There was a yearning in her voice that the woman could not miss. She stared at Faith steadily, as though trying to read her soul, and in a moment her face softened and she spoke more gently. "Oh, I have no doubt you are sorry for me, and all that," she said slowly. "That's natural, but, see here; I don't want any sympathy." "But you do want my friendship, don't you, Maggie?" said Faith; "and that is what I have come to offer you--just my honest friendship." In an instant the fiend in the girl woke again. "Do you expect me to believe that?" she hissed in a whisper, "after doing your best to cut me out with Jim Denton?" She glanced at the girl with a perfect storm of fury in her eyes, but Faith's glance did not waver; she only shook her head sadly. "I am sorry you will not believe me, Maggie," she said softly, "but it is the truth that I have never flirted with Mr. Denton, and the only times I ever saw him in my life before this trouble arose were twice, when you saw us together." "I don't believe you," said her listener, sharply. "If you had never flirted with him why did he send you candy?" "I don't know, I am sure," said Faith hopelessly. "Perhaps he thought I was young and silly, and would not know that he was insulting me." Miss Brady looked at her with some surprise in her eyes. "Did you consider it an insult?" she asked, slowly. "Certainly," said Faith. "He had no right to do so. He forced it upon me; I did not want it." "And he has never made love to you?" asked the woman eagerly. She was bending forward, staring at Faith with a strained expression upon her features. To save her life, Faith could not help blushing. Hers was a tell-tale face--it portrayed every emotion. "I knew it! I knew it!" cried Miss Brady sharply. "You would not blush as you are doing if he hadn't done it!" "But he hasn't, I assure you," said Faith, as soon as she could speak. "Mr. Denton has flattered me a little, of course, but I can honestly say that he hasn't made love to me." She was firm enough now, and her voice was very convincing. Miss Brady gazed at her steadily and seemed impressed with her candor. "Well, he hadn't better," she muttered sullenly. "Jim Denton had better take care--" She stopped suddenly. "I had forgotten," she said bitterly; "I am helpless and in prison." "But I am sure you will soon be free, Miss Brady," said Faith, "for I have utterly refused to appear against you, and--" "What!" exclaimed the woman in a startled whisper. "You have refused to appear against me--and you think me guilty?" "If I knew you were guilty I would still refuse," said Faith stoutly, "for if you sent that candy you must have been crazy!" Slowly the frown lifted from the poor girl's brow. She kept gazing at Faith as though she could hardly credit her senses. "You will not accuse me," she stammered again. "Well, that's more mercy than I ever expected on earth or in heaven."