</p> +<p> +"I am sorry you were not," said Faith sincerely, then, after introducing +her mother and little Dick, she made an eager communication. +</p> +<p> +"I really believe, Miss Dean, that poor Mary's death has accomplished +great things! I am sure that Mr. Denton has felt it keenly, and that her +dying words have awakened his sleeping conscience." +</p> +<p> +Miss Dean looked surprised, but did not reply, so Faith went on to tell +why she thought so. +</p> +<p> +After she had related her conversation with Mr. Denton in the morning, +the lady suddenly put her hand on her arm and looked at her searchingly. +</p> +<p> +"If you have accomplished that, you have indeed worked a miracle," she +said, decidedly; "but deeds speak louder than words. We shall see how +Mr. Denton puts his conversation into practice." +</p> +<p> +"Oh, that's it," said Mrs. Marvin, quickly. "Practice and precept are +quite different things. Why, those men are all church members, do you +know, Miss Dean; yet see how little their religion is allowed to +influence their lives. It seems as if it was kept only for funerals and +Sundays." +</p> +<p> +"That has been my observation in nearly every instance," said Miss Dean, +slowly. "I have often said that if I could see a conscientious Christian +I would be willing to give up some of my present theories." +</p> +<p> +"Do tell us one of your theories," said Mrs. Marvin. "I, too, am very +bitter against hypocrisy in the church. I shall be glad if some one else +feels the same as I do, for my daughter is constantly reproving me for +my distrust and bitterness." +</p> +<p> +"Well, for one thing," said Miss Dean, "I think religion impracticable. +No person can follow Christ and succeed in any line of business." +</p> +<p> +"I agree with you," exclaimed Mrs. Marvin, promptly. "The principles of +Christianity oppose success at every turn. To be Christ-like one must +always be poor, always weak and, consequently, always downtrodden." +</p> +<p> +"Your daughter does not believe that," said Miss Dean, smiling. +</p> +<p> +Faith was so in earnest when she answered that she stopped on the +sidewalk and faced them. +</p> +<p> +"Is there any success greater than this," she asked, eagerly, "to earn +those precious words from the lips of our Saviour, 'Well done, thou good +and faithful servant,' and to receive at the end of life that joy +everlasting that is promised to those who follow Him, even though they +bear the cross of worldly failure?" +</p> +<p> +Miss Dean stared at the young girl in honest admiration. While she +questioned her reasoning, she almost envied her. If a simple faith was +so satisfying it was certainly worth having, but to natures like hers +this simple faith was impossible. +</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<a name="CH24"><!-- CH24 --></a> +<h2> + CHAPTER XXIV. +</h2> + +<h3> +MR. DENTON'S ULTIMATUM. +</h3> +<p> </p> +<p> +When Mr. Denton left that scene of sorrow in which Faith Marvin had just +played so sweet a role, he could not possibly have described his +tumultuous feelings. Not a night since that sad death in the cloak-room +had he been able to sleep peacefully, and even by day his thoughts were +sorely disturbed. It was, as his son had said, as though the spirit of +Miss Jennings was haunting him. +</p> +<p> +He was not a bad-hearted man by any means, but, like hundreds of others, +he thought only of his own interests and those of his wife and son, who +were very dear to him. Out of his own station in life he rarely looked, +and the question of equal rights never presented itself to him +seriously. +</p> +<p> +Now, however, something had taken possession of him which he could not +understand. He was beginning to meditate upon the rights of others. +</p> +<p> +As he hurried home after those brief moments at the undertaker's, he +went over the scenes of the last few days, trying to determine the +causes which led to his perturbation of spirit. +</p> +<p> +First and foremost in his mind was the conversation with the Government +Inspector just before the death of Miss Jennings. She had taken him +seriously to task about the condition of the store, and her words had +stung him; they were so earnest and truthful. At the very moment of his +entrance to the cloak-room he was mentally censuring himself for his +almost criminal thoughtlessness for the consideration of others. +</p> +<p> +Then came the dying words and the glance of those death-glazed eyes. He +shuddered even now when he recalled them so vividly. +</p> +<p> +Since then the awakening of his conscience had come, he had seen +himself exactly as he was, a traitor to himself, to humanity, and to his +God, and the sight filled him with remorse. He was shamed and repentant. +</p> +<p> +What to do next, was the question of his soul. He could not undo the +past, but, thank God, there was still a present and a future! +</p> +<p> +He paced the floor of his library long after his wife and son were in +bed, but the next morning at breakfast he told them his decision. +</p> +<p> +Mrs. Denton was a vain woman, who thought of little but the fashions, +and whose time was nearly always taken up with what she termed her +"social obligations." +</p> +<p> +Her husband's serious words had the effect of frightening her badly. She +looked at him anxiously, as though she feared he had gone crazy. +</p> +<p> +With young Denton it was different. He was thoroughly astonished and +amazed. It was the first time in his life that he had ever heard a word +from his father's lips that was not freighted with the so-called wisdom +of worldliness. +</p> +<p> +"I have been blind to my duties and opportunities at the store," said +Mr. Denton, in conclusion. "I have been too much occupied with the +making and saving of money to bestow a thought upon the higher duties +that lay directly in my path—the aiding and protecting of my fellow +beings." +</p> +<p> +"Well, you'll have your hands full, dad, if you help them all," said +young Denton when he had recovered a little from his surprise. "I think +you ought to do many things differently, of course, but you'll bankrupt +yourself if you shoulder all their burdens." +</p> +<p> +His father did not answer. He was thinking seriously. An hour later he +was at the field of action, filled with the righteous determination to +do his duty. +</p> +<p> +Mr. Day sat in his office when his partner entered. He was busy with one +of the "buyers," so Mr. Denton stood still and listened. +</p> +<p> +A large pile of "ready-made" garments lay upon a convenient table, and +as the buyer talked, he held them up for examination. +</p> +<p> +"I find I can get this grade of goods from a man named Finckelstein for +ten cents less per garment than I have been getting them from Goldberg. +They are very well made, and the quality is satisfactory. No one will +ever guess that they are not exactly what we advertise. I ordered this +lot for closer inspection. If they are satisfactory to you, sir, I will +give him a stock order." +</p> +<p> +Mr. Day mused a little before he replied. Meanwhile he was fingering the +garments in a critical manner. +</p> +<p> +"Umph! Isn't there a peculiar odor about these garments, Smith?" he +asked, after a minute. "I am sure there is! Really, I wish you hadn't +brought them in here!" +</p> +<p> +"I will take them away immediately, sir," said the buyer, +apologetically. "They were made in a 'sweatshop,' you see, so it is +quite possible they are permeated with unpleasant odors, but I will have +them aired before they are put on the counters." +</p> +<p> +"Are you sure they are not permeated with disease?" asked Mr. Denton, +suddenly. "I am told that those 'sweat-shops' are disgustingly dirty +places." +</p> +<p> +"Oh, the Board of Health looks after that," said the buyer quickly, +"and, besides, I saw a good many of Finckelstein's hands—they were +mostly clean, respectable looking women." +</p> +<p> +"How much do they get apiece for these?" questioned Mr. Denton again, as +he picked up a garment and held it at arm's length to inspect it. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, about forty cents, I guess; and they can make two in a day. There's +a good deal of work on them," was the buyer's answer. +</p> +<p> +"What do they cost us?" +</p> +<p> +The question was asked rather sharply. +</p> +<p> +Mr. Smith consulted his notebook before he answered. +</p> +<p> +"Fifty cents in gross lots, and sixty by the dozen. We use a great many; +it will ruin Goldberg to lose us." +</p> +<p> +"And what do we get for them?" +</p> +<p> +Mr. Denton was reaching for the price tag now. His brow was almost black +as he asked the question. +</p> +<p> +Mr. Smith looked at him anxiously—he could not quite comprehend him. +</p> +<p> +"Two dollars, sir," he answered, smiling—"and they sell like hot +cakes. It's the grade of goods that yields us the best profit." +</p> +<p> +Mr. Denton dropped the garment with a look of horror in his face. +</p> +<p> +"Take the things away," he said shortly, "and, see here, Smith, don't +order any more goods from any of those 'sweat-shops!' I won't have +another dollar's worth of them in the building!" +</p> +<p> +The buyer looked amazed, while Mr. Day turned almost purple. +</p> +<p> +"We make an average of three hundred per cent on every garment, and we +have contracts with some 'sweat-shops' or other for a dozen grades of +clothing!" +</p> +<p> +"We'll buy them off them at a good round sum; then you hear what I +say—no more 'sweat-shops,' Mr. Smith!" was the calm reply. +</p> +<p> +The buyer bundled up his goods and hurried out of the office. His +employer's decision nearly took his breath away. +</p> +<p> +"Are you crazy, Denton?" cried Mr. Day, as soon as the door was closed. +"Is it possible that you have lost your senses completely?" +</p> +<p> +"On the contrary, Mr. Day," was the serious answer. "The truth is, I +have only just come to my senses." +</p> +<p> +He went over and put his finger on an electric button. +</p> +<p> +"Tell Mr. Forbes to come in here," he said to the boy who answered, then +he drew three chairs close together, and sat down in one of them. +</p> +<p> +When Mr. Forbes entered the office it was very plain that he was angry. +His features were darkened by a frown that was, to say the least, +forbidding. Without even noticing his expression Mr. Denton offered him +a chair and then started in to make some astonishing statements. +</p> +<p> +"Gentlemen," he said, distinctly, "I have a confession to make. I have +already made it to my God, and to my family; it is now fitting and +necessary that I make it to my partners. To be as brief as possible, my +confession is this: While I have succeeded admirably in laying up +treasure on earth, I have woefully failed in laying up treasure in +heaven. While I have done my duty from a worldly point of view, by my +wife and family, I have been persistently injuring many hundreds of my +fellow beings, and showing no consideration whatever for their moral or +physical welfare. I thank God that at last I have been led to see the +error of my ways, and that there is still time for me to undo in some +measure what I have done, and to make amends for the past in the present +and future. Now, what concerns you in this confession, firstly, is this: +As senior member and three-fourths owner in the firm of Denton, Day & +Co., I am about to assume the responsibility of its business, and to +introduce new methods in its various systems which I have every reason +to believe will not meet with your approval. To be absolutely fair and +square, I will tell you what a few of these changes will be. I cannot +tell them all, because that would be impossible. They will develop day +by day as the necessity arises and confronts me. If it is possible I +shall run this store in future on a Christian basis, or, in other words, +on the basis of physical and moral justice, and whether the experiment +proves disastrous or successful, I shall follow it to the end. I shall +sink or swim as the Lord permits me." +</p> +<p> +As he finished, he looked calmly at the faces of his two partners. There +was no excitement visible in his manner, except that he breathed a +little heavier. For a moment only blank consternation reigned, then Mr. +Day drew himself up with a scornful air, while Mr. Forbes sat staring at +him with his head bowed upon his bosom. +</p> +<p> +"And suppose we do not give our consent to these changes that you speak +of?" said Mr. Day, curtly. "Do you forget, Mr. Denton, that this +partnership has still several years to run? Whether we own much or +little of the capital, we are still your partners!" +</p> +<p> +"And as such you are at liberty to oppose my actions," answered Mr. +Denton, quickly; "but in that case I shall resort to the most extreme +measures, for my mind is made up, and my decision final!" +</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<a name="CH25"><!-- CH25 --></a> +<h2> + CHAPTER XXV. +</h2> + +<h3> +MR. DENTON GIVES SOME ORDERS. +</h3> +<p> </p> +<p> +At this demonstration of firmness on Mr. Denton's part, Mr. Forbes still +sat speechless with his head bowed sullenly. Mr. Day, on the contrary, +nearly exploded with wrath, but at each angry suggestion he was met with +the same firm refusal. +</p> +<p> +"Are we to be made laughing stocks for the whole business world to jeer +at?" he asked as he paced the office furiously, "or to be bankrupted +through methods that border strongly on insanity? For it is nothing +else, Mr. Denton, but raving lunacy! No man in his sober senses would +entertain such a plan for the space of a second! Why, your orders about +those sweat-shops were simply ridiculous! Are we to pay more for our +goods than they are really worth, and then make a charity organization +of ourselves and give them to our customers?" +</p> +<p> +Mr. Denton smiled sadly. He was not at all surprised. +</p> +<p> +What amused him most was the demeanor of Mr. Forbes; he had expected +vituperations from him at every point of his confession. +</p> +<p> +"You are free to rid yourself of all association with the firm," was Mr. +Denton's only answer. "I will buy you out at your own figure, Mr. Day; +or, as I said before, I will end the thing at once. I will apply at once +to have a receiver appointed." +</p> +<p> +"But I don't wish to be bought out, and I don't wish to dissolve +partnership. This store is making a fortune for us all. I would be a +fool to throw over such a magnificent investment!" +</p> +<pre> + "It profiteth nothing, and fearful the cost, + To gain the whole world if thy soul shall be lost!" +</pre> +<p> +Mr. Denton quoted the words soberly, almost reverently. As he did so a +vision of Faith Marvin rose suddenly before him. +</p> +<p> +"Pshaw! You have lost your senses, Denton!" cried Mr. Day. "Am I to be +scared into idiocy by the words of some fanatic?" +</p> +<p> +"You have said nothing, Mr. Forbes," said Mr. Denton, turning from Mr. +Day quietly. +</p> +<p> +"I have nothing to say," remarked Mr. Forbes, gruffly. "It is as Mr. Day +says; you have lost your senses." +</p> +<p> +Mr. Denton sighed heavily. He was a little disappointed. +</p> +<p> +"You can talk the matter over by yourselves," he said, finally, "and +remember, I stand ready to deal fairly by my partners. My loss, if I +have one, need not be theirs; you have only to state a willingness to +comply or settle." +</p> +<p> +He walked out of the office, closing the door behind him. A second later +he had arrived at the door of his own office. +</p> +<p> +"Please, sir, may I see you a minute, sir?" asked a voice just behind +him. +</p> +<p> +He turned and recognized Sam Watkins, the boy who had stolen the five +hundred dollars. +</p> +<p> +"Come in, Sam," he said, kindly. The child looked at him in surprise. +The moment the door closed behind him he burst out crying. +</p> +<p> +"Come, come, boy, don't cry! I won't scold you," said Mr. Denton, +smiling. +</p> +<p> +He took Sam's hand in his own and patted it encouragingly. +</p> +<p> +"I couldn't help it, sir; indeed, I couldn't!" he blurted out. "Poor ma +was so sick and needed money so dreadful!" +</p> +<p> +"So you took it for your mother," said Mr. Denton. "Now, tell me the +truth, Sam; what did you do with the other three hundred dollars?" +</p> +<p> +Sam Watkins looked up into the gentleman's face. His eyes were red from +weeping, but they did not waver. +</p> +<p> +"I lost it, sir," he said, simply. "It was in my coat pocket. You see, +I divided the wad, sir, so it wouldn't look so bulky!" +</p> +<p> +"And did your mother scold you?" asked Mr. Denton, still smiling. +</p> +<p> +The boy's glance fell to the floor and he shifted his feet uneasily. +</p> +<p> +"No, sir, she didn't scold—that is, not exactly," he said, sniffing. +"She just talked to me, sir, and then she cried something awful!" +</p> +<p> +Mr. Denton turned his head away for about a minute. There was something +in the boy's story that affected him strangely. The poor woman had wept +because her boy had stolen some money, yet rich men smiled complacently +over what they called "good bargains," but which in reality were little +more than thieving. +</p> +<p> +"How is your brother?" he asked, when he could trust himself to speak. +</p> +<p> +The boy's lips trembled and he began crying before he answered. +</p> +<p> +"He's pretty bad, sir; in the hospital," he whispered, brokenly. "They +think he'll die! You see, his sweetheart, Miss Jennings, died the very +day after I stole the money, and the two things, with his hard work, +knocked poor Fred out completely." +</p> +<p> +"Was Miss Jennings his sweetheart?" asked Mr. Denton in astonishment. +This was a phase of that horror that he had not even dreamed of. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, yes, they were sweethearts," said the boy, with a hysterical +giggle. "They was awfully in love, but they couldn't afford to get +married." +</p> +<p> +Mr. Denton rose from his desk and paced the office floor. The misery in +the situation was even blacker than he had realized. +</p> +<p> +"See here, boy!" he said suddenly. "Give me your mother's address, and +here's a ten-dollar bill for her. Now, go home and take care of her." +</p> +<p> +The boy's face flushed crimson as he refused the money. +</p> +<p> +"I wouldn't dare to take it," he muttered sheepishly. "She'd think I +stole it." +</p> +<p> +"Then I'll send it by mail," said Mr. Denton quickly, "and I'll tell +her at the same time that we don't mind about the three hundred. We can +forgive a boy who only stole to help a sick mother." +</p> +<p> +"Oh, sir!" cried the boy. But he could get no farther. The next second +he was shaking with a storm of sobs. The agony of his repentance had +reached its limit. Before he left the building the letter had been +posted to his mother through the pneumatic mailing tube that opened in +Mr. Denton's office. +</p> +<p> +Mr. Denton's next duty was to see his buyers. He was still smarting with +indignation over that "sweatshop" horror. +</p> +<p> +In less than an hour he had them all assembled in the receiving-room, +which was piled from end to end with the products of underpaid labor. +</p> +<p> +His speech to them was short but decidedly to the point. They were to +submit the names of the persons or firms whom they bought of, and +receive his express commands concerning all further orders. +</p> +<p> +"I cannot have the souls of these poor creatures on my conscience any +longer," he said at the conclusion of his statements. "So, if the public +still want these goods, we will make them ourselves and pay those poor +seamstresses what they are worth, besides letting them work in cleanly +surroundings." +</p> +<p> +"But, Mr. Denton," spoke up one of the buyers who was a privileged +character in the establishment, "that will entail endless work for the +cashier's department, as well as work-rooms. As it is now, there is but +one bill to pay where by your plan there would be a hundred or more, +and, besides, we have no work-rooms to spare; we are already +overcrowded." +</p> +<p> +"I know it," replied Mr. Denton, sadly, "and as I am well aware that +reformation, like charity, should 'begin at home,' I must wait a little +before putting my plan into action." +</p> +<p> +"My girls will never work with those people, I am sure," remarked the +foreman of the work-rooms. "You have no idea what sticklers they are for +caste. Why, as poor as they are, they turn up their noses at those +beneath them!" +</p> +<p> +Mr. Denton smiled grimly at this information. +</p> +<p> +"They share that failing with the whole human family," he said, slowly. +"Only a few are exempt from this feeling of scorn; they are the few who +have learned to love their fellow-beings, however," he went on more +cheerfully, "we who have set them this example of thoughtlessness and +neglect must try to undo what we have done by patient precept and +example." +</p> +<p> +His hearers stared at him, but they were too polite to reply. It was +their opinion that the man had suddenly became deranged. They did not +doubt for a moment that they would go on as usual. +</p> +<p> +After a few more arguments as to the impracticability of his +suggestions, the men dispersed, casting meaning glances at each other. +</p> +<p> +Once beyond his hearing, they talked the startling situation over. Not +one of them had ever heard of a similar occurrence. +</p> +<p> +Mr. Denton went back to his office to think a little. When he reached it +he found Mr. Day pacing the floor as he waited for him. +</p> +<p> +"So your decision is final," he bellowed, as Mr. Denton entered. "You +have fully decided to make a fool of yourself and wreck the firm, and +all because you have not head enough to keep your religion out of +business!" +</p> +<p> +Mr. Denton's face flushed, but he spoke as calmly as ever. +</p> +<p> +"If religion is needed anywhere, it is needed in business," he said +quietly. "If I am a fool at all it is because I did not find it out +sooner." +</p> +<p> +"Very well, then," roared Mr. Day. "I refuse to submit to such nonsense! +Furthermore, as Mr. Forbes will not hear of dissolution, I shall expect +you and him to buy me out at once! I will sell my right, title and +interest for one hundred thousand dollars." +</p> +<p> +"But that is four times what you put in," said Mr. Denton, quickly, "and +as you have already been paid a large interest on your investment, your +price is exorbitant; are you too angry to see it?" +</p> +<p> +"I should have gotten that out of it before the expiration of the +partnership. It is that figure or nothing," said Mr. Day, doggedly, +"and, mind, I will fight against dissolution, tooth and nail, Mr. +Denton. I would be as mad as you are if I did not do so!" +</p> +<p> +"Then I will pay you that amount at once, Mr. Day," said the gentleman. +"I will give you a check on my personal bank account and acquire your +interest as a private investment. Your price is too exorbitant to permit +my purchasing it for the firm, but we will attend to the details when +Mr. Forbes is present." +</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<a name="CH26"><!