The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1906-06-07

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.
John Walker as he pursued his way
from the kindergarten. "She must be
Tom Wordens daughter. Poor fellow
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 childs in
vitation to her teacher to come home
with them to luncheon that she was
forced to comply.
| Madge's music hour was from $50 to
| 6, and she would not practice properly
unless her teacher would consent to
stay to dinner. The children all claim
ed her as kindred spirit and called
her 'Bess," for which they were stern
ly and Intellectually reprimanded by
their parent, who finally followed their
example and called her by that name
| himself.
In the month of July the Walkers
went to their summer cottage on lake
some twenty miles from the city.
! You need a vacation more than any
one,' said John Walker abruptly to
Bess one day. You must go with us"
THANK you very much said the girl
gratefully. Its kind in you to ask me,
| but of course can't accept"
why not:'' he demanded. "Your
father is going west on an extended
business trip, and he won't need YOU"
| The girl blushed, hesitated and then
said frankly:
really be all right but then you know
people would talk--they wouldn't APP
prove
She began to founder in her explana-
ton, and John suddenly comprehended.
II see,' he laughed, nodding. But
you see you have come to seem to me
like one of my own-my eighth girl,
call you-but l suppose you are grown
up enough for chaperon."
II am twenty years DID, she said
with dignity.
Indeed! A great age. Well, have
a second cousin, meek, elderly Wild
ow, whom the children rule firmly.
presume she would like month or so
at the cottage"
So it was finally arranged.
From that time on John Walker sud-
denly regarded his children's teacher in
a new light.
Il wonder if beautiful young girl
like Bess could come to care for an old
duffer like me-" he pondered. 81 had
supposed that she considered me an old
man."
A thrill stirred within him as he
looked up at the fair young face gazing
happily over the waters of the lake on
the first night of their arrival.
"Bess.' he said suddenly.
But the children had also called
"Bess," and she was away for romp
on the beach.
''she is only child, after ALL" he
thought, with sigh.
In the Walker boathouse was canoe
which the children We're forbidden to
use, but Bess one Sunday morning ven
tured forth alone in it. She managed
1t very skillfully, but on her return
sudden wind came up and made the
lake choppy. She had all she could do
to keep her little craft right side up.
John Walker, coming out on the We
randa Of the cottage saw her danger
and rushed to the boathouse, intending
to row out after her. Another emotion
besides anxiety surged within him, and
he knew now that he loved this play
mate Of his children
She was making great progress with
her tiny canoe, and as he rowed out
from the boathouse she was landing at
the pier.
1t was very merry, winsome face,
alight with the excitement and danger,
that was lifted to his.
In the reaction from his fright he
was beginning to censure her when lie
was interrupted by Madge, who had
appeared upon the scene and who in
stantly resented her fathers lecture.
you shall not scold herr she cried
hotly. II wanted her for our step
mother, but I'll give her up if you
aren't going to be nice to her.
Bess turned red and pale by turns.
"Ill race YOU to the house, Madge,"
she cried, and they We're away.
"Bess,' said John softly when he had
succeeded in getting an interview, "as
l said, l had thought of you as my
eighth girl. | don't want to think of
you as stepmother. but l do want
you to be my wife and companion to
the girls because l love you. Will you
try and care for meg
The verdict of the world was that
John Walker had eight girls now and
needed woman in his house more
than ever
Complete Letter Writer'S.
One of the earliest of these guides"
dated 1915, was styled "A President