For Gold or Soul?

by Lurana Sheldon

  CHAPTER XXII.

  THE BEGINNING OF THE HARVEST.

  As Faith wrapped her arms around the woman Mr. Denton appeared in thedepartment. He was just in time to hear her ringing question.

  There were a dozen or more customers standing around the counters, andthey all stood staring in wide-eyed astonishment.

  Mr. Denton saw that something must be done at once. It would never do tohave a scene like this in the store, for, besides stopping business, itwas productive of mischief.

  In an instant he realized that he had to deal with Faith, for the womanwas clinging to the girl and imploring her protection.

  He went forward at once and spoke as calmly as possible.

  "Take her up to the office, Miss Marvin, and quiet her if you can. Sheshall not be harmed. I have no doubt she is innocent."

  "And I know she isn't," blurted out Hardy, angrily. He was frantic tothink that the woman might escape him.

  "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."

  As he said these words he looked straight at Faith, and the thankfulnessin her eyes repaid him in an instant.

  "Come, my friend," she said sweetly. "Come with me to the office. Thereis nothing to be afraid of. You will only have to prove your innocence."

  The woman checked her sobs and went willingly. Faith's manner had calmedher fears in great measure. Mr. Hardy followed them to make hisaccusations, and Mr. Denton led them all to his own private office. Assoon as they were there a woman detective was sent for, and thesupposed shop-lifter was taken behind a screen and searched thoroughly.

  While this was being done Faith was bursting with indignation.

  "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?"

  "I wish there was," said that gentleman shortly, "for our detective'smistakes have already cost us several thousand dollars."

  "I don't wonder," said Faith. "A woman could hardly forgive such aninsult, but your detective is capable of far worse, Mr. Denton; he is avery wicked man. I think it is my duty to denounce him."

  If a thunder-bolt had fallen at his feet Hardy could hardly have beenmore astonished. He had not dreamed that the timid girl would dare tellwhat he had done, particularly as she had acquiesced, as he supposed, inhis vile suggestion.

  Mr. Denton glanced at her sharply, but she did not quail, although hercheeks were scarlet over the unpleasant remembrance.

  "Eh! What has Hardy done? Tell me at once, Miss Marvin. You will neverhave a better time than when he is present to hear you."

  "Oh, I would never tell it behind his back," said Faith. "I always dealfairly and squarely, even with my enemies."

  As she spoke, she looked Hardy steadily in the eye. He saw that shewould treat him justly, but with no mercy. It was a difficult matter forFaith to tell her tale, but she did it in a way that was absolutelyconvincing.

  "And, oh, Mr. Denton," she cried in conclusion, "is it not enough thatwe girls have to work so hard without being subjected to such vile,unspeakable horrors?"

  Mr. Denton put his hands to his temples and pressed them hard for amoment. The girl's words had overwhelmed him with the full sense of hisnegligence.

  To be able to prevent all or many of these evils and then to beindifferent, thoughtless, neglectful. It had all come to him atonce--while the girl was speaking, just as the first tinge of remorsehad come when Miss Jennings was dying.

  Hardy was standing like a statue, his face purple with anger. It wasuseless for him to speak. He was convicted without evidence.

  Mr. Denton had not replied when the poor woman was led out. She had beensearched thoroughly by the woman detective, but there were no stolengoods about her.

  "That settles it, Hardy. You can go," said Mr. Denton wearily. "Thecashier will pay you. I am done with your services."

  "Oh no!"

  Faith gave utterance to a pitiful cry. Hardy turned and glared at her asecond and then left the office.

  "Oh, I did not mean to get him discharged," groaned Faith. "Perhaps alittle more mercy would have been far better."

  "He deserves no mercy," said Mr. Denton, shortly. There was a decisionin his words that was quite contrary to his nature.

  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 beenpraying for, and Faith did not intend to lose it Without a moment'shesitation she spoke softly to her employer.

  "Please, Mr. Denton, may I say a few words more? They are not busydownstairs. I am sure they'll not need me."

  "Say what you wish," was the answer, and Faith hurried on. Her very soulwas on her lips as the words fell from them.

  "There are so many things that might be done to improve the conditionsfor 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 surelya clerk that is well and satisfied with her surroundings will be farmore 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 standso many long hours. We grow faint and sick, and our backs acheterribly. Why, I have only been in the store a few days, yet last nightI could not sleep, I was so lame and weary."

  She paused for breath, and then hurried on. Mr. Denton had turned hisface away, but was listening intently.

  "There are all sorts and kinds of girls in the store, Mr. Denton; someare good and pure, while others are reckless and even vicious. Poorthings, they have nothing behind them but memories of sorrow, and thereis nothing ahead of them but hard work and trouble. It seems to me Godnever meant us to have it so hard--if He had He would have made ournerves and our muscles stronger. I think he meant us to do our share ofwork in the world, but he made men to protect us from the real drudgeryof 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 uponme by a single week in the store. I have seen more sorrow in three daysthan I ever dreamed of, and I am praying night and day to be able torelieve it."

  She came to a dead stop with the tears choking her voice. The nextinstant Mr. Denton rose and patted her on the shoulder.

  "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, Iwill neglect it no longer."

  Faith gave a cry of joy as she heard the words.

  "Oh, my prayers have been answered, dear Mr. Denton!" she cried. "I havebeen begging God to let me be His torch-bearer on earth, to carry thelight into the dark places where it is so much needed, to banish withits glow all the shadows of evil!"