“But you surely will get caught some day,” said Faith soberly.  “No one can ignore or break the laws of God and man without being ultimately brought to punishment or repentance.”

“Well, so far as the laws of God go, I’m not worrying,” said Lou, with a shrug.  “He made me as I am and as He wanted me, I suppose.  I’m sure I hope He’s satisfied with His creation!  If He ain’t, He can make me over if He’s so almighty powerful, but when it comes to the laws of man, why that’s a different matter.”

“And how do you regard those?” asked Faith, trying hard not to be shocked.  The woman’s answer came like a clap of thunder.

“I look upon man’s laws as my natural enemies,” she said sullenly.  “They are made by a lot of people who know nothing of misery or starvation, and who are as incompetent to judge my actions as I am to judge theirs.  In other words, man’s laws are all institutions of the devil!  They force you to steal and then punish you for doing so!”

After a little of this reasoning Faith grew more helpless than ever.  It was like trying to melt an iceberg with a sunbeam to thaw that callous nature.  Only Lou’s violent temper and intense hatred of her enemies kept the woman from being adamant in matters moral or spiritual.

She surprised Faith frequently with her outbursts of remorse, the most of which were bestowed in the direction of Miss Brady.

“I saw her smiling at you to-day,” she said to Faith one night.  “Look out for her, Miss Innocent, that’s when she’s most likely to stab you!”

Faith trembled for fear that Lou would hear in some way of the box of poisoned candy, but strangely enough it had been hushed up for the present.

Some power, unknown to Faith, had stopped every tongue from blabbing.

“I expect it is some of Mr. Denton’s good work,” she said to her mother one night as they sat at supper with little Dick between them.  “If he can stop the gossip in the store he will accomplish a great deal, for I believe half of the bad friendships between the clerks are made through idle gossip.”

“He is doing wonders,” sighed Mrs. Marvin in answer.  “At last I am hearing of what looks to be conscientious Christianity.”

“You will hear of much more, I am sure, mother,” said Faith, “for I am told that Mr. Forbes intends to remain in the firm, and that looks as if he indorsed Mr. Denton.”

“Or awaiting the outcome,” added her mother quietly.  She could never quite accept her daughter’s innocent reasoning.

While they were still talking, a letter was delivered from Mr. Watkins.

He was “doing nicely at the hospital,” he said, and “on the straight road to recovery,” but what was better still, Mr. Denton was coming for his mother and had assured him that his position at the store was still open to him.

“Mr. Forbes must certainly acquiesce to that, mother,” said Faith again, “for Mr. Watkins was his office assistant; Mr. Denton would hardly put him back if his partner was not willing.”