Smyrna times., 1906-07-18
THE EIGHTH
GIRL
BY BELLE MANIATES
Copyright, 1905, by P. c. Eastment

When John Walker was left = ,vid
over, although he was in the prime of
manhood, with comfortable income
and good habits, it was univnreaII,,
predicted that he could never win =
second wife.
FOR what manner of wOman-thot ic
OF the type fastidious John Walker
would fancy - could contemplate tbo
prospect of stepmothering seven daugh-
ters ranging in age from pert thirteen
to precociouS four?
II the children had been bows. John
walkers prospects would have haan
more favorable, for a squad of bovs
can be turned afield, but seven pirIS
TO near and heed until they should
come to an age when they would with
their lords depart.
John Walker was domestic and of+or
two years of widowerhood he BEGAN to
!earn Tor Il goddess of his hearth and
nome. The affairs of his housebold
had not been administered so badly
since his wife died. The cook was co-
paDle and honest and had been reign
ing over the kitchen for eight wears
Inc seamStreSs, who had always spent
Il month each spring and autumn "sew.
ing up for the young Walkers. contin.
ued her visits, with the added respon.
sibility of selecting and purchasing
material
The eldest girl, Madge, was promis-
ing to be quite practical little house.
keeper. but John Walker knew that a
wise feminine hand and heart were es.
sential to the guidance of his active.
rOmplng, unruly troop of youngsters.
He began to call aSsiduouslv upon
Cecilia Rayne, a young woman re-
nowned for her intellect, practically
and excellent judgment She accepted
MS attentions, though reservedly. and
with a general air OF careful consider
alton and 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 bois-
ferrous and untidy.
John Walker did not know that it
was malice afOrethought on the part
OF his offspring. Madge was preco-
ciOuS and acute cared. 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 Il home ruler. and in the
mother of Miss Rayne she scented a
natural enemy.
SO she instigated 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 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 word.
IF she only could have seen them as
they are now" he thought, with a 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 little park, he met two or
three kindergarten teachers walking
with their young charges. He gave
them but a casual glance, when his
attention 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
naiveiy. Il am Tots kindergarten
teacher"
"Are you?" he asked interestedly. 81
didn't know that Tot attended a kin
dergarten." -gs1-s4ss -s4sssslss-..-.4-.---.-n.--
Didn't youT" she asked anxiously.
'Madge brought her to school yester-
day and entered her as 3 pupil. sup
posed it was your wish."
"Of course 1t is" he replied prompt
ly, "only hadn't thought of it before
| am glad Madge is so wise"
"Ive learned lots. papa. I'm going
to prick you a card" assured Tot.
"Thank you. darling, Where is your
school, Miss''-
"Wordeh,' she said; supplying the
name. 'The school is on the corner of
Wood and Third streets. three blocks