"Read it!" she said hoarsely, holding it out toward Mr. Denton. "Read it, and tell me if you blame me for doing as I did, and after you have read it say again that you will help me!" With a quick wave of horror coursing through his brain, Mr. Denton took the paper and quickly unfolded it. Only a glance was needed to show him what it was. Mr. Denton staggered to a chair, his face pale and haggard. "Oh, what is it?" asked Faith, looking from one to the other. Maggie Brady gave a short, hoarse laugh as she replied: "Only the certificate of my marriage to young James Denton!" CHAPTER XXXVI. JIM DENTON'S CONFESSION. As Maggie Brady made her startling announcement Faith's heart seemed to stop beating. She felt faint and dizzy, and spread out her hands before her as if to ward off something that was fast overcoming her. She tried to speak, but the words died upon her lips. In another moment she lost consciousness entirely and slipped heavily to the floor of the corridor. Mr. Denton sprang to his feet and attempted to raise her, while Maggie Brady stood like a statue, with her hands clasped tightly together. "Poor girl! your news has shocked her," said Mr. Denton absently. "She was over-anxious and excited about your welfare." "Men are easily deceived," was Maggie Brady's sad answer. "I can explain her condition more reasonably than that--the girl is in love with your son--my husband! I thought so before, now I am absolutely certain!" One of the jailers came in just then and led Maggie to her cell, and as the door closed behind her Faith came slowly to her senses. When she had revived completely, Mr. Denton led her quickly from the jail. He was too shocked and grieved himself to wish to remain another moment. During the ride back to the store there was hardly a word spoken in the carriage, for both Mr. Denton and Faith were in the most distressed condition of mind. In Mr. Denton's mind two thoughts were uppermost, his son's wickedness in the past and his duty in the future. At any other time he would have known how to act, but now he was sorely puzzled. Faith, on the other hand, was hiding her face from almost shame, for she had learned a secret in that brief moment at the jail which was overwhelming her soul in a flood of self-censure. The fair face of James Denton was constantly before her. His pleading eyes and glances of admiration haunted her. She felt, what she would not own even admit to herself, that in spite of his wickedness she was deeply in love with him. "It does not seem possible," Mr. Denton said at last. "I know my son was thoughtless, but I did not believe him wicked." Faith could not speak; she was crying softly. The knowledge of her love had completely crushed her. "Let me go home, please," she murmured, as her employer helped her from the carriage. "I am afraid I am too nervous to remain at the store."