The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1906-08-29

You need a vacation more than any
one," said John Walker abruptly to
Bess one day. "You must go with u.s.
"Thank you very mneh.p said he girl
gratefully It's kind Ia you to ask me,
but Of course can't accept"
why not?'' he demanded. sYour
father is going west on. an extended
business trip, and he. won't need you," !.
The girl blushed, hesitated and then
said frankly:
"Why, you see, Of course, it would
really be all right, but then you know
people would talk-they. wouldn't ape
prove" ~ A. f-s - as.s 2 - 10y ~ ;
She began to founder in her explana-
ton, and John suddenly comprehended.
81 see," he laughed, nodding. "But
you see you have come to seem to me
like one Of my own-my eighth girl, T
call you-but suppose you are grown
up enough for chaperon." - u
81 am twenty years DID," she said
with dignity. -.
'"Indeed! A great age. Well, have
a second cousin, a meek, elderly Wild
ow, whom the children rule firmly. T.
presume she would like q month or SO
at the cottage" 49," =
So it was finally arranged. e
From that time on John Walker sud-
denly regarded his children's teacher In
a new light.
II 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.
manv
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 r"
"Bess!' he said suddenly. .'s'.
But the children had also called.
"Bess," and she was away for: sromp
on the beach. g .,--..:- a...
"She is only. a child. after ALL" he
thought, with sigh, ,.s4.. .....
In the Walker boathouse was canoe
which the children were forbidden to
use, but Bess one Sunday morning ven
tured forth alone in it: She managed
it very skillfully, but on her returnsta
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. ..~.' s:.
She was making great progress with
her tiny canoe, and as he roWed out
from the boathouse she was landing at
the pier. g..
1t was a very merry, winsone 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 he
was Interrupted by Madge, who had
appeared upon the scene and who in
stantly resented her fathers lecture.
"You shall not scold herV" she cried
hotly. 81 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.
"I'll race you to the house, .Madge,"
she cried, and they were away. .~. =,
"Bess," said John softly when he had
succeeded in getting an interview, "as
I said, had thought Of you as my
eighth girl. l don't want to think 4of
you as a stepmother, but do want
you to be my wife. and companion to
the girls because love you: VIII you
try and care for meT'
The verdict Of the world was that
John Walker had eight girls wand
needed a woman in his hoygR more
than ever. saaN IN. =.