Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1906-07-06

yitation 10 her teacher 10 come home
with them TO luncheon TINT she was
forced to comply.
Madge's music hour was from $50 to
0, and she would not practice properly
unless her teacher would consent to
stay to dinner The children nll claim
ca her as kindred spirit and called
her "Bess," for which they were stern.
~ ana ineifectually reprlmanded 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 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. tits kind in you to ask me,
but of course can't accept"
Why notW he demanded. "Your
father is going west on an extended
BUSINESS trip. and he won't need you"
Tbe. girl blushed, hesitated and then
said ftanKiy -
why, you see. of course, 1t would
really be all right, but then you know
people would talk-they wouldn't ap-
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 suppose you are grown
up enough for a chaperon."
II am twenty years DID," she said
with dignity.
"Indeedl A great age Well. have
second cousin, q meek, elderly wild
ow, whom the children rule firmly. l
presume she would like month or 80
at the cottage"
So 1t was finally arranged.
From that time on John Walker sud
denly regarded his children's teacher in
new light
like Bess could come to care for an old
duffer like me-" he pondered 81 had
supposed that she considered me an old
manp'
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.
"Bessv' he said suddenly
But the children had also called
"Bess,v and she was away for a romp
on the beach
She is only child, after ALL" he
thought, with sigh.
In the Walker boathOuse was canoe
which the children were forbidden to
use, but Bess one Sunday morning ven
tured forth alone In 1t. She managed
1t very skillfully, but on her return a
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.
{sshe was making great progress with
lay canoe, and as no rowed out
die penthouse she was landing al
y. 40 pier.
II was a 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 he
was Interrupted by Madge, who had
appeared upon the scene and who in.
stantly resented her fathers lecture
"You shall not scold herw she cried
hotly. Il wanted her for our step.
mother but I'll give her up II you
aren't going to BIO nice to her"
Bess turned red and pale by turns.
'T'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
l said, |, had thought Of you as my |
eighth girl. | don't want to think OF |
you as stepmother but do want
you to be my wife and n companion to
the girls because love you. VIII you
try and care for meW
The verdict OF the world was that
John Walker had eight girls now and
needed woman In his house more
than ever.