Watkins spoke bitterly and with a tightening of the lips.
He was thinking of Miss Jennings as he finished his utterance.
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.
Pages:
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252