"Thanks to her," whispered James Denton, with a look toward Faith. She was kneeling, convulsed with sorrow, with her mother's arms about her.
No one really knew how the secret leaked out first, for the physician, acting as he thought wise, refrained from telling it openly, but Faith soon learned that Maggie's death was not natural—she had died by her own hand—it was her full and complete penance.
"It is not for us to judge," whispered Mrs. Marvin when she heard it.
"God alone knew her thoughts," was Faith's tearful answer.
When the news reached the store, even Mr. Denton wept. It was the end of a familiar but heart-rending tragedy.
And now it came time for Faith to change her plans—for reasons of her own she felt that she must stay behind the counter no longer.
James Denton had gone abroad, so she put him out of her thoughts as completely as possible; only a vagrant memory now and then showed her the lurking shadow of her girlish passion.
As soon as she could she had a talk with Mr. Denton, whom she found, as usual, busily working in his office.
"See, Miss Marvin," he said almost gayly as Faith entered the door, "here are a dozen letters from Christian people this morning, all congratulating me on the changes in my store! I have been getting a few every day, but this is a splendid showing! Here is one," he added, selecting an envelope, "who even offers to put a large sum of money at my disposal just as soon as I have proven that Christianity is practicable and profitable."
"And can you do this, sir?" asked Faith very eagerly.