Part 39 (1/2)

There was a hearty hand-clasp and an earnest greeting; then Mr. Watkins told her briefly of his recovery and his prospects for the future.

”I am to have the same position; only a much larger salary,” he said, brightly, ”which will enable us to live in comfort without Sam's working. He can go to day school for at least another year.”

”Everything is s.h.i.+ning with hope down here,” was Faith's answer.

”Really, Mr. Watkins, you will be astonished at the changes.”

As briefly as possible she told him of her own good fortune, and giving him her new address, she cautioned him to keep it secret for the present.

”And now I have some news that will astonish you,” said Mr. Watkins. ”A rich old lady, whom I once met, wrote me a letter the other day--she knew my poor sweetheart, and wants to adopt her brother.”

”Adopt little d.i.c.k?” cried Faith, in distress. ”I can hardly think of it, Mr. Watkins; yet we must look into it, of course. I must not let my love for him stand in the way of his welfare.”

”That is what I thought,” said Mr. Watkins, soberly; ”but do you chance to know her, Miss Marvin? Her name is Mrs. Graham.”

”Yes, indeed, she's the sweetest old lady in the world,” cried Faith.

”She used to come in here and shop, and Mary and I both loved her.”

”Well, I'm to see her to-night, and hear what she has to say. I will tell you all about it later,” he said as they parted.

”It will be a better home than we can give him,” murmured Faith, thoughtfully; ”for while we have a few thousands, Mrs. Graham has millions.”

CHAPTER x.x.xIV.

MR. FORBES REACHES A DECISION.

Early the next morning Mr. Denton was in his office. He was almost the first person at the store nowadays, and, as far as he could, he looked after every detail of business.

At half-past eight the sample room was thronged with drummers, and each buyer was carefully inspecting the goods which he intended ordering for his special department.

More than once Mr. Denton interrupted some low conversation where he felt sure that a deal was being made which could not be adjusted to his newly awakened conscience.

Then came the opening of the morning mail. He had always intrusted this to others; now he gave it personal supervision.

Quite frequently he intercepted letters that he did not understand until he had investigated closely, with the aid of a detective, but in each instance the wrong-doer was treated with mercy, he was reasoned with and cautioned, a repet.i.tion would mean discharge on the instant.

Thus, almost daily he found fresh evidences of dishonesty, either in the firm's dealing with manufacturers or customers, or some treachery of employees, whose opportunity came to them in the form of mail orders.

Goods were ordered in this way frequently which could not be supplied, and an inferior grade was almost invariably subst.i.tuted. When this was done the ”mail order clerk's” methods were simple--either he or the firm were profiters through the transaction.

Mr. Denton finally thought out the solution of this unpleasant matter, and on this particular morning he summoned the advertising manager for the firm to his office.

Picking up a daily paper, he pointed to one of their attractive ”ads.”

”Bring me a sample of these goods, Green,” he said, a little sternly; ”you can get them of Billings, the buyer in that department.”

”Oh, that's only a blind, sir,” was the startling answer, ”Mr. Billings has some old goods that he is trying to work off. They are not quite up to the mark, but that 'ad' will sell them.”

”Do you mean by that, Green, that we are misrepresenting our goods?”