Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1906-09-14

hnon Jonn MaAEef was teIN n VIZ
ever, although he was In the prime Of
manhood, with a comfortable income
and good habits. It waa universally
predicted that be could never win q
second wife.
For what manner Of woman-thAt u.
q the type fastidlous John Walker
would fancy - could contemplate the
prospect u BtsDm0thering seven daugh-
ters ranging In u from pert thirteen
20 ~precoeious four1
, II the children had been bora John
Walkers prospects would have been
more favorable. for q squad OF boys
can be turned aaeld. but ssven girls
to hear and heed until they should
come 70 m g when they would with
their lords departi
John Walker was domestic, and aftsf
two years Of widoweFhOOd he began to
yearn for q goddess OF his hearth and
home. The affairs Of his household
had not been administered 90 badly
since his wife died. The cook was q
pable and honest and had been reign
ing over the kitchen for eight years.
The seamstress, who had always spent
a month each spring and autumn sew
ing up" for the young Walkers. contln-
ued her visits. with the added respon-
sibllity OF selecting aud purchasing
material.
The eldest girl. Madge. was promis-
ing to be quito "a practical little house
keeper, but John Walker know that a
wise feminine hand and hoart were es-
Sentinl to tho guidance OF his active.
romping. unruly troop Of youngsters.
HO began to call assiduOusly upon
, Cecilia RaynO. a young woman re
! nOwned for her intellect, practically
and excellent judgment She accepted
) his attentions, though Fesorvedly, and
= with a general air OF careful consider
e alton and weighing In the balance"
E His intentions were regarded " IN
! mLstakable when he invited her. Will
= her mother, to visit his homo and drinl
= tea one afternoon. The children on Till
\ fateful day had never been 20 noisy o.
unattrucuve. Even Madge was bOis
ferrous and untidy.
John Walker did not know that !
was malice af~orothought on the par
OF his offspring. MadgO was preco
ciOus and acute cared. She had bear
Il said that John Walker would MARI
Just rs soon as he could md any one
to have him. She had sized mp Mis'
Rayno as q home ruler, and In the
Z mother Of Miss Rayne she scented
natural enemy.
So she lnstigRted aud encouraged re
beIIOn In her many sisters, and theli
e Department Carried tho day. Johr
0 Walker escorted his guests to theiI
8 home and returned with the Arm In
. tentlon OF administering unto his owl
something stronger than rebuke.
, He found his flock white rObod and
: sweet voiced, awaiting with upliftes
mouths his good night caress, and n
could not bring himself to ma thqiI
siumbers by so much as q word.
eff she only could have 10 them al
they are nowg' he thought with q re
gretcul sigh.
2 Madge's busy little brain workot
overtime that night on the solution o.
the stepmOther problem. A day o.
two after the eventfui visit OF Mis-
Cecilia Rnyne, as John Walker wa
: passing a little park, he met two o.
4 three kindergarten teachers walking
|: with their young charges. He gav'
3 them but a casual glance. when hi
3 attention was attracted by a deilghte'
CRY Of "Papar'
3 The iittiest and last child In the pro
eesslon let go Of the hand Of the youni
girl with whom she was walking AM
rushed up to him.
why, Tot" he said. taking her N
s In his arms.
Then he looked hesitatinsiy at III
young teacher. who was walking o.
slowly.
you must be Air. walker" sho sail
g naively. Il am Tots klndergartel
teacher"
Q care your" he asked inteFestodiy. I"
y didn't know that Tot attended a kir
dsrgnFten."
Il 'Didn't your sho asked anxiOuslJ
"MAdge brought hev TO school yestel
D. day and entered her as a pupil. l sur
h posed Il wal Jour WISH"
ID '4Of course Il IT," he replied Drompl
y ", 'Only ! hadn't thought Of Il befOr'
10 1 am glad Madgs Il 90 wise"
% sTvO learned lots. papa. I'm gOin
~ to prick yOu a card" assured Tot.
y Thank you, darling. Where Il you
school, Miss
n "Worden," she said. supplying III
Df name. 'sThe school is on the corner Q
0f Wood and Third streets. three block
e below. Are you fond Of children. ~
! Walkeff" she asked. looking up at "a
J. princess enthroned on has shoulder.
Naturally" he said. with a whiu
a seal smle.
~ Bho aushsd ana laughed q little.
InI sCOmo and visit our school som
lfl tina then"
d Il viii wHlk there win you now,
9, ~ responded promptly. setting 10
!. down on tho BidoWak.
~ ThO child instantly appropriated
hand of each guardian and OkpDo
n along betWoen them. --