CHAPTER XXIII.
MISS JENNINGS' FUNERAL.
The rest of the day passed very pleasantly to Faith. She was soover-joyed at Mr. Denton's expressions in the morning that it seemed asif nothing could depress her spirits. The "peace that passethunderstanding," had come into her heart, and even Maggie Brady's glancesof hatred failed to cause her more than a passing sorrow.
That evening she hurried home, and had tea with her mother; then, takinglittle Dick between them, they went to the undertaker's establishment tobe present at the funeral of Miss Jennings. As they reached the placeFaith was surprised to see Mr. Day. He was standing on the steps talkingto two young men, whose appearance indicated that they were newspaperreporters.
Both Faith and her mother were heavily veiled, and as they mounted thesteps it was apparent to Faith that she was not recognized by heremployer. As they passed she heard him speaking in a most affablemanner. There were only a few words, but they made Faith shudder.
"We hope this sad occurrence will prove beneficial to our employees," hesaid blandly, "for they are apt to be thoughtless in religious matters."
"Did you hear that, mother?" Faith whispered the question softly.
"He's a hypocrite," answered her mother, with a moan of horror. "Justthink, Faith, he is one of the men who ruined your father."
The room in which the casket lay was well filled with young women, butnot half of their faces were familiar to Faith, although she concludedrightfully that they had all known Miss Jennings.
"Can you sing, miss?" asked a gentleman in black whom Faith saw at oncewas the undertaker. "I have secured a minister, but they did not allowme for singers."
"I'll try," said Faith, with a sob in her throat. "I can sing some ofthe Moody and Sankey hymns if you think they will be suitable."
"One will do," said the gentleman. "Sing it right after the prayer. Iexpect the others will all join in if you select a familiar one."
Faith nodded her head and looked around the room again. She soon sawMiss Fairbanks, Miss Jones and one or two others with whom she hadspoken during her brief period of service. Mr. Gibson came in just thenwith another reporter. The young man was taking down in shorthand whatMr. Gibson told him.
"It is the first death that has ever occurred in the store, andconsequently the firm is much distressed over it," said Mr. Gibson."They are remarkably considerate of their employees, and this poor girlwas a consumptive; she was ill when we hired her."
"Do you pay all the expenses?" asked the reporter, without looking up.
"Certainly, certainly!" said Mr. Gibson. "The firm is extremely generousin all such matters."
The reporter left just as the minister entered. It was apparent that forsome reason Mr. Gibson intended to remain as representative of the firm.
Poor little Dick cried miserably for the first few minutes, but hefinally fell asleep on Mrs. Marvin's bosom.
After the clergyman had spoken a few simple words, and offered a ferventprayer, there was a moment of solemn, breathless silence. Some oneentered softly. It was Mr. Denton. Faith had no opportunity to look athis face, for Mr. Davis, the undertaker, signaled her that it was timefor the hymn.
Almost without realizing it the young girl rose and went over to thecoffin. As she caught sight of the dead girl's face she seemed toreceive an inspiration direct from heaven.
Her voice was a soft, sweet contralto, and had been carefully trained.As she sounded the first note the silence in the room seemed deeper thanever. Not a voice joined in to help her with the hymn, for the girlswere all spell-bound at such unexpected music.
With her eyes bent lovingly on her dead friend's face, Faith finishedthe verse of the hymn she had selected, but as she reached the refrainshe raised her eyes beseechingly, and her glance fell directly upon thebowed head of Mr. Denton.
"It profiteth nothing, and fearful the cost To gain the Whole world if thy soul shall be lost--"
The words rang from her lips like the peal of a bell. There was prayer,supplication, eagerness in every intonation.
As the last note died away several of the girls burst out crying, andMr. Denton raised his head and looked at her.
Faith took her seat calmly. The inspiration had not left her. She feltlifted up in soul into a higher atmosphere, where there was no pain orsorrow--only tenderness and rejoicing.
The rest followed swiftly. The last farewell to the departed; with poorDick moaning and sobbing, the ladies turned their footsteps homeward.
Faith caught a glimpse of Mr. Denton walking rapidly down the street.The next moment she heard her name spoken, and turned to greet MissDean, the store inspector.
"Am I too late?" asked Miss Dean, extending her hand cordially. "I wasdetained at the last moment. I intended being present at the funeral."
"I am sorry you were not," said Faith sincerely, then, after introducingher mother and little Dick, she made an eager communication.
"I really believe, Miss Dean, that poor Mary's death has accomplishedgreat things! I am sure that Mr. Denton has felt it keenly, and that herdying words have awakened his sleeping conscience."
Miss Dean looked surprised, but did not reply, so Faith went on to tellwhy she thought so.
After she had related her conversation with Mr. Denton in the morning,the lady suddenly put her hand on her arm and looked at her searchingly.
"If you have accomplished that, you have indeed worked a miracle," shesaid, decidedly; "but deeds speak louder than words. We shall see howMr. Denton puts his conversation into practice."
"Oh, that's it," said Mrs. Marvin, quickly. "Practice and precept arequite different things. Why, those men are all church members, do youknow, Miss Dean; yet see how little their religion is allowed toinfluence their lives. It seems as if it was kept only for funerals andSundays."
"That has been my observation in nearly every instance," said Miss Dean,slowly. "I have often said that if I could see a conscientious ChristianI would be willing to give up some of my present theories."
"Do tell us one of your theories," said Mrs. Marvin. "I, too, am verybitter against hypocrisy in the church. I shall be glad if some one elsefeels the same as I do, for my daughter is constantly reproving me formy distrust and bitterness."
"Well, for one thing," said Miss Dean, "I think religion impracticable.No person can follow Christ and succeed in any line of business."
"I agree with you," exclaimed Mrs. Marvin, promptly. "The principles ofChristianity oppose success at every turn. To be Christ-like one mustalways be poor, always weak and, consequently, always downtrodden."
"Your daughter does not believe that," said Miss Dean, smiling.
Faith was so in earnest when she answered that she stopped on thesidewalk and faced them.
"Is there any success greater than this," she asked, eagerly, "to earnthose precious words from the lips of our Saviour, 'Well done, thou goodand faithful servant,' and to receive at the end of life that joyeverlasting that is promised to those who follow Him, even though theybear the cross of worldly failure?"
Miss Dean stared at the young girl in honest admiration. While shequestioned her reasoning, she almost envied her. If a simple faith wasso satisfying it was certainly worth having, but to natures like hersthis simple faith was impossible.