“Oh, I am so glad to hear that!” cried Faith impetuously.  “Then you will help me to pray for the firm that employs me!  It may be that God will touch their hearts.  We must do our best and then be patient.”

“You are a brave young girl and a wise one,” said the lady.  “Many who are much older than you have not learned that lesson.”

The customers were beginning to push and crowd about the counter, so the old lady went away to allow Faith to wait upon them.  As she left the department, Mr. Gunning bowed to her politely.

“One of our best customers,” he remarked to Miss Fairbanks as he passed her.

At luncheon time there was none of the usual laughter in the cloak-room.  The girls were all thinking of Miss Jennings and talked almost in whispers.  In a very few minutes Faith saw a young woman come in.  It was the girl who had stolen the piece of jewelry on the day of the fire and for whom Miss Jennings had pleaded so successfully.

When Faith saw her she felt a thrill to the very tips of her fingers.  It was a thrill of thankfulness that she had not denied the dead girl’s request to show mercy to the poor sinner who had been so wronged by her parents.

As soon as she could she walked over and stood by the girl.  She was a sallow brunette but her features were regular and delicate.

“Do you mind my talking to you a little?” Faith asked softly.  “You see, I know almost no one in the store except Miss Jennings, and now that she is gone I am very lonely.”

“Why, no, I don’t mind your talking to me, why should I?  I guess it ain’t necessary to wait for an introduction.  Got anything in particular you want to say to me?”

The girl’s answer was prompt, but not at all unpleasant.

“Oh, no; that is, not now,” said Faith very quickly.  “I just want to get acquainted.  You know I could see you plainly when I was a packer and, well, I liked your looks and that’s about all there is to it.”

While she was speaking, Faith was conscious of a change in the girl’s face.  She was evidently trying to read her to see if there was anything behind this desire for an acquaintance.

Faith tried to smile brightly as she looked into her eyes.  She knew that she must win this girl’s friendship if she wished to help her.

“Let’s sit down here,” said the young woman shortly.  “I like this corner; it’s lighter than the others.”

They both sat down and opened their baskets, and while they hurriedly swallowed their luncheon, they talked a little.

“My name is Faith Marvin and I have Miss Jennings’ place at present at the ribbon counter.  I wrote that petition that you signed this morning.  Isn’t it too bad that the firm will not grant us that sacred privilege of accompanying our dead friend to her last resting place?”

Faith had introduced herself as well as she could, and now waited for her companion to follow her example.