“I shall say nothing about our fortune,” she said, as she started, “until I see exactly how it will affect my position as a helper.”

The new cloak-room was swarming with girls when she arrived, and as soon as Lou Willis saw her she shouted to her: 

“Hello!  Miss Marvin! have you heard the news?  Lightning has struck downstairs, and it is raining surprises!”

“It’s a pity lightning didn’t strike the jewelry counter,” called another voice; “but if it did, I suppose it would find Lou insulated!  You’d go on talking just the same; ain’t that so, Willis?”

“I talk when I have anything to say,” was the girl’s curt answer, “but at present, if you please, I am addressing Miss Marvin!”

“Dear me, how respectful we are to some folks!” was the mocking reply.  “How did you manage, Lou, to get that handle before the Marvin?”

“Oh, do shut up!” was Lou’s emphatic reply.  “I want to tell my news and you are not giving me the chance!  They say that old Forbes has gone home sick!  He can’t stand the racket!”

“What do you mean?” asked Faith, as she hung up her hat.

“Why, the boss’ religious attack has upset him completely—­knocked him out in one round—­and I don’t much wonder.  How on earth could you expect any sane man to look on at the changes in this store and not shake in his shoes if he has money invested in the business?”

“What has Mr. Denton done now?” asked Faith, with great interest.

“Hired a lot of new hands, for one thing,” was Lou’s prompt answer, “and raised the salaries of more than half the clerks in the building!”

“Is that so, really?” asked a dozen voices.

“Well, as this happens to be my truthful day, you can depend upon it,” said Miss Willis, laughing.  “Oh, I tell you, girls, the millennium is coming!  I expect he’ll provide us soon with private carriages to ride to business!”

“Well, he has one of his own,” remarked Miss Jones, from the distance.  “He might at least hire a stage for us in stormy weather.”

“An excellent idea!” exclaimed Faith, impulsively; “only, as we live so far apart and there are so many of us, I’m afraid the suggestion is a little impracticable.”

“Then let him provide a dozen,” cried another girl, laughing.  “What is the cost of a dozen stages to a concern worth millions?”

“Oh, girls!” cried cash girl Number 83, as she came bounding in, “what do you think has happened?  Mag Brady has been arrested!  They say she’s been trying to poison Miss Marvin!”

Faith sank down in a heap on one of the new sofas which Mr. Denton had lately provided for their comfort.

It was out at last, in spite of their caution.  For a moment she was stunned by the suddenness of it.

The clerks all clustered around her and began asking questions, but she was too dazed to even think of answering any of them.

“I knew she’d do it!” cried Lou Willis, exultantly.  “I’ve warned you against her a dozen times, Miss Marvin, but that’s what you get for riling a jealous woman!”