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.

“It’s easy for you to talk,” muttered Maggie finally.  “Your life has been different from mine.  What do you know of trouble?”

“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.”

“But you don’t understand,” said the woman more bitterly.  “By ‘trouble’ I do not mean just hard luck and poverty.”

“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.”

“I have, indeed!” cried Miss Brady, sharply.  Her lips twitched convulsively and tears trembled on her lashes.

“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.”

The poor girl gazed at Faith a moment and then burst out crying.

“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!”

As she spoke she thrust her hand into the bosom of her dress.  In another second she had drawn forth a crumpled paper.

“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!”

With a quick wave of horror coursing through his brain, Mr. Denton took the paper and quickly unfolded it.

Only a glance was needed to show him what it was.  Mr. Denton staggered to a chair, his face pale and haggard.

“Oh, what is it?” asked Faith, looking from one to the other.

Maggie Brady gave a short, hoarse laugh as she replied: 

“Only the certificate of my marriage to young James Denton!”

CHAPTER XXXVI.

Jim Denton’s confession.

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.

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.

Mr. Denton sprang to his feet and attempted to raise her, while Maggie Brady stood like a statue, with her hands clasped tightly together.

“Poor girl! your news has shocked her,” said Mr. Denton absently.  “She was over-anxious and excited about your welfare.”

“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!”