CHAPTER XIII.
A HEAVENLY INSPECTOR.
When Faith Marvin reached home after her unpleasant interview with thewell-dressed stranger, she was in a state of nervousness that nearlybordered upon hysterics. The fact that Bob Hardy was a witness to whatshe had supposed was a mere accidental meeting gave her an instinctiveclue to the identity of the man, and her cheeks flushed with shame asshe connected him in her thoughts with that insulting proposition of thedetective.
She had tried to compose herself, as usual, before going into hermother's presence, and succeeded so well that when they retired Mrs.Marvin had no suspicion of the interview. Neither did Faith acquaint herwith the extraordinary suspicions against Mr. Watkins, which she nowfelt ashamed to think she had harbored for a second.
She was much troubled in mind about the latter, for while she felt inher heart that Mr. Watkins was innocent she could not help thinking thathe, too, was shielding a thief. She wondered if it was because he feltthe same on the subject as had his sweetheart, Miss Jennings. She saidher prayers quietly and felt more tranquil after. There was a balm inreligion for her trusting heart, which she begged with all her soul toshare with others.
It was during this hour that she thought of Mr. Forbes, whom she knewwas to bury his only son on the morrow. Suddenly the thought flittedthrough her head that perhaps employees were somewhat to blame for notexpressing more sympathy for their employers in all serious matters.
"Perhaps they think us as heartless as we think them," she whispered toherself; then the impulse came over her to write Mr. Forbes a letter.
She rose quietly, so as not to wake her mother, and penned him the note.It came straight from her heart. She told him she was sorry for hissorrow. Early the next morning she went out and mailed it. Little Dickwent with her, hobbling along on clumsy crutches. The child had fallenin love with her at once, and, although he often cried for his sister,Faith could always cheer him and change his tears to laughter.
Late in the afternoon she rode down to the undertaker's. She had notbecome reconciled yet to parting with Miss Jennings.
As she reached the door two women were just leaving; they were MissFairbanks, the buyer, and Maggie Brady. Faith was startled for a minute,for she could not understand their interest. Neither one of them hadever shown the faintest liking for the dead girl, but now she noticedwith surprise that they had both been crying. "Truly, every cloud has asilver lining," she murmured to herself, "and who knows but what this isthe first glimpse of the lining! Oh, I do hope it will soon show itselfto poor Mr. Watkins."
The two women had passed her with a mere nod of the head. She opened thedoor of the establishment and confronted Mr. Watkins.
"Oh, what is it?" she cried, involuntarily, as she saw his face. "Don't,dear Mr. Watkins; don't take it so badly."
Mr. Watkins put his hand on her arm as she spoke. He was so faint andweak that he seemed obliged to lean on something.
"I--I have explained that matter about the money," he whispered,hoarsely. "Hardy will not annoy you any longer. The thief has beendiscovered."
He looked so wretched that the tears sprang to Faith's eyes.
"I am glad it is explained," she answered, hastily, "but you are ill,Mr. Watkins. You should go home this minute."
"Home--home!" repeated Mr. Watkins in a vacant manner.
Then with a fearful groan of agony he collapsed completely. As he fellto the floor several of the undertaker's clerks rushed forward andlifted him up.
"Another victim of conditions, of greed and avarice," said a voice inFaith's ear.
She turned quickly and recognized Miss Alma Dean, the woman inspector,whose card she had in her pocket.
Without waiting for Faith to answer, the lady went on speaking. The menwere laying Mr. Watkins on a sofa not twenty feet away from the body ofhis dead sweetheart.
"That poor fellow was a picture of health two years ago, before heentered the employ of Denton, Day & Co. I know his mother well; she is alovely woman, and he has a younger brother who is also in that store,and liable to follow in this poor chap's footsteps. I just came in tolook at that poor girl. I want to stamp her face indelibly upon mymemory. Thank fortune I am in a position to remedy some of the evils inthis world. As Government Inspector I can do considerable, but I mustlearn the length and breadth of the evil before I am fit to attack it."
Faith listened breathlessly to every word. The proprietor of the placewas also listening, and as she finished, he nodded his head as though hequite agreed with her.
Mr. Watkins was rapidly reviving under the kind care bestowed upon him,but before he was fairly alive to his surroundings Miss Dean tookFaith's hand and led her out on to the sidewalk.
"They will take him home--they are very kind people," said the lady,sadly, "but now, dear, you and I are confronted with a problem. How arewe to prevent the repetition of this horror?"
As Miss Dean asked the question she did not really seem to expect ananswer from Faith; it was more like a spoken expression of thoughts thatwere vexing her, made to one whom she knew was thoroughly sympathetic.
"This is the saddest demonstration of injustice that I have everwitnessed," she went on, slowly, "yet I know it is mild in comparisonwith others. It lacks the hideousness of exposure, so far as you see. Weonly know that one more crime has been added to the list, yet thedetails of that crime have been carefully spared us."
Faith knew that she referred to poor Mary's death, but she could findno words with which to manifest the depth of her sorrow.
"The fear of the law is our only hope, I guess," went on Miss Dean."They must be forced to comply with certain regulations. Many of thestores are doing so, under no compulsion whatever, but these people seemdeaf to everything but the jingle of their dollars."
"But the law cannot change their hearts," muttered Faith, at last, "sothe cure that it effects must of necessity be superficial. Oh, if onlythe fear of the Lord could be instilled into their system. If they couldonly be made to feel that to Him they are accountable!" She spoke withenthusiasm, her eyes and cheeks brightening.
"You are a good ally," said Miss Dean, watching her, "but, my dear, theday of miracles is ended."
"But with God all things are possible! It would be no miracle for Him! Idid not mean to infer that I or any human being could reach theirhearts, still our words and our prayers, are they not noble weapons?"
"I am not so sure," said the inspector, gravely. "I think, dear, I ambetter fitted to experiment on a purely worldly basis. For instance, Ihave already reported the condition of that cloak-room, the drainage,ventilation and unsuitable location. Then I have mentioned theinadequate fire appliances in the building as well as the long hours yougirls are obliged to stand and the short time which you are allowed forluncheon. I think that several of these matters will be changed at once,but there are others which will take longer or which may never beaccomplished."
"It will make them very angry, will it not, when they hear of yourreport? And the alterations will be expensive, especially when it comesto altering the cloak-room."
"Oh, well, we inspectors cannot worry over any personal feelings, mydear. Our duty is to make right all wrong conditions. We are to lookafter the health of people, not their money. The only question is how todo this in the quickest possible manner."
Faith glanced at her sharply. She was a handsome woman. There was aresolution in her face that commanded instant admiration.
"I am glad to have seen you to-day," Miss Dean said as they reached thecorner. "I find my sympathies are more and more enlisted throughacquaintance with you girls. Why, I feel that I would like youremployers to spend millions in making your labors a little lighter."
She smiled pleasantly as she spoke and offered Faith her hand.
"Good-by, dear," she said brightly, "there's a good time coming."
Faith watched her as she boarded a car--she was so ambitious, so full ofvigor and so nobly intentioned.
"If she were only an inspector sent from God,
now," she whispered, thena tremor shot over her frame at such a wonderful suggestion.
"Why should I not be an inspector sent from God," she murmured, "to seekout the dark places and let in the light? If it is only a candle flameit will help a little."
She turned abstractedly, almost dazed by her thoughts.
The next instant she was brought almost rudely to her senses. Some onehad called her by name. She turned and faced young Denton.