-- CH26 --></a> +<h2> + CHAPTER XXVI. +</h2> + +<h3> +SOME STARTLING CHANGES. +</h3> +<p> </p> +<p> +As the days went by the employees of the big department store became +gradually aware that something had happened. The first intimation came +from the daily papers, in which was given a more or less truthful +account of Mr. Day's withdrawal from the firm on the grounds that he +disapproved of his senior partner's new business methods. +</p> +<p> +What these methods were it remained to be seen. The clerks were hopeful +of some reforms, but for a while they only wondered and waited. +</p> +<p> +Miss Fairbanks stopped at Faith's counter early one morning, when the +store was comparatively empty, and began talking to her in an unusually +affable manner. +</p> +<p> +"There's something going to happen here soon," she said, confidently. +"And, in my opinion, it's going to be pretty serious. Either Mr. Denton +has got religion, or else he's gone crazy, for he's giving us buyers a +lot of orders nowadays that will mean the failure of the firm if we are +obliged to obey them." +</p> +<p> +"Why, what are they, Miss Fairbanks?" Faith asked in surprise. Miss +Jones came up also and listened for the answer. +</p> +<p> +"Well, in the first place, we are not to beat down the drummers any +more, but are to offer them fair prices on all our orders. Then we are +to learn, if possible, who makes the goods that we buy, for Mr. Denton +says he does not want to make a profit out of some poor woman's work +while she is going half clothed and perhaps sick and starving." +</p> +<p> +"Why, the man is stark mad," said Miss Jones, in amazement. "As if it +was any concern of his what other people work for!" +</p> +<p> +"I think he is quite right," remarked Faith, very soberly. "I can +understand how he feels, and I think he is very brave to give such +orders." +</p> +<p> +"Then he says," went on Miss Fairbanks, "that there are to be new +arrangements for you girls. You are to be relieved every two hours for +about twenty minutes. That means, of course, that he is going to hire a +lot of new help, and I, for one, am sorry, for there'll be blunders by +the hundred." +</p> +<p> +"Oh, perhaps not," said Faith, brightly. "I hope not, anyway, for your +sake, Miss Fairbanks. I know just how annoying it is for you, who have +so many clerks to look after." +</p> +<p> +Miss Fairbanks looked at her gratefully, but with a little surprise. It +was not often that one of her girls expressed any sympathy for her. +</p> +<p> +"Then, there's to be a full hour at luncheon," continued the buyer after +a minute, "and the best of all is that we are to have a new lunch-room. +No more eating in that rat hole down in the basement." +</p> +<p> +"Well, that is good news," said Miss Jones delightedly. "Really, I begin +to think that the millennium is coming!" +</p> +<p> +"Or the Kingdom of God," said Faith, very happily. "There is no doubt in +my mind but that Mr. Denton has become a Christian." +</p> +<p> +Both women stared at her as she spoke, but, for a wonder, neither of +them scoffed at her statement. +</p> +<p> +Miss Fairbanks recovered herself first and asked a very natural +question. +</p> +<p> +"What do you mean by saying that he has become a Christian? Why, Mr. +Denton has been a member of the church ever since I can remember." +</p> +<p> +"Alas!" sighed Faith sadly. "That doesn't always signify, Miss +Fairbanks. He may have accepted Christ but not Christ's spirit; but it +is plain now that the very essence of godliness is awakening within him. +If this is so I can predict that there will be great changes in this +store and that every one will be for the comfort of its toilers." +</p> +<p> +A few customers coming in cut short the conversation, and as Maggie +Brady was absent the department was short-handed, as usual, so that +there was only an odd minute or two for idling. +</p> +<p> +"I wonder if Miss Brady is ill?" said Faith as she squeezed by Miss +Jones in the narrow space behind the counter. +</p> +<p> +"It will go hard with her if she doesn't show up pretty soon," was the +answer, "for between you and me, I believe Gunning hates her." +</p> +<p> +"Oh, these dreadful hatreds," said Faith, with a sigh. "Poor Miss Brady +looks so wretched. I don't see how any one can hate her." +</p> +<p> +"Well, you see, she was engaged to Gunning once, and she might better +have married him than to have thrown herself away on Jim Denton." +</p> +<p> +Cash girl Number 83 came up as she spoke. She was the girl who had first +told Faith that Mr. Watkins was very ill and in the hospital, and it was +evident by her manner that she had something else to tell her. +</p> +<p> +"What is it, 83?" asked Faith, expectantly. "Have you heard any news of +Mr. Watkins' condition?" +</p> +<p> +"Yes, and I've heard more'n that," said the little girl quickly, "but I +won't spring it all on you at once, for it might shock you, Miss +Marvin." +</p> +<p> +Faith was puzzled at her words, but she tried to restrain her eagerness +until the girl had given a package to a customer and come back to the +counter. +</p> +<p> +"Mr. Watkins is better—lots better," she said, gayly. "They say the +boss has been to see him in his howling swell carriage, and they've +fixed up the matter about the money all right; they must have, because +Sammy Watkins is back in his old position." +</p> +<p> +"Oh, that is lovely," cried Faith, clasping her hands together. +</p> +<p> +"Well, the rest ain't so lovely!" said the cash girl, grinning, "for I +saw Mag Brady on the street last night. She was drunk as a toper, and +she says she's a-goin' to 'do' you!" +</p> +<p> +"What!" gasped Faith, in astonishment as the cash girl finished, "Miss +Brady intoxicated! You surely don't mean it?" +</p> +<p> +"Oh, don't I?" said the child, with a worldly leer. "I mean lots more +than that, only I'm too nice to say it." +</p> +<p> +She walked away to answer another call while Faith stared first at Miss +Fairbanks and then at Miss Jones. Both had heard the words yet they were +laughing at her amazement. +</p> +<p> +"You are easily shocked," said Miss Fairbanks, with a shrug. "Why, any +one with half an eye could see that Mag Brady loves whiskey." +</p> +<p> +"That's another thing that Jim Denton taught her," said Miss Jones +indifferently. "Why, I knew Mag Brady when she was as innocent as you +are." +</p> +<p> +"But can nothing be done to reclaim her?" asked Faith, eagerly. "You say +you knew her when she was different, Miss Jones; have you ever tried to +save her from ruin?" +</p> +<p> +"I mind my own business," said Miss Jones, haughtily, "and I find that +is all I can possibly do. Mag Brady must save herself if she wants to be +saved, but, between you and me, I don't think she wants to." +</p> +<p> +"But you—you are her friend," Faith cried, turning to Miss Fairbanks; +"do promise me that you will plead with her; it might do wonders! Just +think how you would feel if the poor girl was your sister!" +</p> +<p> +Miss Fairbanks seemed earnest and sincere as she replied: +</p> +<p> +"I will certainly advise her if she gives me the chance. Poor girl, I am +sorry for her, but I doubt if I can save her." +</p> +<p> +"Then we must all pray that God will do so," whispered Faith, very +soberly. "It is a wrong that we will all be held responsible for; to see +her going down to destruction and not try to save her!" +</p> +<p> +Miss Jones wheeled around and went to a customer, but Miss Fairbanks +paused and looked at Faith for a moment. +</p> +<p> +"I would give the world to possess your faith," she said, hesitatingly; +"but there's no use—no use—I'm too great a sinner." +</p> +<p> +There was no chance to reply, for she walked away as she spoke. In a +second she was talking to a customer in her usual business-like manner. +As Faith turned to look over her stock she heard some one speak. +</p> +<p> +There was a colored man at her counter holding a letter out toward her. +</p> +<p> +"Dis yere lettah fo' you, missy," he said, with a wide grin. "Dar ain't +no name on it, honey, but I know's yo' face. Yo' is num'er fo' eleben. +Reckin ain't no 'stake 'bout it!" +</p> +<p> +"I am Number 411, certainly," said Faith, politely, "but I can't imagine +who would write me a letter; still, if you are sure it's for me, I +suppose I must accept." +</p> +<p> +"Oh, it's fo' you all right," said the negro, decidedly, "fo' de capting +p'inted yo' out on de street las' ebenin'." +</p> +<p> +Faith took the letter and opened it hastily. As she glanced rapidly over +the writing she blushed as red as a poppy. +</p> +<p> +"Got a mash note?" asked Miss Jones with a careless glance at the +letter. +</p> +<p> +"Not exactly," stammered Faith, "but it is almost as unpleasant. It is +from a man whom Bob Hardy spoke to me about—a fellow who thinks because +I am poor that he can buy my soul with his superfluous money!" +</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<a name="CH27"><!-- CH27 --></a> +<h2> + CHAPTER XXVII. +</h2> + +<h3> +THE POISONED CANDY. +</h3> +<p> </p> +<p> +But Faith had only read a part of the letter when she made her +statement, for, on a closer perusal, she found she was mistaken. If the +writer had ever dreamed of tempting her with the lure of proffered +luxury he admitted his change of opinion in terms of honest candor. +</p> +<p> +"Dear Child," the letter read, "since our meeting the other evening I +have been thinking constantly how I best could win your esteem and +affection. That I should desire the friendship of a pure, young girl +would sound strange to the ears of many worldly people, but to you, who +are as distant from worldliness as are the angels in heaven, the +suggestion can bring only bewildering sensations. To say that I am +ashamed does not half express my feelings. To say that I wish to make +immediate amends does not convey to you the half of my eagerness in that +direction. +</p> +<p> +"Will you allow me to call upon you at your home? This is the request of +a man who was once a gentleman, but who, through the bitterness of +disappointment, had lost faith in all things holy." +</p> +<p> +The letter was signed "Cornelius C. Deering." +</p> +<p> +Faith read it over and over—the signature was in a measure familiar, +but just at that time she could not place it. +</p> +<p> +As she tucked the letter in her pocket, Mr. Gunning approached the +counter. He was twirling his mustache with his coarse, blunt fingers, +and there was a superciliousness in his manner that was almost +disgusting. +</p> +<p> +"Perhaps you are not aware, Number 411, that we don't allow that sort of +thing here," he said in a loud tone. "If you must have such improper +notes from men, please see that they are not delivered during business +hours. I can't have you wasting time in reading letters!" +</p> +<p> +For a moment the floor seemed sinking beneath Faith's feet, but it was +not altogether from the effect of his words—it was the shock of finding +out that Miss Jones was treacherous. +</p> +<p> +For a moment it seemed incomprehensible that she should have repeated +her remark, but how else could the floor-walker have guessed that her +letter was either from a "man" or "improper"? +</p> +<p> +She almost bit her tongue in her effort to keep silent, and at first she +was even tempted to show the fellow the letter. +</p> +<p> +"It was not my fault that the letter came to me here," she said finally. +"Believe me, Mr. Gunning, it would not have happened if I could have +prevented it." +</p> +<p> +"Oh, of course, you can't help men writing love letters to you," said +the fellow, impudently; "but if I see any more of them I shall report it +to Mr. Gibson! Our rules are very strict. There is to be no flirting in +the building!" +</p> +<p> +Faith would have liked to ask him why he did not stop James Denton from +flirting in the store, and why the detectives were not punished for +their villainous efforts in behalf of outsiders, as well as a dozen more +questions, some of which would have included his own department, but she +was far too wise to risk such a venture. +</p> +<p> +When Mr. Gunning walked away, Miss Jones came up to her. There was a +sneer on her face while her eyes twinkled with amusement. +</p> +<p> +"How could you be so mean as to tell him?" Faith asked, breathlessly. +"You saw how distressed I was; why could you not respect my feelings?" +</p> +<p> +"Oh, I guess you didn't feel so bad as you try to make out," said Miss +Jones, snappishly. "Girls that make friends with men who keep nigger +servants ain't always as green as they look, you know! Sometimes they +are worse than those who ain't so smooth or so clever!" +</p> +<p> +"You are as insulting as he was," said Faith, very gravely. "I am +disappointed in you, Miss Jones. I though you were more friendly." +</p> +<p> +"Well, who cares what you thought?" was the heartless answer. "I'm not +to blame if you took me for a fool! Why, even Mag Brady could see +through your sly actions!" +</p> +<p> +Faith looked at her in astonishment, her veins throbbing with +indignation. +</p> +<p> +"She understood your little game that day of the fire, when you and Jim +Denton were talking together! He's rich, Jim Denton is, and he's mighty +susceptible! You ain't such an innocent but what you found that out, and +now he is meeting you on street corners and sending you candy!" +</p> +<p> +Faith had heard all she could bear, so she turned and walked slowly +away. She was so confused that for an hour or more she could hardly make +out her checks properly. +</p> +<p> +The new packer was a girl about two years her junior, and as Faith +handed up her goods she could not help thinking of Miss Jennings. +</p> +<p> +Poor Mary, with all her bitterness, had been a true, loyal friend. She +would have scorned to do a treacherous or dishonest action herself, yet +she absolutely refused to condemn such conduct in others. +</p> +<p> +Faith remembered her plea for the thief, Lou Willis, and that led her +finally on a new train of thought, so that she was able to almost forget +her late conversation. +</p> +<p> +Several times during the day there were changes made in the department, +and Miss Fairbanks was kept busy altering the prices on goods, +especially on what were known as the "bargain counters." +</p> +<p> +These counters were principally small tables standing here and there in +the aisles, and during the rush hours they were always surrounded by +customers. +</p> +<p> +Finally, to the surprise of the entire department, the tables, +themselves, were removed, Mr. Denton coming down from his office to +superintend the transaction. +</p> +<p> +"The fire company has warned him again, I guess," whispered Miss +Fairbanks to Faith. "Well, that's a hard one on Mag Brady; she was hired +expressly for those bargains." +</p> +<p> +"He will surely make a place for her elsewhere, will he not?" asked +Faith. "It would be dreadful if the poor girl should lose her work +completely!" +</p> +<p> +"She deserves it," said Cash Number 83, who was standing near. "'Tain't +as if she was stayin' away 'cause she was sick! She's just on a spree +along with some girls and fellers!" +</p> +<p> +"What gets me is how Mr. Forbes is taking all these changes. He don't +seem to be saying a word," continued Miss Fairbanks, without noticing +the cash girl. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, he's just saying nothing and sawing wood," said Miss Jones, +knowingly. "He's too foxy to quit the firm as old Pomposity did! +Probably he thinks it won't last, and he's willing to wait till it's +over." +</p> +<p> +"Well, it will be a great deal safer here now without the tables," said +the buyer. "If we have a fire now there won't be so much crowding." +</p> +<p> +"They say he's doing this sort of thing all over the store," said Mr. +Gunning, who had just returned from helping with the tables. +</p> +<p> +"Then they tell me, too, that he's having a lunch-room and restaurant +for employees built on the sixth floor of the building. All the goods +that were stored there are being taken to the basement." +</p> +<p> +"And we cash girls are all to be fired!" spoke up "Number 83," sadly, +"except those who are healthy and over fourteen. The rest of us that +ain't got any parents have got to go to Gerry's, or, if we have got +parents, they've got to support us—that's what the boss says, but it +sounds mighty like a 'pipe dream.'" +</p> +<p> +"It sounds like a sensible arrangement," said Faith, seriously, "for +it's a shame that such children should have to work! Why, you ought to +be in school this very minute!" +</p> +<p> +"Well, I'd rather be here," said "83" very shortly. "There ain't no fun +in a school-room, and what's the good of studyin', anyhow?" +</p> +<p> +"But don't you wish to be able to cipher and to read books?" said Faith. +</p> +<p> +"What's the use?" was the answer; "they don't tell you nothin', at +least not nothin' about how to earn your livin'!" +</p> +<p> +Faith gave up in despair. She was baffled at every turn. The only ray of +sunshine that she could see was in Mr. Denton's rapidly developing +improvements. +</p> +<p> +As she mounted the stairs to the sixth floor to eat her luncheon in the +new quarters, she was surprised to find Sam Watkins waiting at the top +of the last flight, apparently on the lookout for her. +</p> +<p> +"This is Miss Marvin, ain't it?" he asked when he saw her, at the same +time drawing a package out from under his jacket. "I was told to give +you this," he whispered, shyly. "Here, take it, quick, while there ain't +no one lookin'! Them gals would turn green if they knowed you had a +whole box of candy!" +</p> +<p> +Faith took the box and looked at it sharply. There was no card this +time, but she felt sure it was from James Denton. +</p> +<p> +"You can have it, Sam," she said, without an instant's hesitation. "I +really don't care for it; do take it, Sam. But, by the way, where did +you get it?" +</p> +<p> +"Hush!" +</p> +<p> +The boy whispered the word with his fingers on his lips. +</p> +<p> +"There they come now, miss! Are you sure you don't want it?" +</p> +<p> +"Quite sure, Sam," was Faith's answer, as she hurried away. She did not +wish the clerks to know that she had been the recipient of more +presents. +</p> +<p> +Sam Watkins took the box directly to the men's lunch-room, which was on +the same floor at the other end of the building. +</p> +<p> +Being a boy, he could not long resist the temptation of candy, but just +as he opened the box with a grimace of delight, Ben Tyler came in +carrying a wide-awake, little Skye terrier. +</p> +<p> +"I just found him in the store; some lady has lost him, I guess," said +Tyler, as the others all looked at him. "I was going to send him to the +'Found desk,' but he wouldn't have it. He sticks to me as if I was his +master." +</p> +<p> +"I'll get him away from you, I'll bet!" said Sam, holding out a piece +of candy. +</p> +<p> +In a second the dog sprang out of Tyler's arms and swallowed the +sweetmeat greedily. +</p> +<p> +"There, you can't have any more," said Sam, after he had fed him a +couple more pieces. "I've got to treat the rest of the crowd, and there +won't be enough to go around." +</p> +<p> +"Keep your candy, kid; we don't want it," said one of the men +good-naturedly, but Sam was so interested in watching the lively little +dog that, fortunately, he forgot to eat for a few minutes. +</p> +<p> +"Hello! What ails the dog?" exclaimed Tyler, suddenly. "How queer he +acts! I believe the stuff has made him sick already!" +</p> +<p> +All eyes were turned on the poor little creature, and it was soon plain +to be seen that he was suffering terribly. +</p> +<p> +"It ought not to hurt him," said one of the men. +</p> +<p> +"Not if it's all right," said Tyler, going over toward Sam. "Let me see +your candy, my boy; I believe there's something wrong with it." +</p> +<p> +Sam dropped the chocolate that he was just conveying to his mouth, and +handed the box to the detective with great alacrity. +</p> +<p> +"There's something in it, I'm sure," he said, after a careful scrutiny, +"and I'm willing to bet the stuff is poisoned!" +</p> +<p> +A final moan from the poor little dog fully justified him in his +decision. +</p> +<p> +"The dog is dead," said one of the clerks in a solemn voice. "So there +isn't a shadow of doubt but what the candy is poisoned." +</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<a name="CH28"><!