Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1906-06-21

some t.. ), IA have neglected t.
have her Start again
Il s.loula be CAD to teach her," sait
the girl simply.
Very we'll You may commence to
morrow, If agreeable, and give her tive
lessons Il week.
She's sweet little girl" though,
John Walker as he pursued his way
from the kindergarten. She must be
Tom WordeI's daughter. Ioor fellow
His failure took all he had. She's q
trump to TAKE hold and help in this
way"
The first day that John called for Tot
he so cordially seconded the child's in
vitation to her teacher to come home
with them to luncheon that she was
forced to comply.
Madge's music hour was from 80 to
6, and she would not practice properly
unless her teacher would consent to
stay to dinner. The children all claim
ed her as kindred spirit and called
her "Bess," for which they were stern
~ and Intellectually reprimanded 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 Il vacation more than any
one" said John Walker abruptly to
Bess one day. You must go with u.s."
THANK you very much" said the girl
gratefully. ITS kind in you to ask me.
but of course l can't accept"
"Why not?' he demanded your
father is going west on an extended
business trip, ana 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 APP
prove
She began to founder in her explana-
ton, and John suddenly comprchended
II sec" 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 4 c!n9eron."
II am twenty years old" she said
with dignity.
Indeed. A great age. Well, have
a second cousin. q meek, elderly wild
ow, whom the children rule firmly.
presume she would like a month or so
at the cottage
So 1t was finally arranged.
From that time on John Walker sud
denly regarded his chidren's teacher in
n new light
Il wonder IL beautiful young girl
like Bess could come to care for an old
duffer like me-" he pondcred. Il had
supposed that she considered me an old
man"
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.
"Bessr' lie said suddenly.
But the children had also called
"Bess," aud she was away for romp
on the beach.
"She is only child. after nll," he
thought, with sigh.
In the Walker bonthouse was a 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 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.
She was making great progress with
her tiny canoe, and as he rowed out
from the boathouse she was landing at
the pier.
1t was 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 ceHsure 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 herr She cried
holly. II wanted her for our step
mother. but I'll give her up II you
aren't going to be pic, to her"
Bess turned red aud pale by turns.
"I'll race you to the house. Madge.'
she cried, and they We're away.
"Bess," said John softly when he had
succeeded in getting an interview, "as
I 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 cemp&nion to
the girls because l love you. VIII you
try and care for me-"
The verdict OF the world was that
John Walker had eight girls now and
needed woman in his house more
than ever.
Complete Letter Writers.
49, .l,o 90 ,.tiacf Of fhacn HOn'Ipa "