Mag Brady’s arrest.

There was no mistaking young Denton’s words or looks.  Faith could not have been a woman and not understood their meaning.

For a second her lids fell in a tell-tale manner, and her cheeks paled and reddened with each alternating emotion.

She knew she must resent the young man’s words at once, but her confusion of the moment rendered her powerless to do so.

Suddenly a thought of Maggie Brady flitted across her brain.  It gave her strength and courage to resist the spell that was upon her.

“Your words are not sincere, I am afraid, Mr. Denton,” she managed to say.  “You only think to flatter me as you have numbers of others.”

The young man leaned back quickly, and a flush of shame mounted to his brow.

“God forbid!” he said, sharply.  “No, you wrong me, Miss Marvin!  As wicked as I am, I would not insult you.”

“But you did once!” said Faith, bravely.  “The first day I was in the store!  You bowed and smiled at me as brazenly as—­as though you did not respect me!”

It was out at last, and Faith’s mind was relieved.  She had never quite been able to forget that occurrence.

“That was because I did not know you,” explained young Denton, lamely.  “I thought you might be willing to flirt a little—­no one else ever refused me.”

“Is it possible?”

Faith asked the question in out and out amazement.  She could see by the young man’s face that he was not lying.

“The other girls were always glad enough to flirt a little,” he went on.  “You see, they knew I had money, and was willing to spend it—­you can’t blame them, Miss Marvin; they were a poverty-stricken lot!  It’s no wonder that the prospect of a square meal and a little recreation tempted them.”

“No, I do not blame them,” said Faith, very decidedly; “but I do blame you, Mr. Denton; it was wicked of you to tempt them.”

The young man’s face fell, and he shifted his position uneasily.

“We can’t all be sincere,” he said, rather irritably, “and what seems right to one often seems wrong to another.  I’ve been careless, I admit, and perhaps a little wicked, but don’t condemn me utterly, Miss Marvin.  Why not try to reform me?”

Faith glanced at him sharply.  There was not a trace of mirth in his face.  It was evident that he had asked the question in earnest.

“I wish I could,” she answered, smiling a little; “but if you really wish to reform, you can do it yourself, Mr. Denton.  You have only to pray, and your God will aid you.”

“But I lack faith,” he said, quickly.  “I don’t see things as you do, and, besides, ’the prayers of the wicked are an abomination unto the Lord;’ you see, I know that much about the Bible, Miss Marvin!”

“But you will be wicked no longer when you go to Him in the right spirit,” said Faith, brightly.  “Oh, go to Him, Mr. Denton.  It will give such pleasure to your father!”