After he had gone Mrs. Marvin spoke suddenly to Faith. "Do you know, dear," she said, simply, "I believe Mr. Watkins is learning to love you! He is a fine young man. Do you think you could care for him?" "Oh, no, no, mother! Don't ever speak of such a thing!" cried Faith, as if the suggestion hurt her. Mrs. Marvin looked at her keenly. Her suspicions were being verified. The next morning Faith was well enough to report for duty, and the very atmosphere of the store seemed changed as she entered. Miss Fairbanks greeted her with honest cordiality. There were tears in her eyes as she spoke to Faith of Maggie Brady. "Poor girl," she whispered; "she feels dreadful about her lot. She wishes she had kept silent forever about being Jim's wife and allowed him to free himself, which he could have done very easily." "But I thought she loved him," said Faith, faintly. "So she does," was the answer; "but she knows it was wrong for her to marry as she did. She says she knew he did not love her, and felt sure that he would never own her." "But he does now," said Faith, with a questioning look at the buyer. "Yes, I believe he has admitted that she is really his wife, but the poor girl has demanded that the marriage be annulled." Faith looked up eagerly, but she could not frame her question. "She has been praying, she tells me," said Miss Fairbanks, continuing, "and she says it is her duty to give Jim up, for to live with him would be wicked when he does not love her." Faith heard only the first words that Miss Fairbanks had spoken. Poor Maggie had been praying; then her heart was softened. "She is out, you know, and free as air," continued Miss Fairbanks, "but she is not coming back to the store. Mr. Denton has made her an allowance." "And you, Miss Fairbanks?" asked Faith, very softly. "Are you praying, too, or is it not yet the Lord's time? I am anxious for you to be happy in the 'light of His countenance.'" Miss Fairbanks laid her hand upon the young girl's shoulder. "Thank God," she said devoutly; "at last I am praying." As Faith moved on toward her counter she saw Miss Jones waiting for her. There was something in the girl's manner that struck Faith as unfamiliar. "Miss Marvin," she said, the moment Faith stepped behind the counter, "I am a rude, treacherous person, and I have wronged you cruelly! Have you the grace in your heart to forgive a traitor?" Faith grasped her hand, while the tears sprang to her eyes. "There is nothing to forgive, dear Miss Jones," she said, gently. "We have been sisters from the first, only you did not understand it; but tell me, is it through Miss Fairbanks that you feel so differently?" "Partly through her and partly through Mag Brady," was the honest answer. "Mag has told me how you talked to her, and she also told me what her husband said, that it was through your influence that he was now willing to own her." "Did Mr. Denton say that?" asked Faith, speaking slowly.