-- CH28 --></a> +<h2> + CHAPTER XXVIII. +</h2> + +<h3> +A PAINFUL SITUATION. +</h3> +<p> </p> +<p> +To say that Sam was disappointed would be describing his feelings very +mildly, but in an instant the discomfiture was forgotten in a new +sensation—he had suddenly thought of Miss Marvin's good fortune. +</p> +<p> +Suppose she had kept the box and eaten the candy! The thought frightened +Sam out of all further idea of secrecy. +</p> +<p> +In an instant he had related how he came by the candy, and the clerks +were looking at each other with questioning glances. +</p> +<p> +"'Tain't the first box of candy she's had sent her," said one. "I heard +Fairbanks say that she got them often from Jim Denton." +</p> +<p> +"Yes, she's cut Mag Brady out for good in that direction. Well, why +shouldn't she? She's new and as pretty as a picture!" +</p> +<p> +"But, surely, Jim Denton didn't send this box," said the detective. "If +he's sweet on the girl he wouldn't want to poison her." +</p> +<p> +"Well, hardly, Tyler," laughed another of the lunchers. +</p> +<p> +"Perhaps he intended it for Mag," suggested another. "If he's tired of +the girl he may be trying to fix her." +</p> +<p> +"Pshaw! He doesn't have to resort to such measures as that! What could a +poor girl do to injure Jim Denton? No, Tyler, you'll have to look +somewhere else for your poisoner, I reckon," said one of the oldest men +in the whole establishment. +</p> +<p> +"Who gave you the box in the first place?" asked the detective of Sam. +"I mean, who told you to give it to Miss Marvin?" +</p> +<p> +Sam spoke up promptly, for he had nothing to hide. +</p> +<p> +"A kid gave it to me at the door—a messenger boy—who said he was in a +tearing hurry." +</p> +<p> +"Did you sign for it?" asked the detective, looking sharply at the boy. +</p> +<p> +"Naw, I didn't sign nothin'; he didn't have no ticket." +</p> +<p> +"Then he wasn't a messenger at all," was the reply, "and you are a big +dunce, Sam Watkins, that you didn't know it!" +</p> +<p> +"Well, I thought it was straight, anyhow," whispered the boy. "How was I +to guess that some one was tryin' to pisen Miss Marvin?" +</p> +<p> +Ben Tyler took the box carefully and replaced the wrapper; then, telling +Sam to follow, he went straight to Mr. Denton's office. +</p> +<p> +"Now, Sam, tell Mr. Denton exactly what you have told me," said the +detective, after he had stated what had happened. +</p> +<p> +Sam repeated his story without the slightest variation. Mr. Denton +cross-questioned him, but there was nothing further to learn. A boy had +handed the box to Sam and told him to give it to Miss Faith Marvin. +</p> +<p> +After Mr. Denton and the detective had examined the candy carefully they +held a consultation as to what should be done about it. +</p> +<p> +"We must have it analyzed at once," said Mr. Denton, anxiously. "That is +the only way of proving the matter." +</p> +<p> +The detective nodded. He knew that came first, but it needed no analysis +to convince him that the candy was poisoned. +</p> +<p> +"Has she ever received a similar box that you know of?" asked Mr. +Denton. +</p> +<p> +The detective hesitated for a moment. He hardly knew how to tell him. +</p> +<p> +"I believe she has, sir," he said, after a minute; "but I would advise +you to ask the young woman herself, for I can only repeat what may be +idle gossip." +</p> +<p> +"You are right," said Mr. Denton, touching an electric button and +sending the boy who answered to the department for Miss Marvin. +</p> +<p> +In less than five minutes Faith entered the office, but before he came +the detective slipped a newspaper over the box of poisoned candy, and a +nod of the head showed that Mr. Denton understood and approved of the +movement. +</p> +<p> +"Miss Marvin," said Mr. Denton, "I wish you to answer a question: Are +you in the habit of receiving boxes of candy as presents?" +</p> +<p> +With Mr. Gunning's remarks still burning in her brain, Faith could not +help blushing at this unexpected question. +</p> +<p> +She finally controlled herself and answered firmly: +</p> +<p> +"I have never received but two boxes since I entered your employ, +sir—one a few days ago and the other this morning." +</p> +<p> +"What did you do with the candy?" asked her employer again. +</p> +<p> +"I gave the first box to a cash girl who works in my department, and the +other I gave to Sam. I didn't even open them." +</p> +<p> +"Why did you not open them?" asked the detective, sharply. +</p> +<p> +Faith glanced at Mr. Denton a moment before replying. +</p> +<p> +"Yes, why did you not open them? Are you not fond of candy, Miss +Marvin?" +</p> +<p> +"I like it, yes, sir," was Faith's slow answer; "but the gift was +unexpected. In fact, sir, I did not want it, and so I gave away the +candy because I objected to the giver." +</p> +<p> +Faith's color had risen as she said these words, and she seemed to brace +herself mentally for what was coming. +</p> +<p> +Should she answer the next question, which she felt sure would follow? +It was a moment that taxed all the decision in her nature. +</p> +<p> +Mr. Denton looked at her smilingly as he prepared for the question. +There was not an inkling in his brain of the true situation. +</p> +<p> +"Do you object, Miss Marvin, to telling us who sent it? Really, the +question is important, or I would not ask it." +</p> +<p> +Faith looked from one to the other and clenched her fingers +convulsively. It seemed cruel to her to thus wound the feelings of +another. +</p> +<p> +"I would rather not tell, please, Mr. Denton," she began. +</p> +<p> +"Then I must insist," said the gentleman, "for, as I said, the matter is +serious." +</p> +<p> +"If you insist, I must obey," said Faith, in some bewilderment; "but I +beg you will forgive me for saying that your son sent me the candy." +</p> +<p> +Before the words were fairly out Mr. Denton was pale with horror. The +shock was so great that he shuddered as he looked at her. +</p> +<p> +"My son," he whispered, hoarsely. "Is that true, Miss Marvin? Is my son +one of the rascals who annoy the young women under my protection? Is +he—" +</p> +<p> +He could get no farther—his feelings overcame him. +</p> +<p> +"I am afraid he is," said Faith, very faintly, "for I have given him no +right to be sending me presents." +</p> +<p> +Mr. Denton leaned back in his chair with one hand to his brow. The +detective's ruse in covering the candy had produced results as startling +as they were suspicious. +</p> +<p> +If Faith had known of the poison in the candy no power could have +induced her to tell what she had, but up to the present she was in total +ignorance of the matter, and it was now Mr. Denton's turn to dread the +next disclosures. +</p> +<p> +"My dear child," he said at last; "I have something to tell +you—something that will shock you even more than your news shocks me; +it is this, your box of candy to-day was poisoned." +</p> +<p> +Faith stared at him stupidly for the space of a second, then the full +situation dawned slowly upon her. "If that is the case, your son did not +send it, Mr. Denton!" she cried in decided accents, "for although he is +thoughtless and careless of others, he would shrink from doing such a +deed as that, even though he had a motive, which he certainly hasn't!" +</p> +<p> +"I believe you," said Mr. Denton, in a tone of relief. "Whoever sent the +candy is making my son the scapegoat! You say there was no writing on +the package when you got it, young man, and no message or card when you +opened it in the lunch-room?" +</p> +<p> +"I can vouch for that," said Tyler, as the boy shook his head. "I was +watching the boy when he opened the candy." +</p> +<p> +"Have you any enemies in the store that you know of, Miss Marvin—any +one who is aware that my son has sent you candy?" +</p> +<p> +Mr. Denton had turned toward Faith as he asked the question. +</p> +<p> +"More enemies than friends, I am afraid, sir," was the answer, "for +although I have tried my best to be friendly with the girls, they all +treat me coldly; they are not at all like Miss Jennings." +</p> +<p> +"It is strange how they dislike and distrust each other," said Mr. +Denton, sadly. "But I suppose it is because they have so little in life, +they are constantly filled with envy over the possessions of others." +</p> +<p> +If Faith knew this to be a compliment she did not show it. So far it had +not seemed to her that the girls were envious of her beauty. +</p> +<p> +"You may go now, Sam," said Mr. Denton, kindly, "and, see here, young +man, keep your mouth shut about this matter! Not a single word until I +give you permission!" +</p> +<p> +Sam promised faithfully, and was glad to do so. Since he had been +restored to his position he had silently worshiped Mr. Denton. +</p> +<p> +"Now, Miss Marvin, I must caution you as I did Sam," said the gentleman. +"Say nothing until the officer here has ferreted out this matter. A +single word might put the criminal on guard, and a single utterance may +delay the triumph of justice." +</p> +<p> +He dismissed the young girl with a courteous bow, and was surprised that +she still lingered in a pleading manner. +</p> +<p> +"Please, Mr. Denton," she cried, brokenly, "don't try to ferret the +matter out! I beg of you, sir, let it drop and keep it a secret! The +injury to your son is no greater than to me, so let it go no further, I +implore it, Mr. Denton!" +</p> +<p> +"What, pass an attempted murder by!" exclaimed Mr. Denton in amazement. +"I am astonished, Miss Marvin, that you should make such a suggestion!" +</p> +<p> +"But I do make it!" cried Faith desperately, "and I beg that you will +grant it! Surely it was I who was to be the victim. I should be allowed +to forgive the culprit!" +</p> +<p> +"On what grounds?" asked Mr. Denton, who was trying to exercise justice. +</p> +<p> +"On the grounds that it will do no good to expose or punish," cried +Faith eagerly, "for a person who could do a deed like that can be saved +by mercy, but not by justice!" +</p> +<p> +Mr. Denton looked thoughtfully, but he could not accede to her request. +He did not believe that even a Christian could ignore the laws of man in +such a matter. +</p> +<p> +"No, Miss Marvin," he said, firmly, "the criminal must be exposed. It is +the only way to stop a repetition of such cowardly actions!" +</p> +<p> +"It was a woman who did it without doubt!" broke in the detective +sharply, "and she'll do it again, sure, if she isn't punished! A woman +that hates like that will stop at nothing!" +</p> +<p> +Faith glanced at him reproachfully, but did not answer. She did not mean +by word or look to betray her suspicions. +</p> +<p> +"I will not ask you to state whom you suspect, Miss Marvin," said Mr. +Denton, "for I see in your face that you would not tell me; but in +regard to my son, I must talk with you later. You are under my +protection, and not even my own flesh and blood shall be allowed to +annoy you." +</p> +<p> +"I am sure it is not his wish to annoy me," said Faith. "He just doesn't +understand that some girls are different from others. He has met only +the weak ones who could not withstand his flattery, but I can take care +of myself, sir, or, if not, God will protect me." +</p> +<p> +"Alas! you do not know human nature yet, my child," said Mr. Denton, +gazing at her with an expression of almost fatherly interest, "but pray +always that your trust may be as steadfast as now—that it will never be +shattered on the rocks of sorrow and misfortune." +</p> +<p> +Faith passed out of his presence with a last pleading glance—she seemed +to be mutely imploring his mercy toward the guilty. +</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<a name="CH29"><!-- CH29 --></a> +<h2> + CHAPTER XXIX. +</h2> + +<h3> +A VISITOR AT THE FLAT. +</h3> +<p> </p> +<p> +For the next few days Faith heard no more about the box of poisoned +candy, but she was not allowed to entirely forget it, for Ben Tyler, the +detective, almost haunted the department. +</p> +<p> +If he was looking for the culprit there he did not show it, for he +laughed and chatted with all the girls whenever he had an opportunity. +</p> +<p> +Maggie Brady had come back to find her "bargain counter" gone, but Miss +Fairbanks had already received orders to put her behind the regular +counter. +</p> +<p> +This brought Faith and Maggie nearer together than ever, and the hatred +in Maggie's face was very apparent, although she schooled herself to be +fairly pleasant. +</p> +<p> +Faith treated her as kindly as possible, but for all that she +occasionally caught Maggie glaring at her between half closed lids in a +manner that thrilled her with fresh suspicions. +</p> +<p> +At those times Faith felt a nervousness that she could not control. She +almost dreaded to turn her back upon the morbid young woman. +</p> +<p> +More than once she thought of Lou Willis' words that "Maggie Brady was a +sneak and a coward, who waited until dark before attacking the object of +her hatred." +</p> +<p> +But this always led her to think of Lou Willis, herself, and to question +over and over her well meant decision to try and help the girl to be +honest by not reporting her dishonesty. +</p> +<p> +She met Lou often now, and always talked to her cordially, but she could +feel that she made slow headway into the young woman's confidence. +</p> +<p> +"You and I are so different," Miss Willis said one day. "You seem to +enjoy playing the proprieties, while I just hate them!" +</p> +<p> +"But I don't think I am altogether proper, as you call it," Faith +answered. "I do lots of things that are not conventional and lots that +are unusual, still I always try to follow my conscience." +</p> +<p> +"Conscience, what's that?" asked Lou, with a grimace. "They made me +without one I guess, and I'm mighty glad of it!" +</p> +<p> +"But surely you wish to do right, don't you, Miss Willis?" +</p> +<p> +Faith's eyes were eager with hope as she asked the question. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, what difference does it make whether I do or don't? Do what you +please and don't get caught, that's my motto!" laughed the girl. +</p> +<p> +"But you surely will get caught some day," said Faith soberly. "No one +can ignore or break the laws of God and man without being ultimately +brought to punishment or repentance." +</p> +<p> +"Well, so far as the laws of God go, I'm not worrying," said Lou, with a +shrug. "He made me as I am and as He wanted me, I suppose. I'm sure I +hope He's satisfied with His creation! If He ain't, He can make me over +if He's so almighty powerful, but when it comes to the laws of man, why +that's a different matter." +</p> +<p> +"And how do you regard those?" asked Faith, trying hard not to be +shocked. The woman's answer came like a clap of thunder. +</p> +<p> +"I look upon man's laws as my natural enemies," she said sullenly. "They +are made by a lot of people who know nothing of misery or starvation, +and who are as incompetent to judge my actions as I am to judge theirs. +In other words, man's laws are all institutions of the devil! They force +you to steal and then punish you for doing so!" +</p> +<p> +After a little of this reasoning Faith grew more helpless than ever. It +was like trying to melt an iceberg with a sunbeam to thaw that callous +nature. Only Lou's violent temper and intense hatred of her enemies kept +the woman from being adamant in matters moral or spiritual. +</p> +<p> +She surprised Faith frequently with her outbursts of remorse, the most +of which were bestowed in the direction of Miss Brady. +</p> +<p> +"I saw her smiling at you to-day," she said to Faith one night. "Look +out for her, Miss Innocent, that's when she's most likely to stab you!" +</p> +<p> +Faith trembled for fear that Lou would hear in some way of the box of +poisoned candy, but strangely enough it had been hushed up for the +present. +</p> +<p> +Some power, unknown to Faith, had stopped every tongue from blabbing. +</p> +<p> +"I expect it is some of Mr. Denton's good work," she said to her mother +one night as they sat at supper with little Dick between them. "If he +can stop the gossip in the store he will accomplish a great deal, for I +believe half of the bad friendships between the clerks are made through +idle gossip." +</p> +<p> +"He is doing wonders," sighed Mrs. Marvin in answer. "At last I am +hearing of what looks to be conscientious Christianity." +</p> +<p> +"You will hear of much more, I am sure, mother," said Faith, "for I am +told that Mr. Forbes intends to remain in the firm, and that looks as if +he indorsed Mr. Denton." +</p> +<p> +"Or awaiting the outcome," added her mother quietly. She could never +quite accept her daughter's innocent reasoning. +</p> +<p> +While they were still talking, a letter was delivered from Mr. Watkins. +</p> +<p> +He was "doing nicely at the hospital," he said, and "on the straight +road to recovery," but what was better still, Mr. Denton was coming for +his mother and had assured him that his position at the store was still +open to him. +</p> +<p> +"Mr. Forbes must certainly acquiesce to that, mother," said Faith again, +"for Mr. Watkins was his office assistant; Mr. Denton would hardly put +him back if his partner was not willing." +</p> +<p> +Mrs. Marvin was about to reply when their bell rang sharply. Both rose +from the table and went into the little parlor. A moment later some one +tapped at the door, and Faith opened it promptly. She confronted an +acquaintance; it was the man whom she had met, and who had written her +the note signed "Cornelius C. Deering." +</p> +<p> +For an instant Faith was shocked out of every semblance of hospitality. +She stood staring at the man as if he were an intruder. +</p> +<p> +Like a flash it passed through her mind that she had not answered his +letter, and that he had presumed upon that silence to force his presence +upon her. The next instant she was brought swiftly back to her senses, +for the man was staring back at her as though she were a ghost, and the +expression on his face was almost pitiful. +</p> +<p> +"What is it, sir? What has happened?" she asked, taking a step forward. +</p> +<p> +"I think I have made a mistake," said the man, huskily. "I had no idea, +I assure you, of intruding upon you." +</p> +<p> +"There are twenty families in the house, so your mistake is natural," +said Faith coldly. "Pray mention the name you wish, as I can probably +direct you." +</p> +<p> +"I am looking for a lady and her daughter," said the man distinctly, +"the lady is my sister whom I have not seen in twenty years. She is a +widow, and her name is Mrs. Adelaide Marvin." +</p> +<p> +With a gasp of horror Faith staggered back into the room just as her +mother sprang forward with a joyous greeting. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, Charles, my brother!" she cried, falling on his shoulder. "How I +have longed to see you, you naughty boy, every day since you ran away +from us in dear old England!" +</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<a name="CH30"><!-- CH30 --></a> +<h2> + CHAPTER XXX. +</h2> + +<h3> +THE UNEXPECTED FORTUNE. +</h3> +<p> </p> +<p> +The next act of Faith's was one of noble heroism. In that moment of +misery she forced herself to think only of her mother, thus ignoring her +own position in the matter entirely. +</p> +<p> +Without a word she walked back into the kitchen, leaving brother and +sister together, and taking little Dick in her lap, tried to think the +matter over as calmly as possible. +</p> +<p> +It was an embarrassing position, look at it as she would, but not so +much for herself as for the man whom she now knew to be her own uncle. +</p> +<p> +As the moments passed she heard her mother's voice grow more and more +pleading, and although she could not hear what was being said, she +conjectured rightly that she was urging her brother to accede to +something, while he as steadily refused the accession. +</p> +<p> +Finally the hall door closed and Faith heard him descending the stairs. +In an instant she hurried to join her mother in the parlor. