Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1906-06-21
THE EIGHTH
GIRL
By BELLE MANIATES
Copyright, 1908, by p. c. Eastment

When John Walker was left a wild
over. although he was in the prime of
manhood, with comfortable income
and good habits, it was universally
predicted that he could never win a
second wife.
1 For what manner of woman-that is,
of the type fastidious John Walker
would fancy could contemplate the
prospect of stepmothering seven daugh-
ters ranging In age from pert thirteen
\ TO precoclous four2
/ If the children had been boys, John
! Walkers prospects would have been
more favorable, for squad of boys
| can be turned afleld, but seven girls
TO hear and heed until they should
1 come TO an age when they would with
their lords depart
John Walker was domestic, and after
two years of widuwerhoOd he began to
yearn for goddess of his hearth and
home. The affairs of his household
had not been administered so badly
since his wife died The cook was ca
pable and honest and had been reign
ing over the kitchen for eight years.
! The seamstreSs, who had always spent
a month each spring and autumn sew
! ing up" for the young Walkers, contin-
ueI Ter visits. with the added respon-
! .ibility of selecting and purchasing
material
The eldest girl, Madge, was promis-
in1 to be quite Il practical little house
keeper but John Walker knew that
wise feminine hand and heart were es-
geatial to the guidance of his active,
Tonlping. unruly troop Of youngsters.
He began to call assiduously upon
Cecilia Rayue, young woman re
nowned for her intellect, practically
and excellent judgment. She accepted
his attentions, though reservedly, and
with q general air of careful consider
! alton and weighing IN the balances"
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 bols-
ferrous and untidy.
John Walker did not know that 1t
was malice aforethOught on the part
of his offspring Madge was preco-
cious and acute cared. She had heard
II said that John Walker would marry
lust 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 n
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
sIulnbers by so much as word.
IF she only could have seen them as
they are nowr he thought, with a re-
gretful sigh.
Madge's 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 a 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 n 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 hesltatingly 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. Il
didn't know that Tot attended kin
dergarten."
Didn't you?" she asked anxiously.
"Madge brought her to school yester-
day and entered her as pupil. sup
posed it was your wish
"Of course 1t is" he replied prompt
ly, "only | hadn't thought Of 1t before.
I am glad Madge is so wise"
"I've learned lots, papa. I'm going
to prick you card" assured Tot
Thank you, darling. Where is your
school, Miss
"Worden," she said, supplying the
name. The school is on the corner Of
Wood and Third streets, three blocks
below. Are you fond Of children, Mr..
Walker?" she asked, looking up at the
princess enthroned on his shoulder.
Naturally" he said, with a whim-
steal smile.
She flushed and laughed a little.
Come and visit our school some
time, then"
81 Will walk there with you now,"
he responded promptly, setting Tot
down on the sidewalk.
The child instantly appropriated
hand of each guardian and skipped
along between them.
"Who takes her to and from schOolT
he asked, remembering the automobiles
and trolley cars.
"Madse has so far"
"Madge said you could stop for me
moons ON your way home to luncheon"
said the little girl.
''Why, yes, so | can. How did Madge
know OF your school, Miss Worden"
"Oh. Madge and | are old friends. |
give music lessons afternoons, and her
inseparable companion, Grace iandOn,
~ one Of my pupils"
II wish you would give Madge les,
su-I to-. Her teacher left the city
SO. e tile ago AMI have neglected to
ho,c h,. start again"
Il sholld be glad to teach her" said
the girl simply