“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.”

“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!”

“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.”

CHAPTER XL.

A Golden outlook.

One year had passed since Maggie Brady’s death, and Faith Marvin was nearing her nineteenth birthday.

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.

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.

“It hardly seems like the same place,” she said, happily.  “Why, we are just one big family, with Mr. Denton for our father!”

“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.”

“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!”

“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!”

Mrs. Marvin nodded her head sympathetically and her daughter continued.

“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!”