“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!”

“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!”

“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.”

“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!”

Faith looked at the speaker with beaming eyes.  It delighted her to witness her companion’s fearless demeanor.

“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.”

“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.”

Faith wiped the tears from her eyes as she saw the last of Lou.

“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.

CHAPTER XXXIX.

The penance for sin.

Maggie Brady had been free for exactly a week, but the prison pallor had not yet left her features.

Thanks to Mr. Denton, she had a comfortable home and her husband was awaiting for permission to join her.

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.

James Denton told her honestly that he did not love her, but his manner as he said it was gentle, even tender.

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.

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.

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.