The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-03-12
THE EVENING STORY
The Eighth Girl.
~ Belle Maniates.1

For what manner Of Woman-that is,
OF the type fastidious John Walker
would fancy-could contemplate the
prospect of stepmothering seven daugn-
ters rtngtng IN age from pert thirteen to
precOcious four?
If the children had been boys John
Walkers prospects would have been
more favorable. for squad OF bows can
be turned afteld; but seven girls to heal
and heed until they should come to an
age when they would with their LORDS
departI
John Walker was domestic, and after
two years OF widowerhood he began to
yearn for goddess Of his hearth and
home. The affairs Of his household had
not been administered so badly slHce
his wife died. The cook was capaDIe
and honest and had been reigning ever
the kitchen for eight years. The seam
stress, who had always spent a month
each spring and autumn sewing Up
for the young Walkers, continued her
visits, with the added responsibility OF
selecting and purchasing material.
The eldest girl, Madge, was promls-
ing to be quite a practical little house.
wife. but John Walker knew that
wise feminine hand and heart were es-
sential to the guidaI &c of his actt Fe,
romping. uurUly troop Of youngsters
He began to call assiduoGsly upon
Cecilia Rayne a young woman renown-
ed for her intellect, practicaltty and ex-
cenent judgment. She accepted his at
/ tanticns. though reservedly, and with
general air of careful consideration ARD
weighing in the balance
His intentions were regarded as un-
mistakable when he invited her. with
her mother, to visit his home and
drink tea one afternoon. The children
on this fateful day had never been so
noisy or unattractive. Even Madge
was boisterous and unudy.
John Walker did not know that it
was malice afOrethought on the part Of
/ his offspring. Madge was precocious
and acute-eared. She had heard it
said that John Walker would marry
/ just as soon as he could find any one
| to have him. She had sized up Miss
| Rayne as a home ruler. and in the
mother of Miss Rayne she scented
natural enemy.
So she instfgated and encouraged re-
/ bellion in her many sisters, and their
department carried the day. John
Walker escorted his guests to their
| home and returned with the firm inten-
ton Of administering unto his own
! something stronger than rebuke.
He found his flock white-robed and
sWeet-voiced, awaiting with uplifted
mouths his good night caress, and ne
could not bring himself to mar their
slum bers by so much as a word.
IF she only could have seen them as
they are now" he thought, with a re-
| gretful sigh
Madge's busy little brain worked
overtime that night on the solution Of
/ the stepmother problem. day or
two after the eventful visit of Miss
/ Cecilia Rayne, as John Walker was
passing q little park, ne met two or
three kindergarten teachers walking
with their young charges. He gave
! them but a casual glance, when his at
tentiOn was attracted by a delighted
! cry of "papa!"
| The littlest and last child in the pro-
cession let go of the hand of the young
girl with whom she was walking and
rushed up to him.
why, Tot he said, taking her up
in his arms
Then he looked hesitatingly at the
young teacher, who was walking on
slowly.
you must be Mr.. walker" she said.
naively- Il am Tots kindergarten
Are your" he asked. interestedly.
"I didn't know that Tot attended a
kindergarten
Didn't you?" she asked anxiously.
made brought her to school yeSter-
day and entered her as Il pupil. I
supposed it was your wish"
"Of course 1t is'' he replied prompt
". "only I hadn't thought OF it before.
I am glad Madge is so wise
1--WE learned lots, papa. I'm going
to prick you a card" assured Tot.
THANK you, darling. Where is your
school. Miss
'Worden," she said. supplying the
name. 1.-THE school is on the corner
of Wood and Third streets, three
blocks below. Are you fond of chill
dren, Mr.. Walker?" she asked, look
ing up at the princess enthroned on
his shoulder.
Naturally he said with vyhirn-
steal smile.
She flushed and laughed a little.
Come and visit our school some
time, then"
Il will walk there with you now"
he responded promptly, setting Tot
down on the sidewalk.
The child instantly appropriated a
hand of each guardian and skipped
along between them
Who takes her to and from
school?" he asked, rememb boring the
automobiles and trolley cars.
Made has, so far
''Madge said you could stop for me
Moons on your way home to luncheon %
said the little girl.
why. yes, so I can. How did Madge
know OF your school, Miss Worden p
ooh, Madge and I are old friends
give music lessons afternoons, and her
inseparable companion, Grace L,andon,
is one of my pupils
st wish you would give Madge les
sons too. Her teacher left the city
some time ago, and have neglected to
have her start again
Il should be glad to teach her" said
the girl simply.
Very we'll You may commence to-
morrow, If agreeable, and give her two
| lessons a. week"
shes a sweet little girl" thought
John Walker, as he pursued his way
from the kindergarten. ''She must be
Tom Worden's daughter. Poor fellowi
His failure took all he had. She's a
trump to take hold and help in this
way"
The first day that John called for
Tot he so cordially seconded the child's
| invitation to her teacher to come home
with them to luncheon that she was
forced to comply.
Madge's music hour was from $50
OF s, and she would not practice prop
| eriy unless her teacher would consent
| to stay to dinner. The children all
claimed her as a kindred spirit, and
called her "Bess," for which they were
sternly and Intellectually reprimanded
- AZ "a rar,f rr-l1n ara LIZ follourad