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, Faith!" cried her mother, "can you believe it, dear, it was brother +Charles, alive and well, when I had given him up for dead over and over +again! And, Faith, you will never have to work another day, for we are +almost rich, dear brother says. He has fifty thousand dollars in trust +for me from my father's estate, which has only lately been settled!" +</p> +<p> +"Oh, mother, is it possible?" cried Faith in surprise; "but why did he +leave so soon? You had surely not finished talking!" +</p> +<p> +Mrs. Marvin shook her head in a very perplexed manner. +</p> +<p> +"He seems sadly changed, Faith. I don't know what ails him. I begged him +to wait and see my daughter, but he refused almost angrily." +</p> +<p> +"Oh, well, never mind!" replied Faith blushing. "He will probably come +back again. I would not worry about it, mother." +</p> +<p> +"But I can't understand it," said Mrs. Marvin, sighing. "It seems +unnatural that Charles should not wish to see my daughter." +</p> +<p> +Faith tried to cheer her, but she was almost crying herself. Another +shock like this would have brought on hysterics. It had been a dreadful +trial to her to keep that strange conversation from her mother, but now +she was profoundly thankful that she had been able to do so, and almost +involuntarily she whispered a prayer that no word of hers might ever +disturb her dear mother's confidence in her only brother. +</p> +<p> +The thought of no more work did not once enter her mind. It was with +some difficulty that her mother finally got her to talk about their good +fortune. +</p> +<p> +"It is not for myself that I am most thankful," said Mrs. Marvin, "but I +am so glad that you can be at home once more! No more wearing out soul +and body in the service of others." +</p> +<p> +Faith looked at her thoughtfully before she answered. +</p> +<p> +"How soon can we have the money?" she asked. +</p> +<p> +"Right away," said Mrs. Marvin; "it is invested in this city. I have +only to be identified at the bank by my brother." +</p> +<p> +"I am very glad, mother," was Faith's smiling reply, "for now we can +hire a better flat and have a woman to do the work and look after +everything, but about my working, dear, please don't think of that just +now—really I seem to feel a little bit sorry to think that there is no +need of my working." +</p> +<p> +"You mean that you are interested in those poor girls, I suppose." said +her mother. "Well, there will be other ways to help them now—you need +not work among them." +</p> +<p> +"But I am sure that it is the best way to be of use to them," said Faith +quickly. "If they thought I had money they would not accept me +seriously. They would say, as they have said of other rich women, that +my interest is a 'fad' and that I could 'afford to talk religion with +my pocket full of money.'" +</p> +<p> +"You have learned their arguments quickly," said Mrs. Marvin with a +smile, "but listen, Faith! There is some one in the hall! It is possible +that Charles has returned for something." +</p> +<p> +Faith opened the door, nervously, but a look of relief soon crossed her +face. The second caller was none other than young Mr. Denton. +</p> +<p> +"Thank goodness, I've found you!" exclaimed the young man coolly. "I've +been wandering around these halls for the past half hour, either I'm +awfully stupid or the bells are all wrong, for I've rung them all and +nobody has answered! You should supply your friends with compasses and +charts, Miss Marvin, so they won't get lost when they come to see you!" +</p> +<p> +Faith had to smile, although she was a trifle indignant. She could not +imagine what had brought the young man to her apartments. +</p> +<p> +"Did you wish to see me about anything?" she asked bluntly as her +thoughts flew instinctively to the poisoned candy. "If you do, please +come in, and I will be glad to listen." +</p> +<p> +"I do, indeed," responded the young man. "I should not have dreamed of +intruding upon you without a very good reason." +</p> +<p> +Faith was almost sure it was the candy now, although she had been +assured by his father that he had been told nothing about it. +</p> +<p> +As she introduced him to her mother, she was anxious and excited, and +one conjecture as to his errand followed swiftly after another. When +they were seated Mr. Denton started at once on his errand, and as he +talked he gazed at Faith earnestly, as though trying to read her +emotion. +</p> +<p> +"My errand is a purely personal one," he began, "and you ladies may +think it a selfish one also, but the fact is I have come for a little +assistance. I want you, Miss Marvin, to help me reason with my father." +</p> +<p> +Faith made an exclamation of unfeigned surprise. +</p> +<p> +"I don't understand," she said slowly. "What is wrong with your father, +Mr. Denton?" +</p> +<p> +"That's what I'd like to know," was the emphatic answer, "but between +you and I, it's my opinion that he's crazy!" +</p> +<p> +Mrs. Marvin and Faith both stared at him curiously, for this time there +was more sadness than disrespect in his language. +</p> +<p> +"Listen to this," he went on quickly, "and see if I am not right! I will +put the situation before you without a particle of exaggeration." +</p> +<p> +"Wait!" said Mrs. Marvin. "What does all this concern us, sir? Are you +not doing wrong to talk to strangers about your father's business?" +</p> +<p> +A smile passed over the young man's features, and he turned toward Faith +with a glance of admiration. +</p> +<p> +"I think not," he said shortly, "and for this simple reason—he admires +your daughter above any girl that he has met; she has influenced him in +the past and can influence him again in the future. And he is sadly in +need of influence, I can assure you," he continued, "for, at the present +moment, he is on the verge of two things, they are the verge of +bankruptcy and the verge of insanity!" +</p> +<p> +Mrs. Marvin looked shocked, but Faith's brow became clearer. It was +coming to her now what was troubling young Denton. +</p> +<p> +The young man went on with hardly a perceptible pause, his face growing +more handsome and manly as he became interested and excited. +</p> +<p> +"My father to-day is worth a million dollars, a large percentage of it +having been made in his present business. He is prominent both in social +and business circles, and up to the present his ability has never been +questioned. To-day he has changed all this as far as it is possible to +change it in the short period of a week. He is making arrangements to +transact his business on what he calls a 'religious basis,' which means +that he intends to transact worldly affairs by heavenly methods, and it +does not take much intelligence to see where he will terminate. He will +be a bankrupt in five years, if he isn't sooner, for no fortune in the +world would float such an enterprise. Now, I can't see this go on +without making an effort to stop it, but as I have little or no +influence with him myself, I have come to Miss Marvin to ask her to help +me." +</p> +<p> +"What do you wish my daughter to do?" Mrs. Marvin asked the question +with a little amusement. +</p> +<p> +"I hardly know," was his honest answer, "but if she could just induce +him to think that God did not expect such a sacrifice and that it was +only necessary to do good in moderation, it might act as a restraint on +his wholesale generosity, put a brake, so to speak, on his downward +course to failure." +</p> +<p> +"But I think it an upward course to victory!" said Faith with +enthusiasm. "And you have no idea how I honor your father for taking it! +Just think, Mr. Denton, what good his money can do! Why, it is a duty +which he owes by right to God, for who else gave him the ability to make +all this money?" +</p> +<p> +"Do you think God gave it to him?" asked Mr. Denton, quickly. "Well, I +should have said that his most successful methods were invented by the +devil!" +</p> +<p> +"Then it is time to put his ill-gotten wealth to good account! I am +astonished, Mr. Denton, that you should wish him to retain it!" +</p> +<p> +Faith's eyes were fairly blazing now, but the look of admiration only +deepened upon young Denton's features. +</p> +<p> +There was a cry from little Dick in the kitchen just then, and Mrs. +Marvin rose hastily and excused herself to go to him. +</p> +<p> +"Miss Marvin," urged the young man, "don't be harsh in your judgment, +please! Remember I have been used to luxury all my life. My mother has +been used to it—we cannot bear to lose it." +</p> +<p> +He bent toward the young girl as he said the words, and as Faith saw the +eagerness in his face, a great wave of pity surged up within her. +</p> +<p> +He was thoughtless, even wicked, but he was not altogether to blame. The +very luxury that he craved was responsible for it. +</p> +<p> +"I would like to help you if I could," she said very gently, "but you +surely would not have me go against my own conscience." +</p> +<p> +"No, I don't know that I would," said young Denton slowly, "for if you +did you would not be what you are just now, the embodiment of all that +is best and sweetest in woman." +</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<a name="CH31"><!-- CH31 --></a> +<h2> + CHAPTER XXXI. +</h2> + +<h3> +MAG BRADY'S ARREST. +</h3> +<p> </p> +<p> +There was no mistaking young Denton's words or looks. Faith could not +have been a woman and not understood their meaning. +</p> +<p> +For a second her lids fell in a tell-tale manner, and her cheeks paled +and reddened with each alternating emotion. +</p> +<p> +She knew she must resent the young man's words at once, but her +confusion of the moment rendered her powerless to do so. +</p> +<p> +Suddenly a thought of Maggie Brady flitted across her brain. It gave her +strength and courage to resist the spell that was upon her. +</p> +<p> +"Your words are not sincere, I am afraid, Mr. Denton," she managed to +say. "You only think to flatter me as you have numbers of others." +</p> +<p> +The young man leaned back quickly, and a flush of shame mounted to his +brow. +</p> +<p> +"God forbid!" he said, sharply. "No, you wrong me, Miss Marvin! As +wicked as I am, I would not insult you." +</p> +<p> +"But you did once!" said Faith, bravely. "The first day I was in the +store! You bowed and smiled at me as brazenly as—as though you did not +respect me!" +</p> +<p> +It was out at last, and Faith's mind was relieved. She had never quite +been able to forget that occurrence. +</p> +<p> +"That was because I did not know you," explained young Denton, lamely. +"I thought you might be willing to flirt a little—no one else ever +refused me." +</p> +<p> +"Is it possible?" +</p> +<p> +Faith asked the question in out and out amazement. She could see by the +young man's face that he was not lying. +</p> +<p> +"The other girls were always glad enough to flirt a little," he went on. +"You see, they knew I had money, and was willing to spend it—you can't +blame them, Miss Marvin; they were a poverty-stricken lot! It's no +wonder that the prospect of a square meal and a little recreation +tempted them." +</p> +<p> +"No, I do not blame them," said Faith, very decidedly; "but I do blame +you, Mr. Denton; it was wicked of you to tempt them." +</p> +<p> +The young man's face fell, and he shifted his position uneasily. +</p> +<p> +"We can't all be sincere," he said, rather irritably, "and what seems +right to one often seems wrong to another. I've been careless, I admit, +and perhaps a little wicked, but don't condemn me utterly, Miss Marvin. +Why not try to reform me?" +</p> +<p> +Faith glanced at him sharply. There was not a trace of mirth in his +face. It was evident that he had asked the question in earnest. +</p> +<p> +"I wish I could," she answered, smiling a little; "but if you really +wish to reform, you can do it yourself, Mr. Denton. You have only to +pray, and your God will aid you." +</p> +<p> +"But I lack faith," he said, quickly. "I don't see things as you do, +and, besides, 'the prayers of the wicked are an abomination unto the +Lord;' you see, I know that much about the Bible, Miss Marvin!" +</p> +<p> +"But you will be wicked no longer when you go to Him in the right +spirit," said Faith, brightly. "Oh, go to Him, Mr. Denton. It will give +such pleasure to your father!" +</p> +<p> +"I'm afraid I can't," said young Denton, rising. "I have one of those +natures that cannot accept the marvelous, and, further, I'm too great a +sinner to reform, I guess; but please don't forget me because of that, +Miss Marvin. I would give more than I can tell to have you think well of +me." +</p> +<p> +Again the admiring glance rested upon the fair girl's face, and it took +all Faith's composure to reply sedately. +</p> +<p> +"I shall be glad to think well of you," she said, a little shyly; "but +you have much to undo, I'm afraid, before that can be accomplished." +</p> +<p> +"You are thinking now of what you have heard of me," said the young +man, quickly. +</p> +<p> +"I am thinking of what I have seen," was Faith's decided answer, "and I +cannot think well of you when I look at poor Maggie Brady." +</p> +<p> +"Don't mention her name!" cried her caller, almost angrily. "It is bad. +enough for you to have to work with her, but it is worse to know that +you are wasting your thoughts on her!" +</p> +<p> +"Mr. Denton, I am ashamed of you!" Faith's voice rose instinctively. +"How dare you speak disrespectfully of one of your own victims?" +</p> +<p> +A half sneer passed over the young man's face. +</p> +<p> +"I thought she'd been telling a lot of tales," he said, fiercely. "No +doubt she has blackened my character through and through! I can never +hope to overcome your impression of me, Miss Marvin!" +</p> +<p> +"On the contrary!" said Faith, hotly, "she has never spoken of you to +me! All that she ever said of you was said on those two occasions in +your presence. But she doesn't have to speak, for I can see it in her +face. That girl's soul is on your conscience. You are responsible for +her, Mr. Denton!" +</p> +<p> +Young Denton turned and looked at her searchingly. +</p> +<p> +"So long as you believe that, there is no hope for me," he muttered. +</p> +<p> +The next moment he bowed silently and left the apartment. When he had +gone Faith stood a moment almost trembling with excitement. She did not +even try to explain her many conflicting emotions. This much she +knew—she pitied him exceedingly, he was so young, so weak—she could +reason no further. +</p> +<p> +When her mother came in she was crying softly. The events of the day had +completely unnerved her. +</p> +<p> +Mrs. Marvin finally succeeded in comforting her a little, and then +followed plans for the future, both for themselves and others. +</p> +<p> +They decided to move as soon as possible, so that they could accommodate +little Dick in a more satisfactory manner, and also have a room for a +servant and one for visitors. +</p> +<p> +It was a pleasant programme, and its arrangement cheered Mrs. Marvin +wonderfully. She was one of those women who droop under adversity, but +who spring up like a flower at the first gleam of sunshine. +</p> +<p> +Contrary to her wishes, Faith insisted on going to the store the next +morning. She was so decided about the matter that Mrs. Marvin dared not +argue. +</p> +<p> +"I shall say nothing about our fortune," she said, as she started, +"until I see exactly how it will affect my position as a helper." +</p> +<p> +The new cloak-room was swarming with girls when she arrived, and as soon +as Lou Willis saw her she shouted to her: +</p> +<p> +"Hello! Miss Marvin! have you heard the news? Lightning has struck +downstairs, and it is raining surprises!" +</p> +<p> +"It's a pity lightning didn't strike the jewelry counter," called +another voice; "but if it did, I suppose it would find Lou insulated! +You'd go on talking just the same; ain't that so, Willis?" +</p> +<p> +"I talk when I have anything to say," was the girl's curt answer, "but +at present, if you please, I am addressing Miss Marvin!" +</p> +<p> +"Dear me, how respectful we are to some folks!" was the mocking reply. +"How did you manage, Lou, to get that handle before the Marvin?" +</p> +<p> +"Oh, do shut up!" was Lou's emphatic reply. "I want to tell my news and +you are not giving me the chance! They say that old Forbes has gone home +sick! He can't stand the racket!" +</p> +<p> +"What do you mean?" asked Faith, as she hung up her hat. +</p> +<p> +"Why, the boss' religious attack has upset him completely—knocked him +out in one round—and I don't much wonder. How on earth could you expect +any sane man to look on at the changes in this store and not shake in +his shoes if he has money invested in the business?" +</p> +<p> +"What has Mr. Denton done now?" asked Faith, with great interest. +</p> +<p> +"Hired a lot of new hands, for one thing," was Lou's prompt answer, +"and raised the salaries of more than half the clerks in the building!" +</p> +<p> +"Is that so, really?" asked a dozen voices. +</p> +<p> +"Well, as this happens to be my truthful day, you can depend upon it," +said Miss Willis, laughing. "Oh, I tell you, girls, the millennium is +coming! I expect he'll provide us soon with private carriages to ride to +business!" +</p> +<p> +"Well, he has one of his own," remarked Miss Jones, from the distance. +"He might at least hire a stage for us in stormy weather." +</p> +<p> +"An excellent idea!" exclaimed Faith, impulsively; "only, as we live so +far apart and there are so many of us, I'm afraid the suggestion is a +little impracticable." +</p> +<p> +"Then let him provide a dozen," cried another girl, laughing. "What is +the cost of a dozen stages to a concern worth millions?" +</p> +<p> +"Oh, girls!" cried cash girl Number 83, as she came bounding in, "what +do you think has happened? Mag Brady has been arrested! They say she's +been trying to poison Miss Marvin!" +</p> +<p> +Faith sank down in a heap on one of the new sofas which Mr. Denton had +lately provided for their comfort. +</p> +<p> +It was out at last, in spite of their caution. For a moment she was +stunned by the suddenness of it. +</p> +<p> +The clerks all clustered around her and began asking questions, but she +was too dazed to even think of answering any of them. +</p> +<p> +"I knew she'd do it!" cried Lou Willis, exultantly. "I've warned you +against her a dozen times, Miss Marvin, but that's what you get for +riling a jealous woman!" +</p> +<p> +"She'll have a chance to get over her jealousy now," said Miss Jones. +"If they can prove that on her they'll send her to prison!" +</p> +<p> +Faith staggered to her feet and faced them resolutely. +</p> +<p> +"They shall never prove it, if I can help it," she said, finally, "for I +am sorry for Miss Brady, and I'm going to try and save her!" +</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<a name="CH32"><!-- CH32 --></a> +<h2> + CHAPTER XXXII. +</h2> + +<h3> +ANOTHER TALK WITH THE INSPECTOR. +</h3> +<p> </p> +<p> +As Faith rushed from the cloak-room she came suddenly upon Ben Tyler, +who was standing at the head of the stairs leading down into the private +offices. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, Mr. Tyler, do please tell me about poor Miss Brady!" she cried, +eagerly. "I have only just heard that she has been arrested!" +</p> +<p> +The detective smiled grimly at the eagerness in her manner, but he was +nothing loath to relate his prowess. +</p> +<p> +"She's arrested all right! I nabbed her last night," he said, promptly, +"but she had covered her tracks pretty well. I had a deuce of a time to +prove it!" +</p> +<p> +Faith was still staring at him speechlessly, but with questioning eyes. +She could not help feeling some curiosity about the details of the +story. +</p> +<p> +"First, I had to find the boy that brought the candy to the store," went +on the detective; "then I traced it step by step until I reached Mag +Brady. Her brother is in a drug-store; it was through him she got the +poison." +</p> +<p> +"And where is she now?" asked Faith, beginning to tremble. +</p> +<p> +"In jail, where she belongs!" was the heartless answer. "Mr. Denton and +I went to court this morning and had her locked up for safe keeping." +</p> +<p> +"Oh, I didn't think he would do it!" said Faith, almost ready to cry. +"It is cruel, Mr. Tyler! Oh, I am so sorry for Miss Brady!" +</p> +<p> +"Well, I wouldn't be sorry for a person who tried to kill me," said the +detective, sneeringly; "but, then, I'm no saint like you, Miss Marvin." +</p> +<p> +Faith looked at him quickly and could see a sneer on his face. It was +plain that he had no special respect for saintliness. +</p> +<p> +When she reached her department she found every one talking excitedly, +and, of course, Miss Brady's arrest was the topic of conversation. +</p> +<p> +"Here she comes!