Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1906-06-21
THE EIGHTH
GIRL
By BELLE MANDATES
Copyright. i.s. by P. c. Eastment


predicted that he could never win a
second wife.
For what manner of woman-that Is,
of the type fastidious John Walker
would fancy could contemplate the
prospect of stepmotherips seven daugh-
tiers ranging In age from pert thirteen
to precocous four!
If the children had been boys. John
Walkers prospects would have been
more favorable, for Il squad of boys
can be turned afield. but seven girls
to hear and heed until they should
come to IN age when they would with
their lords depart.
John Walker WAS domestic, and after
| two years of widowerhood he began TO
yearn for Il goddess of his hearth and
| home. The affairs OF his household
| had not been administered so badly
since his wife died The cook was Gu
pabIc 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 mp" for the young Walkers, contin-
| ned her VII is, with the added respon-
! sibility of selecting and purchasing
| material.
The eldest girl, Madge, WAS promis-
| ing to be quite practical little house
| koeper. but John Walker knew that q
| wise feminine hand aud heart were es-
| sential to the guidance of his active,
romping, unruly troop of youngsters.
| He began to call assiduously upon
| Cecilia Rayne. Il young woman re
| nowned for her intellect, practicality
| and excellent judgment. ShH accepted
his attentions. though reserred!y. and
| with general air OF careful consider
| alton and "wciehing in Che balance
| His intentions were regarded as UNI
| 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 bois-
ferrous and untidy.
| John Walker did not know that 1T
was malice aforethought on the part
| of his offspring. Madgc was preco-
| cious and acute cared. she hafe heard
| 1t said that John Walker would marry
| 1tlSI Ills SOOu us lfc tOiiu hid ithy ohS
to have him. She had sized up Miss
Rayne as home ruler, and in the
| mother of Miss Rayne she scented a
| natural enemy.
| SO she instigated and encouraged re-
| belion in her many sisters, and their
| department carried the day. John
Walker escorted his guests to their
| I. GsYtN IN
| tention 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 he
| could not bring himself to mar their
| slumbers by so much as Il word.
IF she only could have seen them as
| they are now" he thought, with re-
| gretful sigh.
Madges busy little brain worked
| overtime that night on the solution OF
the stepmother problem a day or
two after the eventful visit OF Miss
| Cecilia Rayne, as John Walker was
passing Il little park he met two or
three kindergarten teachers walking
with their young charges He gave
them but ii casual glance, when his
attention was attracted by 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 ana
rushed I'D 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
naiyely Il am Tots kindergarten
teacher
Are you?" he asked interestedly. Il
didn't know that Tot attended kim
dergarten."
Didn't you?" she asked anXious'y.
"Madge brought her to school yester-
day and entered her MS II pupil. | sup
posed it was your wish
"Of course it is he replied prompt
ly, only hadn't thought of it before.
/ am glad Madhe is 50 wise" :.
1--WE learned lots papa. I'm going
to prick you card" assured Tot
'Thank you, darling, Where Is your
school, Miss
"Worden." she said, supplying the
| name. The school is on the corner of
Wood and Third streets. three blocks
below. Are you fond of children, Mr..
Walker" she asked. looking up at the
| princess cnthroncd on his shoulder.
Naturally" he said. with n whlm-
| steal smile
She flushed and laughed little.
Come and visit our school some
/ time, then.
! Il viii walk there with you now, :"
! he responded promptly. setting Tot
| down on the sidewalk.
The child instantly appropriated
| hand of each guardian and skipped
along between them
'Who takes her to and from SCHOOL,"
he asked, remembering the automobiles
! and trolley cars.
I "Madge has so far"
"Madge said you could stop for me
moons on your way home TO luncheon"
said the little girl.
1 'Why Yes So Cop How Jil HfaJra