The St. Johns herald., 1898-04-23

iI VA voice.
 Tt is little Az nes Gregory" volunteered a dimple faced boy who sat near.
 Miss Shell crossed the room and ben over the child.
 Agnes, little sunshine lassie, wha is it? Can you not tell me about it?'
 Sobs were Agnes only reply. Miss Shell kissed her gently, then went back to her work. When it was finished and the children all provided with work she lifted the sobbing child and ten derly carried her to the teachers desk Here somewhat removed from the GU rious little ones, Lillian set about soothing her pupil.
 Agnes was pretty fair-faced child of 6. She had sunny blue eyes and hair, a golden chestnut, curled about her face and neck. Her clothing was clean but well worn, and Lillian notic- ed the gaping hole in the tiny shoe, as well as the thinness of the faded dress Noticed it with a sympathetic thrill of the heart that throbbed with some thing of the divine spirit of mother Cood toward the children in her care. 1 Agnes story was soon told. Her widowed mother had had no breakfast l for her little ones.
 "l don't care so much about myself, Miss Snell," the child went on, artless- ly, "'cauSe I'm mammals brave girl. 1 but when little brother Royce wakes up he will be so hungry and he is only 8 years old. He does not know he mustn't cry"
 A little more questioning and Lillian learned that some one owed Mrs. Greg ory for sewing, also that she hoped to have dinner ready when Agnes came home
 Lillian looked out into the driving storm of a January afternoon. She knew Mrs. Gregory and her heart ached for the pale young mother.
 Miss Shell was quick of thought and action. Ten minutes later Agnes was .n a warm cloak room, feasting on the dainty lunch Mrs. Shell had prepared for her daughters midday meal. The young teacher had written a note and a list of articles of food, and was at the door of the room across the hall.
 The teacher, Florence Fox, listened sympa thetically to Lillian's story and to the suggestion that her own 12-year- old brother be called from the sixth grade to deliver the note.
 "Of course Fred can gO," she cried, 'and Lillian. you say you have written to Mir. Davis the circumstances and asked him for good weight. I'll send an order to Cousin Hugh for a half cord of wood, tell him the story and ask him likewise for good weight"
 A faint crimson flush stained Lill- ians cheek, but she warmly thanked her friend and hurried back to her work.
 Mark Davis was stout. genial-faced man of 3S. He sat in his office. his mornings work at his books just finish ed. Through the open door he could see the brisk clerks stepping about in the grocery store from which the office opened. There was odor of spices, cof- lee, IIull duO uSD III the dlr.
 Eight hundred dollars more profit this year than last" the grocer said to himself. "Somehow 1t doesn't do man any good to pile up money when he has no one to spend it on."
 Here his reverie was cut short by the entrance of a clerk, who handed him an envelope. saying: "A boy just brought this"
 Two papers dropped from the en- velope as lie tore it open. The first was list, including a loaf of bread, potatoes, crackers. dried beef and a few other articles. He glanced over it and opened the other. Ii was Lillian's note.
 Dear MT. Davis: A little girl in my room is crying because she has had no breakfast. Her name is Agnes Greg ory, and her mother is poor widow, who lives on the third floor of No. Hampton street. Please send the things ordered at once. 1 will come in after school and pay for them. And, MT. Davis, please give good weight. Truly yours, LILLIAN SMELL.
 MT. Davis had been friend of the Shell family for years, and 1t was not the first time that Lillian had appeal ed to him for help in her charitable work. So that was not the reason that so strange a look came into his honest brown eyes.
 Agnes Gregory. and lives on Hamp- ton street." he murmured. Tt surely must be Margaret's child. Good God! Margaret and her child wanting breadw
 A half hour later Mark Davis was making his way up the stairs to the floor upon which Mrs. Gregory's rooms | were situated. His knock at the first | door was answered by a redfaced | woman.