and her temptations in that store.  She is working for thieves, why should she not steal?  She is working for successful people, why should she not take example of their methods.  These things seem harsh and hard to you, Faith, but they are actual facts, just as you will surely see them.  If you report that girl what will be the result?  Listen, here it is, the outcome in a nutshell.  You will be reporting to robbers that they are being robbed, not of their lives, their liberties and their honors, as they rob us, but of a paltry piece of jewelry, which they have bought out of their enormous profits.  You will, no doubt, lose for the girl a position which has the semblance of respectability, and like poor Kate Travers, she will go from bad to worse, only, unlike Kate, she will have no pure motive.  Then, lastly, to consider your own position in the matter, from that standpoint which you choose to call your Christian duty—­”

She stopped to cough, and Faith broke in upon her.

“I know what you would say.  You think by reporting her crime I will only be driving her to more vicious depths, whereas, by protecting her from the punishment she deserves I may be able to influence her toward a better life.  Oh, Mary, I thank you!  You have shown me my error.  Say no more to me to-night about censuring any one for their wrongdoing!  It grows more wonderful every moment that the girls are as good as they are.  God help them, they are innocent!  It is all the fault of conditions!  If we could only strike at the root of it all, Mary.”

“We would have to go back many years and generations, I’m afraid,” whispered Miss Jennings.  “But at present we need go no further than the heads of that firm—­for Denton, Day & Forbes are the roots in this case, from which emanate the evils which are destroying us soul and body.”

CHAPTER X.

A startling suggestion.

The gossip in the cloak-room was at its height the next morning when Faith entered promptly at half-past seven.  She looked around for Miss Jennings, but did not see her.  The next moment her attention was attracted by a short conversation between two of the saleswomen.

“Well, Jack Forbes is dead at last, poor fellow,” said one of them, “and they say that his father is all broke up over it.  Jack was his ideal always.  It’s sure to go hard with him.”

“He deserves his trouble if ever any one did,” was the indifferent answer.  “He’s made life miserable for lots of young men who were just as worthy as Jack ever was and just as much beloved by their mothers and fathers.”

“Well, he’s being punished now all right.  They say he looks like a ghost.  Wonder if he’ll have the good taste to close the store!  Or will he keep open that day to make funeral expenses?”

There was a shout of laughter after this remark, and Faith was surprised to see how many of the girls joined in it.