"Is that true? Is the store such a fire-trap?" asked the old lady quickly. "Dear, dear, what a place to cage a lot of human beings!" "The fire department has ordered the boss to put in more apparatus a dozen times that I know of," answered Miss Jennings, promptly, "but the building is insured and so is the stock. What do they care about us! We must take our chances!" "Well, I guess the danger is over now, so I'll go," said the lady. "Thank you, my dear, for your kindness. I wish I could do something to help you." "You have helped me with your sympathy," said Miss Jennings, quickly. "You shall see me again," was the old lady's reply. "As a Christian woman, I must look into this matter." She went away after shaking hands with Miss Jennings and smiling up at Faith in a friendly manner. The clerks who had rushed down from the second floor at the alarm of fire were coming back slowly with a shamed look on their faces. They trooped back up the stairs to their different departments just as a big sign was posted before the main entrance, stating that there was no fire in the building. It was an exciting half hour, but through it all Faith stood erect, ready and calmly waiting for anything that might happen. In the very midst of the commotion her quick eyes detected a fresh horror. She saw a clerk at a neighboring counter grab a handsome piece of jewelry and secrete it in her pocket with the rapidity of lightning. When order was at last restored Faith was in a most distressed frame of mind. She was dreading through sheer pity what she knew to be her duty. "All over, Faith, and no lives lost," called Miss Jennings softly. She was as absolutely colorless and apathetic as ever. "Oh, Mary," whispered Faith, "there's something I must tell you." She bent down from her desk after looking about sharply for the buyer. "Don't mind about Fairbanks, she has bolted!" said Miss Jennings with a laugh. "You can trust the heads of departments to save their own bacon!" "But, she thought of us, too; you heard her, Mary," said Faith. "Poor thing, she may be irritable, but she isn't bad-hearted." "I ain't so sure about that--but what is it, Faith? There will be no customers for some time, probably, so you have a right to talk to me." Faith leaned a little lower so she could whisper in her ear. "I just saw one of the clerks steal something," she said, "It was during the excitement. She has it in her pocket." "Oh, that's nothing!" Miss Jennings spoke as indifferently as ever. "Why, what do you mean?" Faith gasped in astonishment. "You surely do not mean that you approve of stealing!" "Approve of it, no!" answered Miss Jennings slowly. "But it doesn't concern you or me, either, Faith. The girl was probably desperate. I do not blame her!" "Oh, Mary!" Faith's words were redolent of bitter anguish. For the first time since they met she drew a little away from her.