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

"Madgs said you could stop for mo
Moons on your way home 70 luncheon, y
said the little Sc
why, yes. 20 Z can. How aid MadEo
know Of your school. Miss WordenYf
"OA, Madgo and I are old friends. I
give music lessons afternoons. and her
tnsepnrabio companion. Grace Iandon.
h n OF my pupils"
II wish you would give Madgo les
o too. Ter teacher left TIE city
some time ago and I have neglected to
have her start again"
Il should be glad to teach her" said
the Eiri simply.
svery well. You ma commence to-
morrow. u agreeable, ana give her two
lessons . weVk.~
''Bhs's a sweet little girl" thought
John Walker be he pursued his way
from the kindergarten. "eho must Be
Tom Worden's daughter. Poor feilowl
His failure took all be had. She's a
trump 70 take hold and help In this
way"
The arss day that John called for Tot
be 50 cordially seconded the child'a IN
vitaton 70 her teacher to cone hons
with thom to luncheoa that abe Yves
forced to comply.
NadSe's music hour ~ from $50 to
g and she would not practice prqperfy
unless bar teacher would consent 10
STAY to dinner. Tha children al elalm-
ID her a. q Kindred spirit 80 ealied
her "Bsas," for which they were stern
=. - a..A-am.m. A.-N.A.AN -.
their parent who finally followed their
example and called her BY that name
himself.
In the month Of July the waIkers
went 70 their summer cottage on a lake
some twenty mites from thu city.
"You need q vacation more thar any
One," said John Walker abruptly 70
Bess one day. "YOu must 90 with u.s."
Thank you very much said the girl
gratefully. IT'S kind in you to ask me.
but OF course I can't accept"
why nOtT' he demanded. "YOur
father r. going west on an extended
business trip. and be won't need you."
The girl biushed. hesitated and then
said frankly:
"Why, you zee. OF course, Ir would
really be all right but then you know
people would tGlk-they wouldn't APP
prove"
She began to founder In her exDlana-
ton. and John suddenly eODprehendcd.
Il Sec" ho laughed. nodding. But
you sec you have come TO seem to me
like one Of my Own-my eighth girl. ]
call you-but ! suppose you are grown
up enough for a ~chapsrOn"
II am twenty years Old" she SAID
With dignity.
Indeed! A great age. Well. I have
a second cousin, a meek, elderly Wild
ow, whom the children rule firmly. l
presume she would like q month or 20
At the cottage"
So It was finally arranged
From that tlmO on John Walker sud
deny regarded his children'S teacher In
q new hight.
II wonder n a beautiful young girl
like Bess could come to care for an old
dufer like me-" he pondered. Il had
supposed that she considered me an old
mang'
A thrill stirred within him as be
looked up at the fair young face gazing
happily over tie waters Of the lake on
tho nrst night Of their arrival.
"BcssF" he said suddenly.
But tho children bad also called
"Bess." and she IVES away for a rOmT
on the beach.
"she il only a child. after all" hs
thought. with a sigh.
In the Walker boathOuse was q canoe
which tho children were forbidden to
use, but Bess one Sunday morning ven,
tured forth alone In It. She managed
e very skiilfully. but on her return 9
sudden wind cAmo mp and made the
lake cbOppy. She had all she could Dc
10 keep her little craft right side up.
John Walker, coming out o. The 70
randa OF tho cottage. saw her danger
and rushed to the boathOUae. intending
to row out after her. Another emOhOz
besides anxiety surged within him. and
he knew now that no loved this play
mate Of his children.
She was making great progress with
her tiny canoe. aud as no rOwed on
nom the boathouse she was landing q
the pier.
Il was q very merry. winsome face
Alight with the excitement and danger
that was lifted to his
In the reaction from his fright b
was beginning 70 eensurs her when b
was interrupted By Madge. who had
appeared upon the scene and who In
stsntiY resented her fathers lecture.
"YOu shall not scOld herr shO criot
hOtiy. II wanted her for OuT step
mother. but III give her up II yOI
l arsa't going to DO nice 70 her"
Bess turned rcd and pale b. turns.
TN race you 70 the house. MadS&'
She cried and they wOEO away.
"Bess." said John softly when be hal
Sueeeedod in getting in interview, "a
I said. / had thought Of you a M
eighth girl. I don't want TO think o
yOu as a StepmOtheF. but / DO wan
700 to Be my wife and = companion .
: the girls because I love you. WIN y0l
Try and carr for mef'
Tho verdict OF the world was tina
John Walker had eight girls now an
needed a woman in his house NOR
Athan ever.