The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1880-06-10

At last to Stella's surprise-she
found she had been in the house an
hour, and then she asked for the young
lady. "Your sister, 1 presume" she
added, politely.
The lady-whom Stella had learned
was Mrs. Keenan, by her mentioning
her husbands name-said she would
speak to her. She was not her sister,
but friend-Miss Anderson-and she
would introduce her with pleasure.
Excuse my not calling servant"
she said, as she was leaving the room.
1.-THE truth is that we hate the whole
race, and we only keep one in the
house. They are so ignorant, and such
. meddlesome, tattling set!'
"They are, indeedr' said Stella,
heartily, though. at the same time, she
wondered how they could get along in
that large house with only one servant.
After some minutes Mrs. Keenan, re-
turned and introduced Miss Anderson,
whom Stella found a bold-faced, loud
talking girl. But she, too, wore cost
ly dress, diamonds in her ears, and
hand loaded with expensive rings.
Diamonds, fine jewelry and rich
dresses covered up multitude of short
comings with the thoughtless girl, and
she soon forgot her first unpleasant i'm
preston of Miss Anderson, and was
talking with her like an old friend.
Another hour passed away rapidly,
for they soon became very familiar, and
then Stella rose to depart. promising to
come again soon.
eve 60 out very little" said they,
"and you must visit for both"
But I shall drag you out" was
Stella's last laughing remark, as she
went down the steps.
"Well, mamma, they're splendidr'
she announced, as she entered the sit
ting-room. "Mrs. Keenan, is just love-
ly, and her dress must have cost two or
three hundred dollars at the very least.
1t was trimmed with lovely real lace.
The house is perfectly splendid-ever
SO much nicer than when the Stuarts
had it--and Miss Anderson has dia-
monds enough to fit out half-a-6ozen
people.
Its grand over there, and I'm glad
l went. I'm going to ask Miss Ander-
son to drive out with me tomorrow.
Her names Annie. Isn't it SWEET
Annie Anderson! 1t sounds like a
made-up name. I like her ever so
much"
So she ran on, while Mrs. Walters
listened anxiously.
''Are they strangers in town." she
asked at last, when Stella was obliged
to stop for breath.
81 declare! 1 forgot to ask" said
Stella, remembering suddenly that,
much as they had talked, the converse
ton had been all about herself and her
affairs, and the neighbOrs generally,
and not a word about themselves
With the exception of their names, she
really knew as little about them as be-
fore she went.
The next day was bright, and Stella
had her pretty new phaeton brought
up, and invited Miss Anderson to drive.
The invitation was accepted, and from
that day sprang up an intimacy be-
tween the two girls. Stella seemed to
be fascinated. :.
She, however, did most of the visit
ing. TWAS only after much persuasion
that Miss Anderson-Annie, as she
called her after the first day-called
upon Stella. When she did make the
call, she seemed to take an interest in
everything, admired all she saw, and
asked many questions about the house
and family.
Stella took her to her own room,
showed her her jewelry and clothes.
Then they talked about silver, and
Stella showed her an antique tea-urn,
an heirloom in her mothers family. It
was locked up in safe which had been
put into the house since Mr.. Walters
death, and none of the servants knew
about it.
Before long, Stella visited at the
Stuart House every day, and though
Mrs. Walters did not know it. she be.
came acquainted with Mr.. keenan, and
Mr.. Anderson, Annie's brother. Nearly
every time she went there, she saw
them.
MIR. Anderson was singer and player,
and MIR. Keenan, played chess and other
games. They had duets, and chess
playing, tableaux and charades and
games, and costly lunches and dinners;
and though the tables were served and
furnished in careless, hodge-podge
sort of way, the viands were the
richest and most expensive the markets
afforded. The one servant was good
common cook, and pastries, creams,
confectionery and fruits came every dav
from the best city caterers.
The odd things in their life had long
ago ceased to trouble Stella. In fact,
they never had troubled her much. The
family was to her simply eccentric, diff
ferent from the rest of the world, and of
course, better.
Why shouldn't people all do as they
liked? Why should everybody think
he must do just as his neighbor did?
She was young and willfrl and thought
less, and believed in independence.
So she saw nothing amiss in the
Keenans.
Mrs. Walters was concerned at first:
but after a few weeks of Stella's init
macy had passed, she concluded it was
merely girl-friendship for Miss An
derson, and gave the matter but little
thought. She, too, thought the family
"queer,"-a kind of people that all
properly-trained persons know are not
desirable acquaintances, though they
may be harmless.
Mrs. Walters did not suspect that
the two gentlemen of the family were
almost always at home. Stella only
mentioned them occasionally. She did
not think it best to tell how much she
saw of them, knowing well that if her
mother knew of this phase of her visits,
she would not approve of it.
Stella always went with fancy work
or a new piece of music in her hands,
and Mrs. Walters did not notice that
the work did not progress much.
Besides, just at this time, she was
much occupied with cares in her own
house.
She had a succession of losses in
the most unaccountable way; silver
spoons, money, table-linen, jewelry,
seemed to fairly melt out of the house.
She discharged two or three servants,
locked her closets and drawers with the
greatest care, and yet one thing after
anOf hor yvo,,ld dioannoor <;l1 mot a