—here comes Mag's rival!" cried Miss Jones, when she +saw Faith coming. +</p> +<p> +The "head of stock" had got down before her and was beginning to arrange +her goods upon the counter. +</p> +<p> +"So she tried to kill you, did she?" asked Miss Fairbanks, coming up. +"Well, all I've got to say is, the Lord deliver me from any dealings +with a jealous woman!" +</p> +<p> +Faith set her lips firmly and did not speak. She was determined to +shield Maggie in every way possible. +</p> +<p> +"I thought your habits would lead you into trouble, Miss Marvin," said +Mr. Gunning, insolently. He was leaning over the counter, which was as +near as he could get to her. Still Faith did not answer, but went on +with her work. There were no customers in yet, so she had no haven of +refuge to fly to. +</p> +<p> +"How's the mash with the nigger servant?" asked Miss Jones, suddenly. +"Has he got a wife, Miss Marvin? You'd better look out if he has! You +know Mag Brady isn't the only jealous woman in creation!" +</p> +<p> +Faith looked at her steadily before she answered, and for a second the +treacherous eyes wavered and Miss Jones felt decidedly uncomfortable. +</p> +<p> +"Neither Miss Brady nor any other woman has cause to be jealous of me," +said Faith, plainly. "I have never wronged any human being, and I cannot +understand, Miss Jones, why you insist upon taunting me!" +</p> +<p> +"Oh, don't mind her, Miss Marvin, she can't help it," cried Miss +Fairbanks. "She's been crossed in love, and it makes her spiteful!" +</p> +<p> +There was a shout from every girl that had heard the buyer's words, and +for once the tables were turned upon Faith's tormentor. +</p> +<p> +At about ten o'clock several new clerks entered the department, Miss +Fairbanks assigning them places and giving them their instructions. +</p> +<p> +"Now one of you girls can go to the cloak-room and rest for twenty +minutes," she said to Miss Jones and Faith. "It's Mr. Denton's orders +that you are not to be on your feet so steadily." +</p> +<p> +"You go first," said Faith, turning to Miss Jones, pleasantly. +</p> +<p> +The woman blushed a little and left the counter sullenly. +</p> +<p> +"Miss Fairbanks!" called Faith, as soon as she had disposed of several +customers, "please come over here a minute; I want to speak to you!" +</p> +<p> +Miss Fairbanks came over and stood close by the counter. She felt sure +that Faith was about to confide about Miss Brady. +</p> +<p> +"Miss Fairbanks, I want you to help me," the young girl whispered. "I +want you to help me get better acquainted with Miss Brady, and, if +possible, show me a way to win her confidence." +</p> +<p> +"For mercy's sake, what for?" asked the buyer, in amazement. +</p> +<p> +"Simply to give me a chance to prove my innocence, for one thing; I want +her to know that I never even had the desire to see Mr. James Denton, +much less to flirt with him!" +</p> +<p> +"Is that true?" asked the buyer, gazing at Faith very seriously. +</p> +<p> +The color mounted swiftly to the cheeks and brow of the young girl, but, +without turning her eyes, she answered: +</p> +<p> +"It is quite true, Miss Fairbanks." +</p> +<p> +"That would mean that we'd have to go to jail to see her," said the +buyer, slowly, "and I confess I'm not in love with that sort of +visiting." +</p> +<p> +"But surely it won't harm us," urged Faith, very eagerly. "You go first, +Miss Fairbanks, and tell her that I wish to see her; if I should go +first, I'm afraid she wouldn't see me." +</p> +<p> +"Very well, I'll do it," said Miss Fairbanks, after a minute. "I'm sorry +for the girl, and I'm not ashamed to admit it." +</p> +<p> +"Oh, thank you, Miss Fairbanks, and do try to make her see me!" cried +Faith. "I'm sure we can do some good, even if it is only by showing her +that we love her." +</p> +<p> +"My goodness! You don't love her, do you, Miss Marvin? Why, from all +accounts the girl intended to kill you!" +</p> +<p> +"Nevertheless, I love her—in a way," said Faith. "I can't forget +entirely that she is only an erring sister." +</p> +<p> +"Well, you are a good girl, if ever there lived one," said Miss +Fairbanks. "You are teaching me a whole lot about practical +Christianity." +</p> +<p> +"Goodness, that which is not practical—is poor stuff," said Faith, +bitterly. "I wouldn't be a hypocrite for all the world, and that is +exactly what sham goodness amounts to; still, I don't mean to say, Miss +Fairbanks, that I've always lived up to what I knew was my duty! I've +made lots of mistakes, but I was always sorry!" +</p> +<p> +She sighed a little as she turned away, but her sadness soon changed to +smiles as she saw Miss Dean standing beside her counter. +</p> +<p> +"How do you do, Miss Marvin?" asked the lady inspector, cordially. "I am +delighted to see you again, for I was afraid I was never going to! +Business is so very brisk," she said, laughingly, as she saw Faith's +questioning expression. "Why, I'm up to my ears in modern improvements! +I'm a carpenter, an engineer and a full-fledged plumber!" +</p> +<p> +"Do you have to know a lot about all such things?" asked Faith. +</p> +<p> +"Well, not a lot, exactly, but just enough. We have to know when stores +are lacking in either of the things mentioned." +</p> +<p> +"There have been many changes since you were here," said Faith, slyly. +"We have a new cloak-room now; you just ought to see it!" +</p> +<p> +"Oh, I have seen it, you can be sure!" said the lady, dryly. "I've been +up there sniffing around and inspecting every corner, and I'm glad to +say that I quite approve of it." +</p> +<p> +They both laughed heartily, but Faith was not quite satisfied. +</p> +<p> +"Can you see any changes that you did not suggest. Miss Dean?" she +asked, a little timidly. "Are there no improvements that look to you +like radical reforms, suggested by the divine spirit of love for +humanity?" +</p> +<p> +"Not one!" said Miss Dean, promptly. "I see nothing of the sort! There +are no changes here that could not have been effected by the law of +common decency! I should feel sorry to think that a man could not do +what was right without a divine suggestion. It would speak ill of his +sense of honor or justice toward humanity." +</p> +<p> +She paused a moment and then began speaking more slowly. There was no +resentment in her tones; she was merely reasoning the situation. +</p> +<p> +"I can see that the firm of Denton, Day & Co. has come to a crisis in +its business career, owing to the illogical stand recently taken by one +of its members. From a paying investment it has turned into a +philanthropical institution, and so long as it can live as such it will +be a great benefit to hundreds. Further than this, I hear that one man +has made an unjust fortune by withdrawing from the firm and that another +partner is watching like an eagle for an opportunity to swoop down and +settle his talons. Then, again, I understand from a reliable source that +Mr. Denton's wife is fast going insane from worry, and that his +scapegrace son is growing gray-headed over the outlook for his fortune. +Again, Mr. Denton himself, who has wrought all these changes, is being +looked upon by wise men as a driveling idiot, or, what is about as bad, +a religious fanatic, whose sudden determination to be good has sealed +the doom of his fortune." +</p> +<p> +As Miss Dean was speaking she looked steadily at Faith. She was watching +to see if her words had any effect, or if the girl was really incapable +of understanding the situation. +</p> +<p> +There was not a cloud of apprehension upon the fair girl's brow, yet her +eye was clear; she had comprehended every syllable. +</p> +<p> +"You approve of all this?" asked Miss Dean, in despair. +</p> +<p> +Faith's answer was merely a verse of Scripture, which she repeated so +firmly and with such intense eagerness that the low voice fairly +vibrated with repressed emotion. +</p> +<p> +"And be ye not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the +renewing of your souls, that ye may prove what is that good and +acceptable and perfect will of God." +</p> +<p> +"I am answered, as I fully expected to be," said Miss Dean, quietly. "It +is positively wonderful, that faith of yours. Why, it amounts to actual +exaltation of spirit!" +</p> +<p> +She shook hands with Faith and said good-by. They were the extremes of +goodness, accomplishing the same ends, but each working on a theory +incomprehensible to the other. +</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<a name="CH33"><!-- CH33 --></a> +<h2> + CHAPTER XXXIII. +</h2> + +<h3> +FAITH VISITS MAGGIE. +</h3> +<p> </p> +<p> +The next few days were busy ones for Faith, for, besides her work at the +store, she helped pack every evening, and tried in every way possible to +enter into the spirit of the new arrangements for living, which her +mother was planning so enthusiastically. +</p> +<p> +At last they were settled in a handsome flat in a neighborhood where +Faith was not afraid to let either little Dick or her mother go out +alone, and this one fact made her very happy. +</p> +<p> +Not a word had escaped her at the store about her altered conditions, +neither had she spoken again to her mother regarding her uncle. +</p> +<p> +Mrs. Marvin told her sadly that he had gone abroad immediately after +arranging the transfer of the $50,000 and settling all the details of +her newly acquired fortune. Faith breathed a sigh of relief, although +she felt sorry for her mother. It was evident that his humiliation was +deep and genuine. +</p> +<p> +She frequently caught herself wondering about his changed name. He was +born a Courtleigh, yet he had signed himself "Deering." +</p> +<p> +She decided at last that it was a purely personal matter. Doubtless it +was for some reason which she in her innocence would neither understand +nor approve. +</p> +<p> +Other things which she could understand were claiming her attention, so +that there was little time to spend in idle conjectures. +</p> +<p> +She waited eagerly as the days passed by for a word from Maggie Brady +that she was willing to see her. +</p> +<p> +At last it came, and Faith hurried down to the jail. She had no +difficulty whatever in securing Mr. Denton's permission. +</p> +<p> +At the first glimpse of Maggie behind prison bars she nearly burst into +a fit of crying. The girl was so haggard and pale that she hardly knew +her. +</p> +<p> +"I suppose you've come to gloat over me," were the prisoner's first +words, "but it don't matter to me. You can come if you want to." +</p> +<p> +"Oh, Miss Brady, don't say that," cried Faith, with the tears springing +to her eyes. "I have come to see you—to try and cheer you. Do, please, +believe me!" +</p> +<p> +"How do you expect to cheer me?" asked Maggie sullenly, as the keeper +opened the door of her cell and let her out into the corridor. +</p> +<p> +"I don't know that I can," said Faith, very sadly, "but you will let me +try, at least, won't you, Maggie?" +</p> +<p> +There was a yearning in her voice that the woman could not miss. She +stared at Faith steadily, as though trying to read her soul, and in a +moment her face softened and she spoke more gently. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, I have no doubt you are sorry for me, and all that," she said +slowly. "That's natural, but, see here; I don't want any sympathy." +</p> +<p> +"But you do want my friendship, don't you, Maggie?" said Faith; "and +that is what I have come to offer you—just my honest friendship." +</p> +<p> +In an instant the fiend in the girl woke again. +</p> +<p> +"Do you expect me to believe that?" she hissed in a whisper, "after +doing your best to cut me out with Jim Denton?" +</p> +<p> +She glanced at the girl with a perfect storm of fury in her eyes, but +Faith's glance did not waver; she only shook her head sadly. +</p> +<p> +"I am sorry you will not believe me, Maggie," she said softly, "but it +is the truth that I have never flirted with Mr. Denton, and the only +times I ever saw him in my life before this trouble arose were twice, +when you saw us together." +</p> +<p> +"I don't believe you," said her listener, sharply. "If you had never +flirted with him why did he send you candy?" +</p> +<p> +"I don't know, I am sure," said Faith hopelessly. "Perhaps he thought I +was young and silly, and would not know that he was insulting me." +</p> +<p> +Miss Brady looked at her with some surprise in her eyes. +</p> +<p> +"Did you consider it an insult?" she asked, slowly. +</p> +<p> +"Certainly," said Faith. "He had no right to do so. He forced it upon +me; I did not want it." +</p> +<p> +"And he has never made love to you?" asked the woman eagerly. +</p> +<p> +She was bending forward, staring at Faith with a strained expression +upon her features. To save her life, Faith could not help blushing. Hers +was a tell-tale face—it portrayed every emotion. +</p> +<p> +"I knew it! I knew it!" cried Miss Brady sharply. "You would not blush +as you are doing if he hadn't done it!" +</p> +<p> +"But he hasn't, I assure you," said Faith, as soon as she could speak. +"Mr. Denton has flattered me a little, of course, but I can honestly say +that he hasn't made love to me." +</p> +<p> +She was firm enough now, and her voice was very convincing. Miss Brady +gazed at her steadily and seemed impressed with her candor. +</p> +<p> +"Well, he hadn't better," she muttered sullenly. "Jim Denton had better +take care—" She stopped suddenly. "I had forgotten," she said bitterly; +"I am helpless and in prison." +</p> +<p> +"But I am sure you will soon be free, Miss Brady," said Faith, "for I +have utterly refused to appear against you, and—" +</p> +<p> +"What!" exclaimed the woman in a startled whisper. "You have refused to +appear against me—and you think me guilty?" +</p> +<p> +"If I knew you were guilty I would still refuse," said Faith stoutly, +"for if you sent that candy you must have been crazy!" +</p> +<p> +Slowly the frown lifted from the poor girl's brow. She kept gazing at +Faith as though she could hardly credit her senses. +</p> +<p> +"You will not accuse me," she stammered again. "Well, that's more mercy +than I ever expected on earth or in heaven." +</p> +<p> +"What is more, Maggie," continued Faith, "I want you to be my friend. +As soon as you are out of this place we can see more of each other." +</p> +<p> +This was a little too much for even Maggie Brady's nature. Her lips +trembled suspiciously before she answered. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, I won't get out; you mark my words. Old Denton will send me up, or, +if he don't, the District Attorney will do it." +</p> +<p> +"I don't think so," said Faith. "They won't if I can prevent it, and as +I am the person most interested, I think I should have some voice in the +matter." +</p> +<p> +"You understand, I don't admit that I did it, yet," said Miss Brady, +sullenly. "I have never admitted a thing, not even to the lawyer." +</p> +<p> +"Would you not be happier if you did admit it?" asked Faith, softly. "I +am sure it would relieve you to get it off of your conscience." +</p> +<p> +"Oh, it ain't troubling me much!" said the girl indifferently, "but I +will say that I'm glad the stuff didn't kill you!" +</p> +<p> +"But it might have killed Sam Watkins if the dog had not happened to be +there. Why, Miss Brady, just think; you might have killed a dozen +people!" +</p> +<p> +The woman shuddered and turned away her face. +</p> +<p> +"Well, as it didn't kill any one there's some hope for me," she said, +"and I want to live long enough to get square with Jim Denton!" +</p> +<p> +"What has he done to you?" cried Faith, impulsively. "I can't think what +he could do to make you hate him so bitterly." +</p> +<p> +"Hate him!" cried the girl. "Me hate Jim Denton! Why, you don't know +what you are talking about! Would I be jealous if I hated him?" +</p> +<p> +"But you certainly can't love him," said Faith, with another blush. "If +you did you could not harm him so much as in your thoughts. You would be +glad to suffer anything to be able to protect him." +</p> +<p> +"Oh, I've protected him all right," said the girl, with a sneer; then +she straightened up suddenly and said: +</p> +<p> +"I want to ask you a favor. I want you to bring old Denton down here," +she said eagerly. "Bring him yourself and let Fairbanks come with you. +Come any day you like. I'm not particular." +</p> +<p> +"I will ask Mr. Denton to come, if you wish," said Faith, a little +wonderingly, "and I am sure he will come. He is very sorry for you, +Maggie." +</p> +<p> +"He'll be sorrier, I'm thinking," was the answer. "But my time is up. +Good-by, Miss Marvin." +</p> +<p> +"Good-by," said Faith, sweetly, "and you believe me, Miss Brady. You +know now that I am innocent in regard to young Mr. Denton?" +</p> +<p> +"Bring the old man down, and I'll believe it," was her answer. "If you +will do that for me, I shall have some faith in your friendship." +</p> +<p> +When Faith got back to the store she went straight to Mr. Denton, and +repeated in as few words as possible her conversation with Maggie. +</p> +<p> +Mr. Denton had found out himself many things about his son, so Faith did +not hesitate to tell the entire story. +</p> +<p> +"I can't think that my son has really wronged the woman," he said, +sadly, "but he has been very reckless, I fear, and it is my fault in +great measure." +</p> +<p> +"And you will go to see her, will you not?" asked Faith, eagerly. +</p> +<p> +"With pleasure," said Mr. Denton, "and I trust that with our words and +our prayers, Miss Marvin, that we shall be able to bring the poor sinner +to repentance." +</p> +<p> +Faith left the private office feeling very hopeful and happy. She was +more so when she met Mr. Watkins just entering the building. +</p> +<p> +There was a hearty hand-clasp and an earnest greeting; then Mr. Watkins +told her briefly of his recovery and his prospects for the future. +</p> +<p> +"I am to have the same position; only a much larger salary," he said, +brightly, "which will enable us to live in comfort without Sam's +working. He can go to day school for at least another year." +</p> +<p> +"Everything is shining with hope down here," was Faith's answer. +"Really, Mr. Watkins, you will be astonished at the changes." +</p> +<p> +As briefly as possible she told him of her own good fortune, and giving +him her new address, she cautioned him to keep it secret for the +present. +</p> +<p> +"And now I have some news that will astonish you," said Mr. Watkins. "A +rich old lady, whom I once met, wrote me a letter the other day—she +knew my poor sweetheart, and wants to adopt her brother." +</p> +<p> +"Adopt little Dick?" cried Faith, in distress. "I can hardly think of +it, Mr. Watkins; yet we must look into it, of course. I must not let my +love for him stand in the way of his welfare." +</p> +<p> +"That is what I thought," said Mr. Watkins, soberly; "but do you chance +to know her, Miss Marvin? Her name is Mrs. Graham." +</p> +<p> +"Yes, indeed, she's the sweetest old lady in the world," cried Faith. +"She used to come in here and shop, and Mary and I both loved her." +</p> +<p> +"Well, I'm to see her to-night, and hear what she has to say. I will +tell you all about it later," he said as they parted. +</p> +<p> +"It will be a better home than we can give him," murmured Faith, +thoughtfully; "for while we have a few thousands, Mrs. Graham has +millions." +</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<a name="CH34"><!