The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1906-06-06
i i EH.E ! e EsffCsFi / / II
Gl z L.
BY BELLE MAsllATEs
2 5osepyrsgnr. Z 1908. by p. c. Eas.ment

manhood, with q comfortable income
and good habits, 1t was universally
predicted that he could never win q
second wife. 49,.
For what manner Of woman-that Is.
soe the typo fastidious John Walker
would fancy - could contemplate the
prospect Of stepmothering seven daugh-
tiers ranging In age from pert thirteen
TO precocious' four?
If the children had been boy,j, John
walkers prospects would have been
more favorable, for q squad uf boys
can be turned afieid, but se-Sn girls
to hear and heed until they should
come to m age when they would with
their lords depart!
John Walker was domestic, and after
two years Of widowerhood he began T.:
yearn for q goddess Of his hearth and
home. The affairs Of his household
had not been administered SO badly
since his wife died. The cook was Gu
.pable and honest and had been reign
ing over the kitchen for eight years.,
The seamstress, who had always spent
n month each spri.ig and autumn sew
Ing up'' for the young Walkers, contln-
;ued her visits, with the added respon-
sibility Of selecting and purchasing
material. -'..- T.
The eldest girl, Madge, was promis-
Ding to be quite practical little house
Keeper, but John, Walker knew that
wise feminine hand and heart were es"
Sential to the guidance of hia active,
romping, unruly troop OF youngsters.
He began to call assiduously upon
Cecilia Rayne, q, young woman re-
inowned for her ihseiteet, practically
rand excellent judgment She accepted
his attentions. though Feservedly, and
with a general air Of careful consider
.ataon and weighing In the balance"
Ais intentions were regarded as up-
mistakabls when he invited her. With
hes mothers to visit his he=is and drink
ftea one afternoon. The children on this
Hateful day had never been 60 noisy or
unnttractive. Even Madge was bots
1terous and untidy. '"r ...,... .<r..'
:, John Waiker did not know that It
Ewas malice aforethought ON the part
lot his offspring. Madge was preco-
tcious and acute cared. She had heard
1t said that John Walker would marry
Just as soon as he could find any one
ito have him. She had sized up Miss
Rayne as home ruler. and In the
mother Of Miss Rayne she scented q
natural enemy. !. ,:.....::,,, J.:
I SO abe instigated and encouraged re-
bellion in her many sisters, and thei:
ideportment carried >. the day. John
GWalkeyi escorted his guests to their
home and returned with the firm In
tention Of administering unto his own
something stronger than rebuke. i, RI.
S. ) i He found his flock white robed and
sweet voiced, awaiting with uplifted
mouths his good night caress, and he
tcould not bring himself to mar their
';slumbers by SO much as q, word. }
II = ''If she only could have seen them as
,they are nowr' he thought. with, a Ha-
sgretful sigh. 3 5jl: 5:: :=; !.
* Madge's. busy. little brain worked
overtime that night on the Solution OF
tehe s.ssspm0tner problem. A day ttlri
t4wo after the eventful Haalt ee Mfea
Cecilia Rayne;, ag John Walker was
tt:,as!.;;; q si1Iao .,arls he met .wo cr
fhree kinla.asT lasa 1aFte teachers walking
with thelr. young charges, He gave
them Sbnes a easaal glanceh when his
y !. attention was attracted by 4 desightea
< cry Of & sSs'. SIS
3: The ,Httlest and last child In. she pro
i $,cession let 90 o3 the hand OF the young
sstrl With whom she was walking and
Il Ruahed up to- him. 5> X; J, J 4 ;.. &. =,
S.rSVhy. Tot" I, he aa.d, taking her mp
); Hn bis arms! y; s II 3 3s = X
s.: Then he locked hesitatingly at: the
!; young teacileTs. who was Mailing g.
sslowIy. !5y ERE I I: =
I .You must be- = MI. Y walker" ans1, ,said