Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1911-06-24

moons on your way nome TO luncheon"
said the little girl
why, yes, so i can. How did Madge
know OF your school. Miss WordenT
"Oh, Madge and are old friends.
give music lessons afternoons, and her
inseparable companion, Grace Landon,
Is one of my pupils"
II wish you would give Madge les
sons too. Her teacher left the city
some time ago, and have neglected to
have her start again"
II should be glad to teach her." said
the girl simply.
every we'll. You may commence to-
morrow, II agreeable, and give her two
lessons week"
"She's sweet little GIRL" thought
John Walker as he pursued his way
from the kindergarten. "She must be
Tom Worden's daughter. Poor fellow!
His failure took all he had. She's
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 $40
to g, and she would not practice prop
erly unless her teacher would consent to
stay to dinner. The children all claim
ed her as a kindred spirit and called
her "Bess," for which they were stern
ly and Intellectually reprimanded by
their parent, who finally followed their
10 I'D hnV Inv IN
himself.
In the month Of July the Walkers
went to their summer cottage on a
lake some twenty miles from the city.
"You need a 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. TITS kind In you to ask
me, but of course can't accept"
"Why notT he demanded. "Your
father is going west on an extended
business trip, and he won't need you"
The girl blushed, hesitated and then
said frankly:
"Why, you see, Of course, 1t 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 comprehended.
IT 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.
Indeed! A great age. Well, have
second cousin, a meek, elderly wild
dow, whom the children rule firmly. ]
at the cottage"
SO it was finally arranged.
From that time on John Walker sud |
denly regarded his children's teacher |
In new light. a.
II wonder If beautiful young girl
like Bess could come to care for an old |
duffer like me-" he pondered. f'had
supposed that she considered me an
old manw
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.
"BessT' he said suddenly.
But the children had also called
"Bess," and she was away for romp
on the beach.
"She is only child. after ALL" he
thought, with sigh.
In the Walker boathouse was q ca
noe which the children were forbidden
to use, but Bess one Sunday morning
ventured forth alone in 1t. She man
aged it very skillfully, but on her re-
turn d sudden wind came up and made
the lake choppy. She had all she could
do to keep the 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
10 row out after her. Another emotion
besides anxiety surged within him
and he knew now that he loved this
playmate 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 a very merry, winsome face.
hight with the excitement and danger,
hat was lifted to his.
In tne reaction IrOm MS IrlBnC ne
vas beginning to censure her when he
was interrupted by Madge, who had
appeared upon the scene and who in
Itantly resented her fathers lecture.
"You shall not scold herp she cried
lotly. II wanted her for our step
mother. but III give her up II you
rent going to be nice to her"
Bess turned red and pale by turns.
'T'll race you to the house, Madge,"
he cried. and they were away.
"Bess," said John softly when he
lad succeeded in getting an interview,
as said, had thought Of you as my
ighth girl. don't want to think Of
'ou as a stepmother, but I do want
on to be my wife and companion to
he girls because I love you. Will you ,
" to care for meT'
The verdict of the world was that !
ohm Walker had eight girls now and 4
eeded woman in his house more {
han ever. I
Thin Women. I
The contention of DR.. Moots before /
he Ohio medical convention that there
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