“I will ask Mr. Denton to come, if you wish,” said Faith, a little wonderingly, “and I am sure he will come.  He is very sorry for you, Maggie.”

“He’ll be sorrier, I’m thinking,” was the answer.  “But my time is up.  Good-by, Miss Marvin.”

“Good-by,” said Faith, sweetly, “and you believe me, Miss Brady.  You know now that I am innocent in regard to young Mr. Denton?”

“Bring the old man down, and I’ll believe it,” was her answer.  “If you will do that for me, I shall have some faith in your friendship.”

When Faith got back to the store she went straight to Mr. Denton, and repeated in as few words as possible her conversation with Maggie.

Mr. Denton had found out himself many things about his son, so Faith did not hesitate to tell the entire story.

“I can’t think that my son has really wronged the woman,” he said, sadly, “but he has been very reckless, I fear, and it is my fault in great measure.”

“And you will go to see her, will you not?” asked Faith, eagerly.

“With pleasure,” said Mr. Denton, “and I trust that with our words and our prayers, Miss Marvin, that we shall be able to bring the poor sinner to repentance.”

Faith left the private office feeling very hopeful and happy.  She was more so when she met Mr. Watkins just entering the building.

There was a hearty hand-clasp and an earnest greeting; then Mr. Watkins told her briefly of his recovery and his prospects for the future.

“I am to have the same position; only a much larger salary,” he said, brightly, “which will enable us to live in comfort without Sam’s working.  He can go to day school for at least another year.”

“Everything is shining with hope down here,” was Faith’s answer.  “Really, Mr. Watkins, you will be astonished at the changes.”

As briefly as possible she told him of her own good fortune, and giving him her new address, she cautioned him to keep it secret for the present.

“And now I have some news that will astonish you,” said Mr. Watkins.  “A rich old lady, whom I once met, wrote me a letter the other day—­she knew my poor sweetheart, and wants to adopt her brother.”

“Adopt little Dick?” cried Faith, in distress.  “I can hardly think of it, Mr. Watkins; yet we must look into it, of course.  I must not let my love for him stand in the way of his welfare.”

“That is what I thought,” said Mr. Watkins, soberly; “but do you chance to know her, Miss Marvin?  Her name is Mrs. Graham.”

“Yes, indeed, she’s the sweetest old lady in the world,” cried Faith.  “She used to come in here and shop, and Mary and I both loved her.”

“Well, I’m to see her to-night, and hear what she has to say.  I will tell you all about it later,” he said as they parted.

“It will be a better home than we can give him,” murmured Faith, thoughtfully; “for while we have a few thousands, Mrs. Graham has millions.”