has, during the past few days,
awakened many people of this town to their duty towards that very
estimable institution.

"The Women's and Children's Hospital is poor. It needs funds. Indeed, it
is about to be closed for lack of sufficient means to pay salaries and
buy supplies. The _Post_ has several times tried to awaken public
interest in the institution, but to no avail.

"Now, this child, as I have said, has done more than the public press.
And quite unconsciously, I have no doubt.

"This is the way great things are often done. The seed timidly sown
often brings forth the abundant crop. The stone thrown into the middle
of the pool starts a wave that reaches the very shore.

"However, if we act the play for the charity proposed or not, there is a
matter somewhat connected with it," continued the principal, his face
clouding for a moment, "that I am obliged to bring to your attention. Of
course, it is understood that only the pupils who do their work
satisfactorily to their immediate instructors, will have any share in
the production of the play.

"This rule, I am sorry to say, will affect certain members of our
athletic teams who, I find, have been anything but correct in their
behavior. I shall take this serious matter up in a few days with the
culprits in question. At present I will only say that the basket ball
match set for next Saturday with the team from the Kenyon school, will
be forfeited. All the members, I understand, of our first basket ball
team are equally guilty of misbehavior at a time when they were on
honor.

"I will see the members of the team in my office after the second
session to-day. You are dismissed to your classes, young ladies and
gentlemen."

The blow had fallen! Agnes was so amazed and troubled that she failed to
connect Mr. Marks' observations about the child who was arousing Milton
to its duty towards the Women's and Children's Hospital, with her own
little sister, Tess.

CHAPTER VI

JUST OUT OF REACH

Ruth Kenway, however, realized that it was Tess who was the instrument
which was being used in arousing public interest in the Women's and
Children's Hospital--and likewise in Mrs. Eland, who had given five
years of faithful work to the institution.

She was particularly impressed on this very afternoon, when poor Agnes
was journeying toward Mr. Marks' office with her fellow-culprits of the
basket ball team, with Tess' preachment of the need of money for the
hospit