CHAPTER XXIX.
A VISITOR AT THE FLAT.
For the next few days Faith heard no more about the box of poisonedcandy, but she was not allowed to entirely forget it, for Ben Tyler, thedetective, almost haunted the department.
If he was looking for the culprit there he did not show it, for helaughed and chatted with all the girls whenever he had an opportunity.
Maggie Brady had come back to find her "bargain counter" gone, but MissFairbanks had already received orders to put her behind the regularcounter.
This brought Faith and Maggie nearer together than ever, and the hatredin Maggie's face was very apparent, although she schooled herself to befairly pleasant.
Faith treated her as kindly as possible, but for all that sheoccasionally caught Maggie glaring at her between half closed lids in amanner that thrilled her with fresh suspicions.
At those times Faith felt a nervousness that she could not control. Shealmost dreaded to turn her back upon the morbid young woman.
More than once she thought of Lou Willis' words that "Maggie Brady was asneak and a coward, who waited until dark before attacking the object ofher hatred."
But this always led her to think of Lou Willis, herself, and to questionover and over her well meant decision to try and help the girl to behonest by not reporting her dishonesty.
She met Lou often now, and always talked to her cordially, but she couldfeel that she made slow headway into the young woman's confidence.
"You and I are so different," Miss Willis said one day. "You seem toenjoy playing the proprieties, while I just hate them!"
"But I don't think I am altogether proper, as you call it," Faithanswered. "I do lots of things that are not conventional and lots thatare unusual, still I always try to follow my conscience."
"Conscience, what's that?" asked Lou, with a grimace. "They made mewithout one I guess, and I'm mighty glad of it!"
"But surely you wish to do right, don't you, Miss Willis?"
Faith's eyes were eager with hope as she asked the question.
"Oh, what difference does it make whether I do or don't? Do what youplease and don't get caught, that's my motto!" laughed the girl.
"But you surely will get caught some day," said Faith soberly. "No onecan ignore or break the laws of God and man without being ultimatelybrought to punishment or repentance."
"Well, so far as the laws of God go, I'm not worrying," said Lou, with ashrug. "He made me as I am and as He wanted me, I suppose. I'm sure Ihope He's satisfied with His creation! If He ain't, He can make me overif He's so almighty powerful, but when it comes to the laws of man, whythat's a different matter."
"And how do you regard those?" asked Faith, trying hard not to beshocked. The woman's answer came like a clap of thunder.
"I look upon man's laws as my natural enemies," she said sullenly. "Theyare 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 forceyou to steal and then punish you for doing so!"
After a little of this reasoning Faith grew more helpless than ever. Itwas like trying to melt an iceberg with a sunbeam to thaw that callousnature. Only Lou's violent temper and intense hatred of her enemies keptthe woman from being adamant in matters moral or spiritual.
She surprised Faith frequently with her outbursts of remorse, the mostof which were bestowed in the direction of Miss Brady.
"I saw her smiling at you to-day," she said to Faith one night. "Lookout for her, Miss Innocent, that's when she's most likely to stab you!"
Faith trembled for fear that Lou would hear in some way of the box ofpoisoned candy, but strangely enough it had been hushed up for thepresent.
Some power, unknown to Faith, had stopped every tongue from blabbing.
"I expect it is some of Mr. Denton's good work," she said to her motherone night as they sat at supper with little Dick between them. "If hecan stop the gossip in the store he will accomplish a great deal, for Ibelieve half of the bad friendships between the clerks are made throughidle gossip."
"He is doing wonders," sighed Mrs. Marvin in answer. "At last I amhearing of what looks to be conscientious Christianity."
"You will hear of much more, I am sure, mother," said Faith, "for I amtold that Mr. Forbes intends to remain in the firm, and that looks as ifhe indorsed Mr. Denton."
"Or awaiting the outcome," added her mother quietly. She could neverquite accept her daughter's innocent reasoning.
While they were still talking, a letter was delivered from Mr. Watkins.
He was "doing nicely at the hospital," he said, and "on the straightroad to recovery," but what was better still, Mr. Denton was coming forhis mother and had assured him that his position at the store was stillopen to him.
"Mr. Forbes must certainly acquiesce to that, mother," said Faith again,"for Mr. Watkins was his office assistant; Mr. Denton would hardly puthim back if his partner was not willing."
Mrs. Marvin was about to reply when their bell rang sharply. Both rosefrom the table and went into the little parlor. A moment later some onetapped at the door, and Faith opened it promptly. She confronted anacquaintance; it was the man whom she had met, and who had written herthe note signed "Cornelius C. Deering."
For an instant Faith was shocked out of every semblance of hospitality.She stood staring at the man as if he were an intruder.
Like a flash it passed through her mind that she had not answered hisletter, and that he had presumed upon that silence to force his presenceupon 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 theexpression on his face was almost pitiful.
"What is it, sir? What has happened?" she asked, taking a step forward.
"I think I have made a mistake," said the man, huskily. "I had no idea,I assure you, of intruding upon you."
"There are twenty families in the house, so your mistake is natural,"said Faith coldly. "Pray mention the name you wish, as I can probablydirect you."
"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 awidow, and her name is Mrs. Adelaide Marvin."
With a gasp of horror Faith staggered back into the room just as hermother sprang forward with a joyous greeting.
"Oh, Charles, my brother!" she cried, falling on his shoulder. "How Ihave longed to see you, you naughty boy, every day since you ran awayfrom us in dear old England!"
For Gold or Soul? Page 29
