For the space of a second the applicant wavered, but in that second she read something in Mr. Watkins’ expression.  His look was unmistakable.  He was waiting to see if she faltered in her decision.

She raised her head and looked Mr. Forbes squarely in the eyes.

“I thank you, sir, for your offer,” she said, as calmly as she could, “but I would rather die than do anything I considered wrong, and this act of yours is both wicked and unjust!  God will punish you for your cruelty to that poor Miss Jennings!”

She turned and walked toward the door, leaving Mr. Forbes and Mr. Watkins both staring after her.

CHAPTER II.

A humble beginning.

It was the second time that the young girl had succeeded in startling the superintendent, but this time she had accomplished far more than she knew, for her few words fell upon the brain of the business man with a significance that for a moment almost overcame him.  Under favorable conditions far less thrilling words than these have taken root and yielded a bountiful harvest, but the time for this man’s awakening was at hand.  His only son, a youth of nineteen, was lying critically ill at home, and, while Mr. Forbes was worldly, he was also unusually superstitious, and her words, “God will punish you,” rang in his ears like a blast from a trumpet.

Almost involuntarily he took a step forward.  He could not explain so unusual an action.

“Wait!” he said, peremptorily.

The young girl paused, with her hand on the door.

“I am not so cruel as you think, miss,” he said, trying to speak as sternly as ever, “so your speech just now was entirely uncalled for.  If you are really in desperate need of work, I can give you a position as packer at three dollars a week.  This is the best I can offer.  Do you care to accept it?”

“I will take any position where I am not defrauding any one else, sir,” the girl answered, quickly.  “But I could not accept what belongs to another.  I think that money so earned would prove a curse instead of a blessing.”

The superintendent stared at her with a puzzled look.

“What is your name?” he asked, after this second scrutiny of her features.

“Faith Marvin, sir,” replied the applicant, promptly.

Mr. Forbes repeated the name a little absently.

Miss Marvin watched him eagerly.  Her face had flushed a little.

“I’ve heard that name somewhere, but I can’t think where,” remarked Mr. Forbes, with a glance toward Mr. Watkins, “but it don’t matter about the name.  Come to-morrow morning at seven-thirty, sharp, and I’ll set you to work.  Well, what is it, Jackson?”

Another employee had entered hurriedly.

As he stood directly in her way, Miss Marvin could not leave the office at once, so she was forced to hear the conversation that followed.