-- CH34 --></a> +<h2> + CHAPTER XXXIV. +</h2> + +<h3> +MR. FORBES REACHES A DECISION. +</h3> +<p> </p> +<p> +Early the next morning Mr. Denton was in his office. He was almost the +first person at the store nowadays, and, as far as he could, he looked +after every detail of business. +</p> +<p> +At half-past eight the sample room was thronged with drummers, and each +buyer was carefully inspecting the goods which he intended ordering for +his special department. +</p> +<p> +More than once Mr. Denton interrupted some low conversation where he +felt sure that a deal was being made which could not be adjusted to his +newly awakened conscience. +</p> +<p> +Then came the opening of the morning mail. He had always intrusted this +to others; now he gave it personal supervision. +</p> +<p> +Quite frequently he intercepted letters that he did not understand until +he had investigated closely, with the aid of a detective, but in each +instance the wrong-doer was treated with mercy, he was reasoned with and +cautioned, a repetition would mean discharge on the instant. +</p> +<p> +Thus, almost daily he found fresh evidences of dishonesty, either in the +firm's dealing with manufacturers or customers, or some treachery of +employees, whose opportunity came to them in the form of mail orders. +</p> +<p> +Goods were ordered in this way frequently which could not be supplied, +and an inferior grade was almost invariably substituted. When this was +done the "mail order clerk's" methods were simple—either he or the firm +were profiters through the transaction. +</p> +<p> +Mr. Denton finally thought out the solution of this unpleasant matter, +and on this particular morning he summoned the advertising manager for +the firm to his office. +</p> +<p> +Picking up a daily paper, he pointed to one of their attractive "ads." +</p> +<p> +"Bring me a sample of these goods, Green," he said, a little sternly; +"you can get them of Billings, the buyer in that department." +</p> +<p> +"Oh, that's only a blind, sir," was the startling answer, "Mr. Billings +has some old goods that he is trying to work off. They are not quite up +to the mark, but that 'ad' will sell them." +</p> +<p> +"Do you mean by that, Green, that we are misrepresenting our goods?" +asked Mr. Denton; "or, in other words, that we are advertising one grade +of goods and selling another?" +</p> +<p> +"That's about it," said the manager, looking a little puzzled, "but it's +nothing new, sir; we've always done it!" +</p> +<p> +Mr. Denton looked at him for a moment before he spoke. He could not +censure him for what they had "always" done, neither could he blame the +man for his own previous indifference on the subject. +</p> +<p> +"Don't do it again, Green," he said very sadly, "and send Mr. Billings +to me the minute you see him." +</p> +<p> +As Mr. Green went out Mr. Denton groaned aloud: "Would he ever get to +the end of his own dishonesty, or was he to be confronted daily by such +contemptible trickery?" +</p> +<p> +Just once he tried to justify his past methods, but with a sneer of +scorn he put such thoughts from him. +</p> +<p> +As he sat in deep meditation the door opened again. He looked up, and +saw that it was Mr. Forbes who had entered. +</p> +<p> +"I am glad to see you," said Mr. Denton, quickly, "and I hope you are +feeling entirely recovered." +</p> +<p> +Mr. Forbes bowed slightly, as he dropped into a chair. +</p> +<p> +"Mr. Forbes," said Mr. Denton, "I am ashamed of myself! I never knew +until to-day that I was such a scoundrel!" +</p> +<p> +He pointed to the paper that he still held in his hand, and in a very +few words repeated his late conversation. +</p> +<p> +"That is necessary in business," said Mr. Forbes shortly, "and it is, to +say the least, peculiar that you shouldn't know it!" +</p> +<p> +"Well, it's an infamous trick!" was Mr. Denton's rejoinder. "Just think +of the poor people whom we have defrauded in that manner!" +</p> +<p> +"I prefer to think of the dollars it has brought into our pockets," said +Mr. Forbes sullenly, "and now that we are on the subject, I may as well +say, Mr. Denton, that I am sick and tired of this whole idiotic +business!" +</p> +<p> +"Do you wish to sell out?" +</p> +<p> +Mr. Denton spoke calmly. "If so, name your price while I have the money +to pay you." +</p> +<p> +"Oh, you do expect to fail, then? You still have sense enough for that!" +said Mr. Forbes quickly. "Then, why not give up your fad at once and run +the business properly?" +</p> +<p> +"Do you mean as we have been running it?" asked Mr. Denton, with a sharp +glance at him. +</p> +<p> +"Certainly, with a few modifications, perhaps," was the equally sharp +answer. +</p> +<p> +"Never!" +</p> +<p> +Mr. Denton's voice rang out like the blast of a trumpet. +</p> +<p> +"Go back to such infamous practices? Never!" +</p> +<p> +"Very well, then," said Mr. Forbes, with sudden anger in his voice, "I +do wish to sell out! What will you give me for my interest?" +</p> +<p> +Mr. Denton wheeled around, and looked at him eagerly. +</p> +<p> +"I had hoped you would see things differently," he said at last. "I +thought that perhaps you would appreciate my desire, which is to make +myself more worthy of the God that made me." +</p> +<p> +Mr. Forbes shifted uneasily, and finally rose from his chair. He was +plainly disturbed over the situation. +</p> +<p> +"I do appreciate your efforts, and I honor them, in a way," he said +slowly, "but I have not the courage to make such a sacrifice myself, and +I very much doubt if such a sacrifice is demanded. A proper observance +of religion is enough; a man need not crucify his worldly ambitions in +order to be worthy of heaven." +</p> +<p> +"'Let him take up his cross and follow Me,'" quoted Mr. Denton. "My +cross is to do exactly as I am doing. It is not easy to bear, but I am +happy in bearing it." +</p> +<p> +"But where will it lead to?" asked Mr. Forbes eagerly. "What proof have +you that your reward will come? This may be a delusion that you are +following." +</p> +<p> +"I am willing to risk it," said Mr. Denton, solemnly. "It is the best a +man can do to follow his conscience." +</p> +<p> +"But there are duties to one's family that must be considered," urged +Mr. Forbes. "A man cannot rightfully ignore the fact that he is of the +earth, earthy, and that there is something tangible needed before we +soar into the mysteries." +</p> +<p> +"He must ignore nothing," said Mr. Denton, gravely, "but, as I said +before, he must follow his conscience." +</p> +<p> +"Well, I should like to stay with you, but I cannot do it," said Mr. +Forbes, "for, while I sympathize with your feelings in many respects, +yet I cannot indorse your unbusiness-like actions. If you think my +interest here is worth fifty thousand dollars, you can give me that +amount, and I will go—then you will be free to spend your fortune +according to any freak of your fancy." +</p> +<p> +"You are more just in your dealings than I expected," said Mr. Denton, +flushing a little. "After my experience with Mr. Day, I did not look for +any mercy." +</p> +<p> +"Oh, I have a conscience, too," said Mr. Forbes, grimly, "and while I +did not know it until lately, it has made me very uncomfortable, I can +assure you." +</p> +<p> +There was a genuine ring in his voice as he spoke, and as Mr. Denton +detected it, he rose and placed his hand upon his shoulder. +</p> +<p> +"Better stay with me, brother, and let us work together," he said +gently. "In the vineyard of the Master there can be no unrewarded +labor." +</p> +<p> +Mr. Forbes shook his head and turned away. +</p> +<p> +"We can attend to the legal details some other time," he said briefly. +"You are busy to-day, so I will not detain you." +</p> +<p> +Mr. Denton sat down at his desk again, and as the door closed behind his +partner he bowed his head upon his bosom. +</p> +<p> +"Alone and yet not alone," he whispered softly. "God grant me strength +to do my duty, and if my lot is failure, let me accept it bravely. It is +all a man can do. He must follow his conscience." +</p> +<p> +The door opened again, and Faith Marvin entered. She had her hat on, +and was ready for the visit to Maggie Brady. +</p> +<p> +"I wonder what she wishes to see me for?" said her employer, musingly. +"Is she desirous of upbraiding me, do you think, Miss Marvin?" +</p> +<p> +"Why should she upbraid you?" asked Faith, very soberly. "You certainly +are not to blame for the actions of your son, and as for her arrest, you +simply had to do it." +</p> +<p> +"She may say that I should have protected her from him," he answered. +"Some way I blame myself continually in that particular direction." +</p> +<p> +"A girl should be able to protect herself," said Faith sternly. "I can't +quite understand such weakness in women, unless it is, as poor Miss +Jennings used to say, 'the iniquities of the fathers visited upon +generations of the innocent.'" +</p> +<p> +"I believe that fully," said Mr. Denton with a sigh. "It is one reason +why I am merciful in my own boy's case—my sins have been perpetuated! +Can I ever efface them?" +</p> +<p> +They left the building together, going out of one of the side doors. +Just as they reached the sidewalk a handsome carriage drew up before the +entrance. +</p> +<p> +"Why, that is my own carriage!" exclaimed Mr. Denton quickly. +</p> +<p> +The next instant James Denton sprang from the carriage and came face to +face with Faith and his father. +</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<a name="CH35"><!-- CH35 --></a> +<h2> + CHAPTER XXXV. +</h2> + +<h3> +MAGGIE BRADY'S SECRET. +</h3> +<p> </p> +<p> +"What is it? Is anything wrong?" asked Mr. Denton quickly. +</p> +<p> +"Mother is worse," was the short answer. "She's gone out of her head +completely." +</p> +<p> +Mr. Denton paused and rubbed his brow perplexedly. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, what is it, sir?" asked Faith eagerly. "Is your wife really ill? I +have heard it rumored that she was, but I did not know whether to +believe it." +</p> +<p> +"She is, indeed!" exclaimed young Denton, looking angrily at his father; +"and she has every reason to be. It is only natural." +</p> +<p> +"Hush!" exclaimed Mr. Denton sternly. "You shall not criticise my +actions. As your father, I expect and demand your silence. I am +responsible to God alone—not to my wife or family." +</p> +<p> +"Well, you will have her to answer for, just the same," said the son, +sullenly. "She can't see you throwing away your money and keep her +senses much longer." +</p> +<p> +"For shame!" cried Faith hotly. "Can't you see, Mr. Denton, that your +father is sorely distressed? How dare you trample upon his feelings in +such a brutal manner?" +</p> +<p> +James Denton wheeled around and faced the speaker. +</p> +<p> +"My mother is going crazy," he said, almost gently. "You must pardon me, +Miss Marvin, but I love my mother." +</p> +<p> +Mr. Denton opened the carriage door and motioned for Faith to enter. +There was a look in his face that permitted no misunderstanding. +</p> +<p> +"Your mother's doctor and nurse are with her, are they not? Then I shall +not be needed for an hour, and I have an important engagement. I am +going to call upon Maggie Brady, one of my son's unfortunate victims," +he added slowly. +</p> +<p> +James Denton turned as pale as death as he listened to these words. For +a moment it looked as if he were about to spring forward and drag his +father from the carriage in order to prevent this visit. In a second +they were rattling away from the door. Faith's last glance showed the +young man still standing motionless and livid. +</p> +<p> +"He fears something from the interview," was her first quick thought. +She glanced up at Mr. Denton. It was plainly to be seen by his face that +he shared her suspicions. +</p> +<p> +They were admitted at once to the corridor of the jail, and the keeper +allowed Miss Brady to join them. +</p> +<p> +"How are you to-day, Maggie?" asked Faith as sweetly as she could. "You +see, I have kept my promise. I have brought Mr. Denton to see you." +</p> +<p> +"My poor child!" said Mr. Denton, offering Miss Brady his hand. "I am +more than sorry to have been the means of bringing you here; but I had +no alternative. I had to do my duty." +</p> +<p> +"Oh, I don't lay it up against you," said the girl, almost coldly. She +had drawn away from him quickly and put her hands behind her. "I suppose +you thought I was a dangerous person to be at large—well, perhaps you +were right; there's no telling what a jealous woman will do. Did they +tell you, Mr. Denton, that I was jealous of Miss Marvin?" +</p> +<p> +There was a steely ring to her tones as she said the words, and the +glance of her eyes was both cold and cruel. +</p> +<p> +"I heard that it was on account of my son," was Mr. Denton's sad answer. +"I am very sorry indeed, Miss Brady, if James ever deceived you." +</p> +<p> +"Oh, he hasn't deceived me a bit," said the girl quickly. "On the +contrary, he took pains to parade his attentions before me." +</p> +<p> +She laughed a harsh, grating laugh as she answered. Mr. Denton looked +puzzled. He could not understand her. +</p> +<p> +"But perhaps you expected too much from his attentions," said Mr. Denton +gently. "Young men are often unscrupulous and say more than they mean to +young women. Perhaps he led you to believe that he cared more for you +than he did, and in this way gained your affections and did not +appreciate them." +</p> +<p> +"He did all that," said the girl, very coldly; "and I was not the woman +to endure such treatment calmly. I'm sorry if I was mistaken in Miss +Marvin's part in the matter. She says she was innocent, and I'm willing +to believe her." +</p> +<p> +"Well, what can I do for you?" asked Mr. Denton kindly. "I have already +tried to get your case dismissed, and as Miss Marvin refuses to appear +against you I think we shall be successful. But if there is anything +that James has done—any wrong that I can right, you have only to say +so, and I will try to do my duty." +</p> +<p> +Miss Brady stared at the speaker in undisguised amazement. She could +hardly believe that it was Mr. Denton who was speaking. As her employer +he had always been cold and distant. She had never looked on him as +anything more or less than a despot and tyrant. +</p> +<p> +"Mr. Denton is perfectly sincere, Maggie," said Faith quickly as she +noticed the amazement depicted on her countenance. +</p> +<p> +"But I don't understand," said the girl, still staring. +</p> +<p> +"Let me explain," said Faith quickly, "and you must try and believe me, +Maggie. Both Mr. Denton and myself are thinking only of your good. We +want to help you to see this awful sin which you have committed in the +right light—that is, as a sin not only against yourself and your fellow +beings, but against the God who made you and who wishes you to love +Him." +</p> +<p> +As she spoke she put her arms around the girl in an affectionate manner. +Maggie did not draw away, but remained silent and passive. +</p> +<p> +"You see, Maggie, you are not wronging any one by your bad temper and +your stubbornness as much as you are wronging yourself. These sins +always react on one's self, you know. They may hurt and grieve others in +some degree, but they sear your own heart with the wounds of agony and +shut the light of God's tenderness from your soul. Can you not see it, +Maggie, how you have marred your own happiness? Do try, dear, to humble +your stubborn spirit? Ask God to help you forgive those who wrong you. +Believe me, it will make you far happier than this cowardly revenge." +</p> +<p> +Faith's tones were so beseeching that Mr. Denton was touched beyond +expression. He had never seen a more holy sight than this young girl +pleading with tears in her eyes with an erring sister. +</p> +<p> +"It's easy for you to talk," muttered Maggie finally. "Your life has +been different from mine. What do you know of trouble?" +</p> +<p> +"A great deal," said Faith quickly. "If I did not I could not feel as I +do. Why, it is through my own experience that I have come to feel this +sympathy for others." +</p> +<p> +"But you don't understand," said the woman more bitterly. "By 'trouble' +I do not mean just hard luck and poverty." +</p> +<p> +"I think I do understand, Maggie," said Faith, more softly. "And I can +still say sincerely that I am very sorry for you. I believe that you +have been more sinned against than any of us realize." +</p> +<p> +"I have, indeed!" cried Miss Brady, sharply. Her lips twitched +convulsively and tears trembled on her lashes. +</p> +<p> +"Then God will surely pity you," cried Faith, almost cheerily. "He will +understand the length and breadth of your temptation, Maggie, as well as +the injustice which you have suffered." +</p> +<p> +The poor girl gazed at Faith a moment and then burst out crying. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, I have been wronged most fearfully," she whispered between her +sobs. "And I could not help it. I could bear the agony no longer!" +</p> +<p> +As she spoke she thrust her hand into the bosom of her dress. In another +second she had drawn forth a crumpled paper. +</p> +<p> +"Read it!" she said hoarsely, holding it out toward Mr. Denton. "Read +it, and tell me if you blame me for doing as I did, and after you have +read it say again that you will help me!" +</p> +<p> +With a quick wave of horror coursing through his brain, Mr. Denton took +the paper and quickly unfolded it. +</p> +<p> +Only a glance was needed to show him what it was. Mr. Denton staggered +to a chair, his face pale and haggard. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, what is it?" asked Faith, looking from one to the other. +</p> +<p> +Maggie Brady gave a short, hoarse laugh as she replied: +</p> +<p> +"Only the certificate of my marriage to young James Denton!" +</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<a name="CH36"><!-- CH36 --></a> +<h2> + CHAPTER XXXVI. +</h2> + +<h3> +JIM DENTON'S CONFESSION. +</h3> +<p> </p> +<p> +As Maggie Brady made her startling announcement Faith's heart seemed to +stop beating. She felt faint and dizzy, and spread out her hands before +her as if to ward off something that was fast overcoming her. +</p> +<p> +She tried to speak, but the words died upon her lips. In another moment +she lost consciousness entirely and slipped heavily to the floor of the +corridor. +</p> +<p> +Mr. Denton sprang to his feet and attempted to raise her, while Maggie +Brady stood like a statue, with her hands clasped tightly together. +</p> +<p> +"Poor girl! your news has shocked her," said Mr. Denton absently. "She +was over-anxious and excited about your welfare." +</p> +<p> +"Men are easily deceived," was Maggie Brady's sad answer. "I can explain +her condition more reasonably than that—the girl is in love with your +son—my husband! I thought so before, now I am absolutely certain!" +</p> +<p> +One of the jailers came in just then and led Maggie to her cell, and as +the door closed behind her Faith came slowly to her senses. +</p> +<p> +When she had revived completely, Mr. Denton led her quickly from the +jail. He was too shocked and grieved himself to wish to remain another +moment. During the ride back to the store there was hardly a word spoken +in the carriage, for both Mr. Denton and Faith were in the most +distressed condition of mind. +</p> +<p> +In Mr. Denton's mind two thoughts were uppermost, his son's wickedness +in the past and his duty in the future. At any other time he would have +known how to act, but now he was sorely puzzled. Faith, on the other +hand, was hiding her face from almost shame, for she had learned a +secret in that brief moment at the jail which was overwhelming her soul +in a flood of self-censure. +</p> +<p> +The fair face of James Denton was constantly before her. His pleading +eyes and glances of admiration haunted her. She felt, what she would not +own even admit to herself, that in spite of his wickedness she was +deeply in love with him. +</p> +<p> +"It does not seem possible," Mr. Denton said at last. "I know my son was +thoughtless, but I did not believe him wicked." +</p> +<p> +Faith could not speak; she was crying softly. The knowledge of her love +had completely crushed her. +</p> +<p> +"Let me go home, please," she murmured, as her employer helped her from +the carriage. "I am afraid I am too nervous to remain at the store." +</p> +<p> +"Certainly," said Mr. Denton, "and I shall soon follow your example, for +if my wife is as ill as my son said, it is my duty to neglect everything +and remain at her bedside." +</p> +<p> +"But has she really lost her reason?" asked Faith, a little timidly. +</p> +<p> +Mr. Denton sighed heavily before he answered. +</p> +<p> +"She is worrying unnecessarily to a great extent, I think," he said +calmly. "She sees in my new methods and actions only the probable +financial results; she cannot see that I am honestly trying to do my +duty—to share my large fortune with my fellow-beings." +</p> +<p> +"But is it not possible to follow your conscience and still prosper?" +asked Faith, anxiously. +</p> +<p> +"That is a question that I cannot answer, Miss Marvin, at this stage of +the experiment, but, judging from the present outlook, godliness cannot +be profitable from a worldly point of view. But from the spiritual, I am +satisfied that it is a success; the consciousness of well-doing is +enough for the Christian." +</p> +<p> +Faith pondered over his words as she hurried home. She was glad that he +had awakened a new train of thought, as it enabled her to compose +herself from her late excitement. +</p> +<p> +When she reached her mother's home she found both Mr. Watkins and Mrs. +Graham, who had called to get acquainted with little Dick and to tell +Mrs. Marvin their plans for his future. It was hard to part with him, +but it was clearly for the best. Mrs. Graham could give him advantages +that would be impossible to Mrs. Marvin. +</p> +<p> +This transaction permitted Faith to regain her composure entirely, so +that when they were gone she was able to tell her mother all that had +happened at the jail. +</p> +<p> +Mrs. Marvin was shocked and pained at the recital. +</p> +<p> +"Poor child," she said, sorrowfully, "to think she is really his wife. I +wonder what could have been their motive for keeping it a secret!" +</p> +<p> +Faith shook her head. She did not care to even conjecture. It was a +subject that cut her heart like a two-edged sword, for, try as she +would, she could not condemn James Denton. +</p> +<p> +An hour later the maid brought her in a card. Faith could hardly control +her feelings as she saw that her caller was no other than young Denton. +</p> +<p> +"He must have been following me," she said to her mother, "else how did +he know that I was not at the store?" +</p> +<p> +Her mother smiled sadly, but did not answer. +</p> +<p> +Faith entered the parlor as calmly as she could, but her limbs were +trembling and the tears were very near to falling. She knew that she +should spurn the coward, whom her whole soul despised, but she could not +do it; her strength deserted her. +</p> +<p> +James Denton rose suddenly as she entered the door. He looked like a +ghost—he was so pale and haggard. Before she realized it, Faith +extended her hand, then she drew it back quickly with a sudden +revulsion. +</p> +<p> +"No, don't offer to shake hands with me," said James Denton, slowly. "I +am not fit to touch the hem of your garment, Miss Marvin." +</p> +<p> +Faith looked at him as he stood there, pale, hollow-eyed and dejected, +then with almost a cry she burst out impulsively: +</p> +<p> +"Oh, how could you do such a thing, Mr. Denton? How did you dare to +wrong that poor girl as you have? Don't you know that in so doing you +have branded yourself a coward?" +</p> +<p> +"So she has told you and saved me from doing so?" +</p> +<p> +Young Denton breathed a sigh of relief. He had come too late with his +awful confession. +</p> +<p> +"Yes, she told us, your father and me," said Faith, faintly. "Oh, it is +dreadful—dreadful; I