id you would not be what you are just now, the embodiment of all that
is best and sweetest in woman."

CHAPTER XXXI.

MAG BRADY'S ARREST.

There was no mistaking young Denton's words or looks. Faith could not
have been a woman and not understood their meaning.

For a second her lids fell in a tell-tale manner, and her cheeks paled
and reddened with each alternating emotion.

She knew she must resent the young man's words at once, but her
confusion of the moment rendered her powerless to do so.

Suddenly a thought of Maggie Brady flitted across her brain. It gave her
strength and courage to resist the spell that was upon her.

"Your words are not sincere, I am afraid, Mr. Denton," she managed to
say. "You only think to flatter me as you have numbers of others."

The young man leaned back quickly, and a flush of shame mounted to his
brow.

"God forbid!" he said, sharply. "No, you wrong me, Miss Marvin! As
wicked as I am, I would not insult you."

"But you did once!" said Faith, bravely. "The first day I was in the
store! You bowed and smiled at me as brazenly as--as though you did not
respect me!"

It was out at last, and Faith's mind was relieved. She had never quite
been able to forget that occurrence.

"That was because I did not know you," explained young Denton, lamely.
"I thought you might be willing to flirt a little--no one else ever
refused me."

"Is it possible?"

Faith asked the question in out and out amazement. She could see by the
young man's face that he was not lying.

"The other girls were always glad enough to flirt a little," he went on.
"You see, they knew I had money, and was willing to spend it--you can't
blame them, Miss Marvin; they were a poverty-stricken lot! It's no
wonder that the prospect of a square meal and a little recreation
tempted them."

"No, I do not blame them," said Faith, very decidedly; "but I do blame
you, Mr. Denton; it was wicked of you to tempt them."

The young man's face fell, and he shifted his position uneasily.

"We can't all be sincere," he said, rather irritably, "and what seems
right to one often seems wrong to another. I've been careless, I admit,
and perhaps a little wicked, but don't condemn me utterly, Miss Marvin.
Why not try to reform me?"

Faith glanced at him sharply. There was not a trace of mirth in his
face. It was evident that he had asked the question in earnest.

"I wish I could," she answered, smiling a little; "but if yo