CHAPTER XXII.
THE BEGINNING OF THE HARVEST.
As Faith wrapped her arms around the woman Mr. Denton appeared in the department. He was just in time to hear her ringing question.
There were a dozen or more customers standing around the counters, and they all stood staring in wide-eyed astonishment.
Mr. Denton saw that something must be done at once. It would never do to have a scene like this in the store, for, besides stopping business, it was productive of mischief.
In an instant he realized that he had to deal with Faith, for the woman was clinging to the girl and imploring her protection.
He went forward at once and spoke as calmly as possible.
"Take her up to the office, Miss Marvin, and quiet her if you can. She shall not be harmed. I have no doubt she is innocent."
"And I know she isn't," blurted out Hardy, angrily. He was frantic to think that the woman might escape him.
"Well, whether she is or not, she will be treated kindly," said Mr. Denton. "So use your power to make her go quietly, Miss Marvin."
As he said these words he looked straight at Faith, and the thankfulness in her eyes repaid him in an instant.
"Come, my friend," she said sweetly. "Come with me to the office. There is nothing to be afraid of. You will only have to prove your innocence."
The woman checked her sobs and went willingly. Faith's manner had calmed her fears in great measure. Mr. Hardy followed them to make his accusations, and Mr. Denton led them all to his own private office. As soon as they were there a woman detective was sent for, and the supposed shop-lifter was taken behind a screen and searched thoroughly.
While this was being done Faith was bursting with indignation.
"Just think of an innocent person being subjected to such an outrage!" she cried. "Oh, Mr. Denton, is there not some other way to do this?"
"I wish there was," said that gentleman shortly, "for our detective's mistakes have already cost us several thousand dollars."
"I don't wonder," said Faith. "A woman could hardly forgive such an insult, but your detective is capable of far worse, Mr. Denton; he is a very wicked man. I think it is my duty to denounce him."
If a thunder-bolt had fallen at his feet Hardy could hardly have been more astonished. He had not dreamed that the timid girl would dare tell what he had done, particularly as she had acquiesced, as he supposed, in his vile suggestion.
Mr. Denton glanced at her sharply, but she did not quail, although her cheeks were scarlet over the unpleasant remembrance.
"Eh! What has Hardy done? Tell me at once, Miss Marvin. You will never have a better time than when he is present to hear you."
"Oh, I would never tell it behind his back," said Faith. "I always deal fairly and squarely, even with my enemies."
As she spoke, she looked Hardy steadily in the eye. He saw that she would treat him justly, but with no mercy. It was a difficult matter for Faith to tell her tale, but she did it in a way that was absolutely convincing.
"And, oh, Mr. Denton," she cried in conclusion, "is it not enough that we girls have to work so hard without being subjected to such vile, unspeakable horrors?"
Mr. Denton put his hands to his temples and pressed them hard for a moment. The girl's words had overwhelmed him with the full sense of his negligence.
To be able to prevent all or many of these evils and then to be indifferent, thoughtless, neglectful. It had all come to him at once—while the girl was speaking, just as the first tinge of remorse had come when Miss Jennings was dying.
Hardy was standing like a statue, his face purple with anger. It was useless for him to speak. He was convicted without evidence.
Mr. Denton had not replied when the poor woman was led out. She had been searched thoroughly by the woman detective, but there were no stolen goods about her.
"That settles it, Hardy. You can go," said Mr. Denton wearily. "The cashier will pay you. I am done with your services."
"Oh no!"
Faith gave utterance to a pitiful cry. Hardy turned and glared at her a second and then left the office.
"Oh, I did not mean to get him discharged," groaned Faith. "Perhaps a little more mercy would have been far better."
"He deserves no mercy," said Mr. Denton, shortly. There was a decision in his words that was quite contrary to his nature.
The poor woman slipped away thankfully with a grateful smile at Faith, and she was left alone with Mr. Denton. It was the moment she had been praying for, and Faith did not intend to lose it Without a moment's hesitation she spoke softly to her employer.
"Please, Mr. Denton, may I say a few words more? They are not busy downstairs. I am sure they'll not need me."
"Say what you wish," was the answer, and Faith hurried on. Her very soul was on her lips as the words fell from them.
"There are so many things that might be done to improve the conditions for the girls—so much that would add to their happiness and comfort! And it would not take a penny from their sales, either, sir, for surely a clerk that is well and satisfied with her surroundings will be far more courteous to her customers as well as more loyal to her employers. If they could only sit down and rest now and then! It is awful to stand so many long hours. We grow faint and sick, and our backs ache terribly. Why, I have only been in the store a few days, yet last night I could not sleep, I was so lame and weary."
She paused for breath, and then hurried on. Mr. Denton had turned his face away, but was listening intently.
"There are all sorts and kinds of girls in the store, Mr. Denton; some are good and pure, while others are reckless and even vicious. Poor things, they have nothing behind them but memories of sorrow, and there is nothing ahead of them but hard work and trouble. It seems to me God never meant us to have it so hard—if He had He would have made our nerves and our muscles stronger. I think he meant us to do our share of work in the world, but he made men to protect us from the real drudgery of life, whether they were our fathers, brothers, husbands or employers. Of course, I am only a child in years, but it has all been forced upon me by a single week in the store. I have seen more sorrow in three days than I ever dreamed of, and I am praying night and day to be able to relieve it."
She came to a dead stop with the tears choking her voice. The next instant Mr. Denton rose and patted her on the shoulder.
"Bless you, child, you have shown me my duty at last!" he said, hoarsely. "I have neglected it long enough, but, with the help of God, I will neglect it no longer."
Faith gave a cry of joy as she heard the words.
"Oh, my prayers have been answered, dear Mr. Denton!" she cried. "I have been begging God to let me be His torch-bearer on earth, to carry the light into the dark places where it is so much needed, to banish with its glow all the shadows of evil!"