can't understand it!" +</p> +<p> +"Neither can I," said James Denton, with a tinge of bitterness in his +voice. "I have never understood how I came to do it. I was a fool—an +imbecile—a lunatic, Miss Marvin. I married the girl without even +dreaming that I loved her." +</p> +<p> +Faith stared at him in surprise as he spoke the words. She was conscious +even of a flutter of happiness as she listened to the confession. +</p> +<p> +"Then why did you marry her?" she asked at last. She watched eagerly to +hear his answer. +</p> +<p> +"It was all done for a lark," began the young man. "We were out with +some friends, Miss Brady and I, and I—I suppose we had all been +drinking too much; then some one suggested a wedding, and I was fool +enough to play the bridegroom." +</p> +<p> +"And you did not love her?" +</p> +<p> +Faith asked the question slowly. +</p> +<p> +"Not a bit, Miss Marvin; I liked her, of course. But she was in love +with me; I discovered that later." +</p> +<p> +"Why did you not own her as your wife?" +</p> +<p> +Faith hardly knew her own voice as she asked this. It hardly seemed +possible that she could speak so calmly. +</p> +<p> +Mr. Denton looked at her sharply before he replied. +</p> +<p> +"You can guess that surely," he said very softly. "Rascal that I was, I +was ashamed to own her." +</p> +<p> +After a minute he went on with almost desperate calmness, as though he +was determined to tell the whole of the distressing secret. +</p> +<p> +"I told her that dad would disown me if he knew that I had married her, +but that if she would wait until I was twenty-one, that there would be +no more danger of my losing my money. Mag likes money, you know, and she +consented readily, but when she saw me flirting with the other girls, +as I had to, you see, to make every one think that I was still single, +her jealousy got the best of her, and you know what happened." +</p> +<p> +"Well, you will have to own her now," said Faith in almost a whisper. +</p> +<p> +She had been praying silently for strength to say it calmly. +</p> +<p> +"Never!" cried young Denton with a flash of anger in his eyes. +</p> +<p> +"Own a murderess for my wife—never! never! Miss Marvin!" +</p> +<p> +"Then I shall despise you," said Faith, with a flush of color in her +cheeks. "For it is the only thing you can do to right the wrong that you +have done her." +</p> +<p> +"But I can't. Indeed, I can't!" cried the young man, wildly. "Don't you +see, Miss Marvin, that I have nothing to give her, no love, no respect, +not even friendship?" +</p> +<p> +"But you must own her, just the same," said Faith, decidedly. "Maggie +was a good girl once; it is love for you that has ruined her." +</p> +<p> +James Denton was even paler than when he entered as he answered her, and +there was a tone in his voice that made Faith shudder. +</p> +<p> +"Two wrongs cannot make one right, Miss Marvin," he said, firmly, "and +to live with Maggie would be as great a wrong as the first, for I cannot +do so honorably while I love another." +</p> +<p> +Faith looked up at him quickly and found his gaze riveted on her face. +For a moment she seemed drawn to him as if by a magnet, then the +revulsion came again and she raised both hands imploringly. +</p> +<p> +"Go, go, Mr. Denton!" she cried in a sharp whisper. "Please go before +you say what is in your heart, for your words can only add cruel mockery +to dishonor!" +</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<a name="CH37"><!-- CH37 --></a> +<h2> + CHAPTER XXXVII. +</h2> + +<h3> +THE BLESSING OF REPENTANCE. +</h3> +<p> </p> +<p> +A week passed before Faith went to the store again. She was too utterly +miserable to think of resuming her duties. +</p> +<p> +Mr. Watkins called on her every night to bring her news of the store, +and by this means she kept track of all Mr. Denton's changes. +</p> +<p> +One night Mr. Watkins had mentioned a number of things which had +benefited the clerks as well as the customers, and in concluding his +recital he sighed very heavily, an indication to Faith that there was +something more behind it. +</p> +<p> +"Why do you sigh, Mr. Watkins?" she asked, abruptly. "It seems to me +that these changes should bring nothing but smiles, they are such +necessary reforms, yet they have been so long in coming." +</p> +<p> +"I was thinking of Mr. Denton, I suppose," was the answer. "He's such a +good man now that I hate to see him go to the wall completely. Why, Miss +Marvin, have you any idea what these reforms have cost? I cannot tell +you the figures exactly, of course; but the bills for the past month are +enough to frighten one. If he continues his present methods he will not +be in business a year longer." +</p> +<p> +"I thought so," said Mrs. Marvin, quickly. "Religion and business cannot +be combined. The man who follows his conscience is sure to lose money." +</p> +<p> +"But he gains that which is better," spoke up Faith, quickly. "Ask Mr. +Denton if this is not true. He has found it so already." +</p> +<p> +"Well, his poor wife doesn't share his sentiments," said Mr. Watkins, +"for she has worried so fearfully over his enormous losses already that +she is now on the verge of losing her reason." +</p> +<p> +"Poor soul," said Mrs. Marvin; "she must be a very worldly woman, for, +while extreme poverty is cruel, still, she will probably never reach +that condition." +</p> +<p> +"I am not so sure," replied Mr. Watkins, "but even moderate comfort +would be cruel to her, for she was born and has always lived in the lap +of luxury." +</p> +<p> +"I suppose the news of her son's wickedness has distressed her also," +said Mrs. Marvin, slowly. +</p> +<p> +Faith's cheeks flushed hotly, and she bent her head over her sewing, +</p> +<p> +"She has tried to get him to have the marriage annulled," was Mr. +Watkins' answer. "It could easily be done, as both parties were +intoxicated." +</p> +<p> +"And will not the young man agree?" asked Mrs. Marvin, mildly. "I should +think he would be just the kind to jump at the opportunity." +</p> +<p> +"His father will not hear of it," said Mr. Watkins, "and of late even +the young man himself has shown a willingness to own her." +</p> +<p> +Faith raised her head with a light shining in her eyes. +</p> +<p> +"Then he is not altogether bad," she said, very quickly. "If he does +right to Maggie now we ought all to forgive him." +</p> +<p> +She spoke so earnestly that, both her mother and Mr. Watkins looked at +her sharply. +</p> +<p> +If her mother understood her eagerness, she did not betray it, but with +Mr. Watkins it was different. He understood and was nettled. +</p> +<p> +"Is Mr. Day in business again?" asked Mrs. Marvin, who seemed suddenly +to find it necessary to change the conversation. +</p> +<p> +"No, he has gone abroad to spend his money," answered Mr. Watkins. "He +says that he made a small fortune out of another man's religion, and +that is far more than he has ever made out of his own, for that was +never known to bring him in a penny." +</p> +<p> +"That is a dreadful thing to say," replied Mrs. Marvin, slowly, "for, +while I do not get much comfort out of my belief in God, still, I +realize that, it is my own stubbornness that keeps me from it. Some day +I hope to understand it better." +</p> +<p> +"You certainly will, dear mother," said Faith, brightly, "but if you +would only stop trying to understand! If you would only accept it as a +little child, and then trust to the Heavenly Father to lead you!" +</p> +<p> +"I will some day, Faith—I am sure of it," answered her mother. "I shall +be saved, not only through my own faith, but through that of my +daughter." +</p> +<p> +"Her trust is sublime," said Mr. Watkins, gently. "I shall never forget +how she comforted my poor Mary." +</p> +<p> +"She comforts every one," said Mrs. Marvin, smiling, "I named her +rightly—don't you think so, Mr. Watkins?" +</p> +<p> +"You did, indeed," said the young man, tenderly. "It will be a lucky +man, indeed, who can say 'My Faith,' and by those words indicate your +daughter, Mrs. Marvin." +</p> +<p> +"Oh, don't!" said Faith, laughing. "You are mocking, Mr. Watkins." +</p> +<p> +Like her mother, she, too, found it convenient to change the subject. +</p> +<p> +"And how about Mr. Forbes? Have you heard anything of his plans?" she +asked, eagerly. "I have heard it rumored that he, too, was trying to +follow his conscience." +</p> +<p> +Mr. Watkins smiled as he answered her question. +</p> +<p> +"He is trying to do what many men have done before him. He is trying to +buy his conscience with the money he makes dishonestly, or, in other +words, he is a sinner on week-days and a saint on Sundays. Why, they +tell me he has started in business for himself, and with what he can +gouge from the just wages of his employees he pays pew rent and gives to +the heathen. It is the same old story—hypocrisy and greed! Drain the +blood of the poor in order to build monuments to their ashes!" +</p> +<p> +Mr. Watkins spoke bitterly and with a tightening of the lips. +</p> +<p> +He was thinking of Miss Jennings as he finished his utterance. +</p> +<p> +After he had gone Mrs. Marvin spoke suddenly to Faith. +</p> +<p> +"Do you know, dear," she said, simply, "I believe Mr. Watkins is +learning to love you! He is a fine young man. Do you think you could +care for him?" +</p> +<p> +"Oh, no, no, mother! Don't ever speak of such a thing!" cried Faith, as +if the suggestion hurt her. +</p> +<p> +Mrs. Marvin looked at her keenly. Her suspicions were being verified. +</p> +<p> +The next morning Faith was well enough to report for duty, and the very +atmosphere of the store seemed changed as she entered. +</p> +<p> +Miss Fairbanks greeted her with honest cordiality. There were tears in +her eyes as she spoke to Faith of Maggie Brady. +</p> +<p> +"Poor girl," she whispered; "she feels dreadful about her lot. She +wishes she had kept silent forever about being Jim's wife and allowed +him to free himself, which he could have done very easily." +</p> +<p> +"But I thought she loved him," said Faith, faintly. +</p> +<p> +"So she does," was the answer; "but she knows it was wrong for her to +marry as she did. She says she knew he did not love her, and felt sure +that he would never own her." +</p> +<p> +"But he does now," said Faith, with a questioning look at the buyer. +</p> +<p> +"Yes, I believe he has admitted that she is really his wife, but the +poor girl has demanded that the marriage be annulled." +</p> +<p> +Faith looked up eagerly, but she could not frame her question. +</p> +<p> +"She has been praying, she tells me," said Miss Fairbanks, continuing, +"and she says it is her duty to give Jim up, for to live with him would +be wicked when he does not love her." +</p> +<p> +Faith heard only the first words that Miss Fairbanks had spoken. Poor +Maggie had been praying; then her heart was softened. +</p> +<p> +"She is out, you know, and free as air," continued Miss Fairbanks, "but +she is not coming back to the store. Mr. Denton has made her an +allowance." +</p> +<p> +"And you, Miss Fairbanks?" asked Faith, very softly. "Are you praying, +too, or is it not yet the Lord's time? I am anxious for you to be happy +in the 'light of His countenance.'" +</p> +<p> +Miss Fairbanks laid her hand upon the young girl's shoulder. +</p> +<p> +"Thank God," she said devoutly; "at last I am praying." +</p> +<p> +As Faith moved on toward her counter she saw Miss Jones waiting for her. +There was something in the girl's manner that struck Faith as +unfamiliar. +</p> +<p> +"Miss Marvin," she said, the moment Faith stepped behind the counter, "I +am a rude, treacherous person, and I have wronged you cruelly! Have you +the grace in your heart to forgive a traitor?" +</p> +<p> +Faith grasped her hand, while the tears sprang to her eyes. +</p> +<p> +"There is nothing to forgive, dear Miss Jones," she said, gently. "We +have been sisters from the first, only you did not understand it; but +tell me, is it through Miss Fairbanks that you feel so differently?" +</p> +<p> +"Partly through her and partly through Mag Brady," was the honest +answer. "Mag has told me how you talked to her, and she also told me +what her husband said, that it was through your influence that he was +now willing to own her." +</p> +<p> +"Did Mr. Denton say that?" asked Faith, speaking slowly. +</p> +<p> +"He did," said Miss Jones, promptly, "and Mag just blesses you for it." +</p> +<p> +If Faith had felt one misgiving over that particular action, it vanished +now like a bit of vapor. +</p> +<p> +Mag "blessed" her for the words that had hurt her so to speak. Surely +there was balm for all wounds, even those which burned the deepest. +</p> +<p> +Faith's morning was the happiest she had ever known in the store and at +the luncheon hour, as she went to the cloak-room, she had but one wish +in her heart, and that was for the conversion of wicked Lou Willis. +</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<a name="CH38"><!-- CH38 --></a> +<h2> + CHAPTER XXXVIII. +</h2> + +<h3> +LOU IS CAUGHT AT LAST. +</h3> +<p> </p> +<p> +As Faith passed Mr. Denton's office on the way to the cloak-room she +heard a woman's voice raised to a very high pitch, and immediately +recognized it as belonging to Miss Willis. +</p> +<p> +She had hardly had time to wonder what had occurred, when the door flew +open and she had a good look right straight into the office. +</p> +<p> +Ben Tyler, the detective, was standing with his hand on the door and a +very ugly expression on his face, while a few feet further back stood +Mr. Denton, apparently trying to reason with the infuriated woman. +</p> +<p> +One glance was enough to tell Faith what had happened. Lou had been +stealing again, and the detective had caught her. +</p> +<p> +For a moment the young girl hardly knew what to do, and in that +momentary hesitation she heard what Lou was saying. +</p> +<p> +"He's a sneak and a liar!" she screamed, pointing at the detective. "He +can't prove that I stole anything! I defy him to do it!" +</p> +<p> +"But the goods were found in your pocket," said Mr. Denton, firmly. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, that doesn't prove anything," was the girl's quick answer. "It's +very easy for any one to put stolen goods in my pocket; it's been done +before, and both of you know it!" +</p> +<p> +"But I saw you take the watch," said the detective, angrily. "So what's +the use of denying it any longer!" +</p> +<p> +Faith was hurrying away now as fast as she could go. She knew it was not +her place to interfere in such matters. +</p> +<p> +"A month ago I might have done so," she whispered to herself, "but now +that Mr. Denton is a Christian, he will deal mercifully with her." +</p> +<p> +When she reached the cloak-room the utmost excitement prevailed, and +the first words that Faith heard distinctly were spoken by the "head of +stock" in the jewelry department. +</p> +<p> +"I've suspected her for a long time," she said, a little viciously. +"She's a good-for-nothing, anyway, who isn't above stealing!" +</p> +<p> +"They say her father was a thief; so it runs in the family, I guess," +said another voice; "and then, her mother was a bad character; so Lou +comes by it honestly!" +</p> +<p> +"Oh, girls! don't!" cried Faith, who could endure it no longer. "Please +don't say such cruel things! It is dreadful to bear them!" +</p> +<p> +"Well, they are true, so why shouldn't we say them?" asked one. +</p> +<p> +"She's been caught 'dead to rights,' so what's the use of mincing +matters?" said another. +</p> +<p> +"But does it do any good to bring up all these things?" asked Faith. "If +the poor girl 'comes honestly by them,' should we not be charitable even +in speaking of her?" +</p> +<p> +"There is something in that," spoke up a woman that Faith did not know, +"It's another case of the 'sins of the fathers being visited upon the +children.' If there was nothing else in the world to keep me from +believing in a God, that verse in the Bible would surely do it!" +</p> +<p> +"Well, I don't need that verse," said another voice, "for the misery and +injustice on earth are enough to prove that no God of love or mercy +could possibly have ordained it." +</p> +<p> +"But don't we make a great deal of the injustice and misery for +ourselves?" asked Faith, very soberly; "for instance, hasn't Lou just +made a lot of misery for herself? She knew she could not go on stealing +forever without being punished." +</p> +<p> +"She probably couldn't help it," was the hesitating answer. "Perhaps she +is a kleptomaniac—you know there are such people." +</p> +<p> +"Oh, but they are always rich people, who can afford to pay the judge +for letting them off easy!" said one of the girls, laughing. "When a +poor woman steals she's an out-and-out thief; but when a rich woman +steals she's a kleptomaniac." +</p> +<p> +A laugh followed this explanation, but Faith could not join in it. Her +thoughts were too full of the fate which had overtaken Lou, and which +she knew was only a natural consequence. +</p> +<p> +Suddenly there was a scream from the direction of Mr. Denton's office, +then another, and another, each more shrill and vibrating. +</p> +<p> +Without a moment's hesitation every girl in the cloak-room started for +the stairs. When they got there they saw a sight that made them pale +with horror. +</p> +<p> +Lou Willis was struggling like a maniac between two officers, who were +trying to snap a pair of handcuffs on her wrists. +</p> +<p> +They were both powerful men, but the girl was resisting them fiercely. +She slapped and scratched their faces, all the time shrieking her +vituperations. +</p> +<p> +They finally succeeded in locking the "bracelets" and forcing her into a +chair—she was too thoroughly exhausted to hold out much longer. +</p> +<p> +"Do you mean to say that she isn't crazy?" whispered one of the girls on +the stairs. +</p> +<p> +The tears flowed down Faith's cheeks, but she answered the whisper. +</p> +<p> +"Poor Lou! Poor Lou! She must be crazy! No woman could act or even feel +like that and be in her right senses!" +</p> +<p> +The door of the office was suddenly closed, and, as Lou was silent now, +the girls trooped slowly back to the cloak-room. +</p> +<p> +"They'll take her away as soon as she's quiet," said one, "and that will +mean at least six months on Blackwell's Island." +</p> +<p> +"She's been there before, I think," spoke up a cash girl. "You know, she +was caught stealing in another store, but Denton, Day & Co. didn't know +it." +</p> +<p> +"Did you know it when she came here?" +</p> +<p> +It was Miss Jones who asked the question. She had come in just in time +to hear the last of the conversation. +</p> +<p> +"Of course I knew it, but what of that? Suppose I was going to prevent +the girl from earning her living?" +</p> +<p> +"But didn't you think she'd be apt to steal again?" +</p> +<p> +The girl laughed coarsely before she answered. +</p> +<p> +"Well, to tell you the truth, I hoped she would!" she said, glibly. "I +would like to have seen her get away with the whole establishment! What +were Denton, Day & Co. doing about that time, I'd like to know? Weren't +they robbing the poor devils who made their goods, cheating their +customers with inferior garments and exorbitant prices, and last, but +not least, weren't they wearing the souls out of our bodies with the +system of slavery that they employed in the building? What did I care +who cheated them or even who robbed them? Wouldn't they grind me to +death just as they did poor Miss Jennings? Of course, if it should +happen now I should feel very different; still, I'm a good deal sorrier +for Lou than I am for Mr. Denton!" +</p> +<p> +"We would all feel different now," spoke up Faith very quickly. "We +would all scorn to be disloyal to such a good employer as Mr. Denton!" +</p> +<p> +"He's the best friend we girls ever had," spoke up another clerk. "Why, +we are in heaven now, compared with what we were a month ago! Shorter +hours, bigger pay, no slave-drivers over us, and, best of all, we are +treated like human beings. There is no more of that feeling that we are +a lot of cattle!" +</p> +<p> +"The Lord be praised for all His goodness," said Faith, devoutly, "for +what but His mercy has enacted this change? It is a demonstration of His +love through His servant, Mr. Denton." +</p> +<p> +"You are right, Miss Marvin," said Miss Jones, firmly. "There is no +power on earth that could have altered these conditions, and I for one +am ready and glad to admit it!" +</p> +<p> +Faith looked at the speaker with beaming eyes. It delighted her to +witness her companion's fearless demeanor. +</p> +<p> +"There they go! Lou and the officers!" cried cash girl Number 83. "They +are almost carrying her down the stairs! I wouldn't be in her shoes for +a thousand dollars." +</p> +<p> +"Perhaps she'll repent, like poor Mag Brady," said Miss Jones, +thoughtfully. "After Mag's wonderful conversion, I feel that there is +hope for all of us." +</p> +<p> +Faith wiped the tears from her eyes as she saw the last of Lou. +</p> +<p> +"Though your sins be as scarlet—" She could not finish the verse. The +next instant she burst out crying—she was weeping for Lou Willis. +</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<a name="CH39"><!