“They know it’s bound to get into the papers,” she whispered, “so they are making a big bluff, you know.  They don’t really care about Miss Jennings.”

Faith put on her hat without waiting to hear more; Such hypocrisy as this completely overcame her.

Miss Fairbanks was not consulted regarding her movements now, for the young girl quite forgot the rules and regulations of the establishment.  As quick as she could she started to go up-town in search of the humble rooms where she knew she would find the crippled boy whom she had taken under her protection.

As she left the store a young man joined her.  She gave a sharp glance at his face.  It was Mr. Watkins.

Involuntarily the young girl extended her hand, and in that sympathetic clasp both knew that their love for the dead girl was mutual, and that forever after between them would be the firmest friendship.

Mr. Watkins insisted upon accompanying Faith on her errand of mercy, and as he seemed to need her tender consolation and sympathy, Faith was glad to allow him to share her mission.

He had heard of his sweetheart’s death only through the gossip of the store, so Faith told him of Mary’s calm resignation, and her belief that she died happy in the faith of a true Christian.

The crippled boy, Dick, was a sweet little fellow of six years, and in spite of the added expense, Mrs. Marvin was glad to have him with her.  He would give her something to think of, she said, in the long days to come, when Faith would be away at business.  She set about to comfort the little fellow at once.

Faith was too disturbed to go back to the store that day, and as it was to be closed the next day on account of the funeral of young Mr. Forbes, she had time to think over the outlook for the future.

“I am sure Mr. Denton is not a bad man, mother,” she said, as they sat with Mr. Watkins in the little parlor.  “His face showed the deepest agony.  I am sure he has a heart.  Oh, if only I could reach it, perhaps things would be different.”

“But you say that lady, the Government Inspector, was with him at the time.  His distress may have been feigned,” answered her mother, suspiciously.

“I don’t think so, mother, for there were tears in his eyes.  I think he is merely neglectful.  He leaves the consideration for employees entirely to his partners.”

“Many business men are that way,” remarked her mother, after a minute.  “They are so concerned about their financial matters that they ignore what is more sacred—­their duty toward their fellow-beings.  By the way, I have just read of two more failures, one a shoe store and the other a grocery store, and both because of the department store evil!  How can small dealers, with only a few hundred dollars behind them, expect to compete with firms whose capitals reach the millions?  They are only the poor little fishes in the sea, while the department stores are sharks, sharp-toothed monsters of destruction!”