The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1911-06-21

II should be glad to teach her." said
the girl simply.
Very well. You may commence to-
morrow, If agreeable, and give her two
lessons a week"
shes a sweet little girl" thought
John Walker as he pursued his way
from the kindergarten. She must be
Tom Wordens daughter. Poor fellow!
His failure took all be had. She's O.
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
yItation to her teacher 10 come home
with them to luncheon that she was
forced TO comply.
Madge's music hour was from $50
to 6, and she would not practice prop
erly 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
ly 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 a 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. Its kind In you 70 ask
me, but Of course can't accept"
why noty' he demanded. "Your
father is going west on an extended
business "trip. and be won't need you.
The girl blushed. hesitated and then
said FRANKLY
why. you see. of course, u 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.
II See" he laughed, nodding. But.
you see. you have come to seem to me
like one Of my own-my eighth girl,
call youbut suppose you are grown
up enough for chaperon."
II am twenty years old" she said
with dignity.
Indeed! A great age Well, have
a second cousin, meek, elderly wild
dow, whom the children rule firmly.
presume she would like month or so
at the cottage"
So Ii was finally arranged.
From that time on John Walker sud !
denly regarded his children's teacher !
in a new light.
81 wonder IL beautiful young girl |
ike Bess could come to care for an old |
duffer like me- he pondered. u had
supposed that she considered me an
old mani"
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' he said suddenly.
But the children had also called
"Bess," and she was away for a romp |
on the beach.
"She Is only child, after all, ne
thought, with a sigh.
In the Walker boathouse was a ca
noe which the children were forbidden
TO use. but Bess one Sunday morning
yentured forth alone in IL, She man
aged 1t very skillfully, but on her re-
turn 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
TO 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,
aIight 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 scoId her!" she cried
hotly. q wanted her for our step
mother. but IN give her up IL you
aren't going to be nice to her.
Bess turned red and pale by turns.
.
'Tll 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 said. had thought Of you as my
eighth girl. don't want TO think OF
you as a stepmother. but I do want
you 10 be my wife and a companion TO
the girls because love you. VIII you
try to care for meT'
The verdict Of the world was that
John Walker had eight girls now aud
needed woman in his house more
than ever