-- CH39 --></a> +<h2> + CHAPTER XXXIX. +</h2> + +<h3> +THE PENANCE FOR SIN. +</h3> +<p> </p> +<p> +Maggie Brady had been free for exactly a week, but the prison pallor had +not yet left her features. +</p> +<p> +Thanks to Mr. Denton, she had a comfortable home and her husband was +awaiting for permission to join her. +</p> +<p> +She had not seen Faith since that day in the jail when she read the +girl's carefully guarded secret, but in the few short interviews which +she had with her husband she learned that which caused her to bless the +young girl fervently. +</p> +<p> +James Denton told her honestly that he did not love her, but his manner +as he said it was gentle, even tender. +</p> +<p> +He regretted his foolish marriage, both for her sake and his own, still +he was ready now to do his whole duty by her, and it was Faith Marvin's +words that had taught him that duty. +</p> +<p> +But Maggie Brady was a greatly changed woman. There were thoughts in her +heart which she revealed to no one, but which influenced her every deed +and decision. She had gone over and over her wasted life and could find +no blame for any one individual, for, looked at from all points, it was +conditions that were her enemies, conditions made by the rich in their +greed of plunder. +</p> +<p> +If she had been stronger she might have combatted these conditions, but +the uselessness of such a struggle had been demonstrated by so many—she +did not have courage or faith in her own ability to conquer. +</p> +<p> +Like hundreds of poor girls, she had drifted from bad to worse, until +that mad marriage to Jim Denton capped the climax of her wickedness. +</p> +<p> +Now, with her newly awakened understanding she desired to do penance for +her sin. It was a part of that old religion which she had long ago +discarded. +</p> +<p> +At the confessional she told her wrongdoing and received absolution so +far as it is in the power of God's mediators to absolve one, but to +promise to live, uprightly forevermore did not satisfy her soul. She +felt the need of further self-abnegation; she must crucify body and +spirit to complete the penance. +</p> +<p> +With the calmness, even exultation, of a martyr she made her +preparations. There were wishes to be expressed and letters to be +written. +</p> +<p> +One of these letters reached Faith as she sat with her mother early one +evening; the writing so faint and uneven that she could hardly decipher +it. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, mother! mother!" she cried as she perused it. "Quick! get on your +hat and come with me! The letter is from Maggie—she is sick—or dying!" +</p> +<p> +As they hurried from the house Mr. Watkins joined them. In five minutes +they were in a carriage driving swiftly toward Maggie's address. +</p> +<p> +As Faith opened the door leading to Maggie's rooms she came upon a scene +that nearly paralyzed her senses. +</p> +<p> +Poor Maggie was half lying and half sitting upon a couch, her husband +supporting her tenderly while Miss Fairbanks stood by administering a +cordial. There was another person in the room whom Faith knew at once to +be a physician, but she had eyes nor ears for no one but Maggie. +</p> +<p> +"Oh, you poor, dear child! What has happened?" she asked quickly as she +went over and knelt by the side of the poor creature. +</p> +<p> +"I thought you would come," whispered Maggie faintly. "I wanted to see +you, oh, so much! I wanted—to—thank—you!" +</p> +<p> +She lay back on her pillow with a stifled groan while James Denton wiped +her brow—his own the color of ashes. +</p> +<p> +"You were so good," murmured poor Maggie again as Faith leaned over her. +"You taught me, to pray. May the good God bless you." +</p> +<p> +She closed her eyes and a sigh escaped her lips. In an instant the +physician took her wrist between his fingers. +</p> +<p> +"Gone," he said, softly, "the poor child is at rest. Cheer up, Mr. +Denton, your wife is in heaven." +</p> +<p> +"Thanks to her," whispered James Denton, with a look toward Faith. She +was kneeling, convulsed with sorrow, with her mother's arms about her. +</p> +<p> +No one really knew how the secret leaked out first, for the physician, +acting as he thought wise, refrained from telling it openly, but Faith +soon learned that Maggie's death was not natural—she had died by her +own hand—it was her full and complete penance. +</p> +<p> +"It is not for us to judge," whispered Mrs. Marvin when she heard it. +</p> +<p> +"God alone knew her thoughts," was Faith's tearful answer. +</p> +<p> +When the news reached the store, even Mr. Denton wept. It was the end of +a familiar but heart-rending tragedy. +</p> +<p> +And now it came time for Faith to change her plans—for reasons of her +own she felt that she must stay behind the counter no longer. +</p> +<p> +James Denton had gone abroad, so she put him out of her thoughts as +completely as possible; only a vagrant memory now and then showed her +the lurking shadow of her girlish passion. +</p> +<p> +As soon as she could she had a talk with Mr. Denton, whom she found, as +usual, busily working in his office. +</p> +<p> +"See, Miss Marvin," he said almost gayly as Faith entered the door, +"here are a dozen letters from Christian people this morning, all +congratulating me on the changes in my store! I have been getting a few +every day, but this is a splendid showing! Here is one," he added, +selecting an envelope, "who even offers to put a large sum of money at +my disposal just as soon as I have proven that Christianity is +practicable and profitable." +</p> +<p> +"And can you do this, sir?" asked Faith very eagerly. +</p> +<p> +A hopeful expression flitted across Mr. Denton's face. +</p> +<p> +"Mr. Gibson tells me that our business is increasing every day," he +answered slowly, "and that the poor people are flocking in to look at +our honest bargains, and you see here I have proof that the rich people +are watching us." +</p> +<p> +"Oh, I shall be so glad!—so thankful!" said Faith, with a bright +smile. "I was sure you would be rewarded for setting such a noble +example! But I have come to ask a favor, Mr. Denton," she added, softly. +"I want you to give me another position in your store instead of the one +I occupy at present." +</p> +<p> +Mr. Denton looked at her, and understood at once. +</p> +<p> +"In other words, you wish to enlarge your field of usefulness, do you +not, Miss Marvin? You think you can shed the light more successfully if +you have a wider scope of action." +</p> +<p> +"That is it exactly," was Faith's glad answer; "but please, Mr. Denton, +I don't wish any salary." +</p> +<p> +Mr. Denton glanced up in a little surprise. He had not yet even heard of +her change of fortune. +</p> +<p> +"Yes, I have money enough now to live comfortably," she explained, "and +I can even help others, I think, a little. It came to my mother some +time ago, a few thousands that were due her from her father's estate, so +we are in a position to be helpful without remuneration." +</p> +<p> +"And you will stay with me still?" asked Mr, Denton, smiling. "You will +sacrifice your liberty and your home life to stay here and labor, Miss +Marvin?" +</p> +<p> +"It will be no sacrifice, I can assure you!" cried Faith, brightly, "for +I am far happier here than I would be anywhere else, I fancy!" +</p> +<p> +"Then I appoint you as general inspector of my store," said Mr. Denton, +promptly, "and your duties are to consist of daily talks with the clerks +and daily hints to me how I can improve their conditions." +</p> +<p> +"Oh, that will be delightful!" cried Faith, excitedly, "only I will not +promise to be a very wise inspector, for I am so young that I am sadly +in need of experience." +</p> +<p> +"'The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.' I do not tremble for +the results," said Mr. Denton, smiling. +</p> +<p> +Faith went back to the department and told Miss Fairbanks of the new +arrangement, and in less than an hour every clerk in the store knew it. +</p> +<p> +"Just think, she has money and yet she will stay here," said one, "and +she is to look after our interests, which is the strangest thing about +it!" +</p> +<p> +"Everything is strange here nowadays," was the thoughtful reply. "Why, +I'm sure this is the only store in the world that is run on a Christian +basis!" +</p> +<p> +The next remark was made in a lower tone, as if the speaker was doubtful +of her own statements in the matter. +</p> +<p> +"And do you know," she said, slowly, "the business of the store is +actually increasing! I got it straight from the head bookkeeper that Mr. +Denton is holding his own splendidly in spite of the fact that every one +predicted a sure failure." +</p> +<p> +"Well, I hope I shall never have to work anywhere else," was the answer. +"It would kill me to go back to those old days of slavery and poor +salaries!" +</p> +<p> +As the weeks passed by, even the greatest doubter became convinced that +the business of the store was improving. Great crowds came every day to +look about, if not to buy, for their curiosity as well as interest was +genuine and unbounded. +</p> +<p> +Many flocked to the store to compare the prices of goods with those of +the other emporiums and to draw their own conclusions as to the +sincerity of the enterprise. +</p> +<p> +A high price on an article was often misleading until the manufacturer's +side of the question was explained and understood, and so, too, a low +price often produced various criticism from those who could not +differentiate between just and usurious profit. +</p> +<p> +But in the main the efforts of the merchant were pretty fairly +understood and a perfect flood of congratulations followed the +enlightenment. +</p> +<p> +"My motto is consideration for the manufacturer, justice to myself and +honest value to my patrons," said Mr. Denton to all. "If I vary from +this, it will be through error, not malice." +</p> +<p> +One by one the buyers learned their lesson of right dealing, and the +counters of the big establishment showed the result of their labors. +</p> +<p> +They were filled with goods whose first values had not been depreciated +and whose sale profits were in proportion to the labor expended in +handling them. +</p> +<p> +As Mr. Gibson had said, poor people had flocked to the store. They were +satisfied that, at last, they would get the worth of every penny. +</p> +<p> +"It's funny to see how suspicious they were of us at first," he said to +Faith one day. "Why, they were more doubtful of us than ever, I do +believe, and all because we had enrolled under a Christian banner." +</p> +<p> +"I don't blame them," said Faith slowly, "for have they not good cause +to doubt? Has not hypocrisy and deceit always assumed the garb of +Christianity? It is the church people who are to blame for it—the +insincere ones, I mean—so many of them are content with words alone. +When it comes to deeds they are tried and found wanting." +</p> +<p> +"That is why I have never believed," said Mr. Gibson slowly. "I saw +through their shams and thought they were all alike! Why, most people +use religion as a regular coat of mail, behind which they commit every +sin in the calendar! And others, particularly business people, use it +merely as a trade-mark or sign of respectability, and then laugh in +their sleeves at the number of dupes they make with it!" +</p> +<p> +"Well, there's no sham or hypocrisy in Mr. Denton's dealings," cried +Faith, brightly, "for no man could enter upon a Christian course with +greater sacrifice, both of friends and money." +</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<a name="CH40"><!-- CH40 --></a> +<h2> + CHAPTER XL. +</h2> + +<h3> +A GOLDEN OUTLOOK. +</h3> +<p> </p> +<p> +One year had passed since Maggie Brady's death, and Faith Marvin was +nearing her nineteenth birthday. +</p> +<p> +She was still living with her mother in their pretty little flat and +working faithfully at the store with Mr. Denton. The year had brought +many changes in that establishment, and there were many new faces in +place of the old ones. +</p> +<p> +Faith talked over these changes as she sat with her mother and Mr. +Watkins in one of their social chats after the day's work was over. +</p> +<p> +"It hardly seems like the same place," she said, happily. "Why, we are +just one big family, with Mr. Denton for our father!" +</p> +<p> +"And Mr. Denton is certainly holding his own financially," said Mr. +Watkins, a trifle reluctantly, "while the papers are full of reported +failures all around us." +</p> +<p> +"I am so glad that Mrs. Denton is recovering," said Mrs. Marvin. "I did +sympathize with her so during the first few months of her anxiety!" +</p> +<p> +"We are all glad she is better," said Faith, quickly, "for she comes +down to the store often, and she is really very charming. But the +greatest changes are in the clerks themselves," she went on, +thoughtfully. "They are so courteous, so loyal and so kind to each +other. Why, a new girl is welcomed and made one of us at once, and, no +matter what her faults may be, we are almost sure to win her over. Of +course, we miss the little cash girls, but the tube system is much +better, and it did seem so terrible to think of those children being +forced to earn their living!" +</p> +<p> +Mrs. Marvin nodded her head sympathetically and her daughter continued. +</p> +<p> +"Mr. Gunning is so different that you would hardly know him," she said, +"and do you know, Fred, he and Miss Jones are to be married next +Tuesday? The dear girl, through God's grace, has had the happiness to +redeem him. Then Miss Fairbanks has developed just the kindest and +sweetest sort of character! Why, I believe every girl in the department +loves her!" +</p> +<p> +"What do you hear of Lou Willis?" asked her mother after a moment. "That +poor girl who was arrested for stealing jewelry." +</p> +<p> +"She has just come back from serving her sentence," was Faith's answer, +"and Mr. Denton is considering whether he had better reinstate her." +</p> +<p> +"It will be a great risk," said Mr. Watkins, soberly, "for 'what's bred +in the bone will come out in the flesh,' unless, of course, the spirit +of Christ takes possession of the body." +</p> +<p> +"We hope it will," said Faith, almost cheerily, "and then Lou has had a +fearful experience—she may be different altogether." +</p> +<p> +"And Miss Dean," suggested Mrs. Marvin, in a reminiscent manner. +</p> +<p> +Faith laughed a little before she answered. "She finds nothing to do in +the store now," she said, "but we still differ a little in our notions +and theories." +</p> +<p> +Mrs. Marvin left the room a few minutes later. Whether it was done for a +purpose or not, Faith did not have time to conjecture. +</p> +<p> +"Faith, dear Faith," whispered Mr. Watkins, quickly, "am I never, never +to hear your answer?" +</p> +<p> +He bent toward her so pleadingly that Faith closed her eyes +instinctively. It cut her to the heart to have to witness his sorrow. +</p> +<p> +"I have loved you so long, so patiently, dear! Can you not give me some +hope, even though it is for the far-distant future?" +</p> +<p> +"I cannot! Oh, I cannot!" murmured Faith in agony. "Oh, I wish I could, +Mr. Watkins, but it is impossible! I cannot love you!" +</p> +<p> +The young man rose without a word and took his hat from the table. +</p> +<p> +"Good-night, Faith," he said, gently. "Good-night, little sister! Don't +worry about me! Some day I will get over it!" +</p> +<p> +He went silently away without waiting for Mrs. Marvin. Faith breathed a +sigh of relief that her sad duty was over. +</p> +<p> +"You have refused him, Faith!" +</p> +<p> +Her mother spoke softly. "Poor fellow! I am sorry, but you know your own +mind, darling." +</p> +<p> +They sat down again and Faith took up a book. A peal at the bell made +her drop it suddenly. +</p> +<p> +A few moments later young James Denton entered. He was taller, broader +and deeply bronzed by travel. +</p> +<p> +"At last, I see you again," he whispered softly as soon as Mrs. Marvin +had left them together. +</p> +<p> +"Tell me of your travels," said Faith very quickly. The color had risen +to her face and her heart was beating wildly. +</p> +<p> +"Well, I went all over Europe and the Continent," he said wearily; "but +a year is not long enough for a fellow to down a bad reputation! I have +come back to find myself in contempt, the same as before, but I have +decided that I shall not run away again. I am going to try and live down +what I could not run away from." +</p> +<p> +Faith looked at him questioningly, but did not speak. The young man +understood the glance and hurried with his explanation. +</p> +<p> +"I am going to work in the store with my father now," he said, quietly, +"and I am going to put in a small sum of money that has come to me in +the past year from a distant relative." +</p> +<p> +"But are you not afraid you will lose it?" asked Faith, a little shyly. +"You know you always had grave doubts as to the financial results of +your father's undertaking." +</p> +<p> +"Well, what if I do?" asked the young man, smiling back at her. "Others +have done as much, and I can but follow in their footsteps, and then +reformation to be acceptable should not be half-hearted." +</p> +<p> +There was a light in his eyes that was not to be mistaken. As Faith +beheld it she uttered a cry of joy and held out both hands toward him +impulsively. +</p> +<p> +Young Denton gathered both her hands into one of his own, while his +other rested lightly upon her shoulder. +</p> +<p> +"And after I have proven myself worthy may I claim my reward?" he +whispered. "May I ask my good angel to share her labors with me and so +crown her noble life with the seal of forgiveness?" +</p> +<p> +"I have nothing to forgive," whispered Faith, blushing deeply. "If +Christ has forgiven there is nothing further." +</p> +<p> +"And you will marry me, Faith, if I prove worthy?" he murmured. "For, +oh, I love you, sweetheart, and I cannot live without you!" +</p> +<p> +"I will marry you—yes," was the girl's low answer, "if at the end of a +year you are still in the faith—still carrying the light to the darkest +places." +</p> +<p> +There was just one kiss to seal the compact, but that kiss was a +benediction, a holy consummation. +</p> +<hr> +<p> +Meanwhile Mr. Denton was still sitting in his chair, although the big +building was empty of all but its watchman. +</p> +<p> +His head was bowed down upon his bosom, as the year just passed spread +panorama-like before his vision. +</p> +<p> +What had he accomplished of his Master's work? He breathed a sigh that +it had been so little. +</p> +<p> +He had tried to put justice in the place of its opposite, to install +sweet liberty in the place of oppression. In his dealings with his +fellow men he had been fair and equitable, even leaning toward mercy +when opportunity offered. +</p> +<p> +In fact, he had incorporated the Spirit of Righteousness into the Temple +of Mammon and molded worldly affairs after the principles of divine +teaching. +</p> +<p> +And what to him had been the results? He smiled with grateful +satisfaction as he briefly reviewed them. +</p> +<p> +There was a trifling shortage as compared with the accounts of previous +years, so trifling that it astonished him when he reflected upon the +amounts which he had paid his two partners. Beyond this the business of +the store had been good and his books showed new accounts recently +opened with wealthy persons, which assured him beyond doubt that they +indorsed his methods. +</p> +<p> +Further than this, there were offers of capital from a dozen different +sources. The sincere Christians of the city could not have expressed +more tangibly their ardent desire to stand shoulder to shoulder with the +merchant who had resolved to deal according to his conscience. +</p> +<p> +The outlook for the future was more than hopeful. He could see no +obstacle in the path of his ultimate victory. +</p> +<p> +There should be no more grinding down in the work-rooms where his goods +were made, no undercutting of prices to ruin a brother merchant. +</p> +<p> +He should be just with others and they must be just with him or he would +refuse absolutely to have dealings with them. +</p> +<p> +Every employee of his establishment should be suitably remunerated, and +by this treatment he felt assured that he would receive their ablest +service. +</p> +<p> +Co-operation in his humane work was all that he needed, and here, on his +desk and in his books, was ample proof of this assistance. He bowed his +head in thanksgiving as he finished his reflections. +</p> +<p> +"Surely, with God all things are possible," he murmured audibly, and +then a thought of his son's conversion and his wife's gradual but sure +return to reason with health brought a flow of happiness that irradiated +his countenance. +</p> +<p> +A glimpse of starlit sky was visible through his window and Mr. Denton +raised his eyes to it in solemn contemplation. +</p> +<p> +"Thy ways are not our ways," he whispered humbly, "but though the cross +is heavy and hard to bear, Thou wilt give Thy servant a just reward, and +the end is peace—peace that passeth understanding." +</p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<center> +THE END. +</center> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of For Gold or Soul?, by Lurana W. 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