For Gold or Soul? The Story of a Great Department StoreSheldon, Lurana
General
For Gold or Soul? The Story of a Great Department Store
Sheldon, Lurana
Department stores -- Employees -- Fiction; Dime novels; Love stories; Young women -- Conduct of life -- Fiction
Again the admiring glance rested upon the fair girl's face, and it took
all Faith's composure to reply sedately.
"I shall be glad to think well of you," she said, a little shyly; "but
you have much to undo, I'm afraid, before that can be accomplished."
"You are thinking now of what you have heard of me," said the young
man, quickly.
"I am thinking of what I have seen," was Faith's decided answer, "and I
cannot think well of you when I look at poor Maggie Brady."
"Don't mention her name!" cried her caller, almost angrily. "It is bad.
enough for you to have to work with her, but it is worse to know that
you are wasting your thoughts on her!"
"Mr. Denton, I am ashamed of you!" Faith's voice rose instinctively.
"How dare you speak disrespectfully of one of your own victims?"
A half sneer passed over the young man's face.
"I thought she'd been telling a lot of tales," he said, fiercely. "No
doubt she has blackened my character through and through! I can never
hope to overcome your impression of me, Miss Marvin!"
"On the contrary!" said Faith, hotly, "she has never spoken of you to
me! All that she ever said of you was said on those two occasions in
your presence. But she doesn't have to speak, for I can see it in her
face. That girl's soul is on your conscience. You are responsible for
her, Mr. Denton!"
Young Denton turned and looked at her searchingly.
"So long as you believe that, there is no hope for me," he muttered.
The next moment he bowed silently and left the apartment. When he had
gone Faith stood a moment almost trembling with excitement. She did not
even try to explain her many conflicting emotions. This much she
knew--she pitied him exceedingly, he was so young, so weak--she could
reason no further.
When her mother came in she was crying softly. The events of the day had
completely unnerved her.
Mrs. Marvin finally succeeded in comforting her a little, and then
followed plans for the future, both for themselves and others.
They decided to move as soon as possible, so that they could accommodate
little Dick in a more satisfactory manner, and also have a room for a
servant and one for visitors.
It was a pleasant programme, and its arrangement cheered Mrs. Marvin
wonderfully. She was one of those women who droop under adversity, but
who spring up like a flower at the first gleam of sunshine.
Contrary to her wishes, Faith insisted on going to the store the next
morning. She was so decided about the matter that Mrs. Marvin dared not
argue.
"I shall say nothing about our fortune," she said, as she started,
"until I see exactly how it will affect my position as a helper."
The new cloak-room was swarming with girls when she arrived, and as soon
as Lou Willis saw her she shouted to her:
"Hello! Miss Marvin! have you heard the news? Lightning has struck
downstairs, and it is raining surprises!"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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