The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1880-06-10

At last = to Stella's surprise-she
'ound she had been in the house an
hour. and then she asked for the young
ady. "Your sister, 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 a servant"
she said. as she was leaving the room.
20 The truth Is that we hate the whole
race, and we only keep one in the
house. They are so ignorant, and such
a meddlesome, tattling setr"
"They are, indeedr' said Stella,
heartily, though, at the same time, she
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 a cost
ly dress, diamonds in her ears, and
hand loaded with expensive rings.
Diamonds, fine jewelry and rich
dresses covered up a 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.
"We go out very little" said they,
/" and you must visit for both"
''But l shall drag you out" was
Stella's last laughing remark, rs 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.
"It's grand over there, and I'm glad
I went. I'm going to ask Miss Ander-
son to drive out with me tomorrow.
Her-name's 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.
care they strangers in town." she
asked at last, when Stella was obliged
to stop for breath.
"I declared / forgot to ask" said
Stella, remembering suddenly that,
much as they had talked, the conversa-
ton had been all about herself and her
affairs, and the neighbors generally,
and not q 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. 1t was only after much persuasion
that Miss Anderson-Annie, as she
called her after the first day-callet
upon Stella When she did make the
call, she seemed to take an interest il
everything, admired all she saw, ant
asked many questions about the hous'
and family.
Stella took her to her own room
showed her her jewelry and clothes
Then they talked about silver, ant
Stella showed her an antique tea-urn
an heirloom in her mothers family. i
was locked up in a safe which had beel
put into the house since Mr.. Walters
death, and none of the servants knew
about it.
Before long, Stella visited at tn
Stuart House every day, and thoug
Mrs. Walters did not know it. she be
came acquainted with Mr.. keenan, an
Mr.. Anderson, Annie's brother. Nearl
every time she went there, she say
them.
Mr.. Anderson was singer and player
and Mr.. keenan, played chess and. otke
games. They had duets, and ches:
playing, tableaux and charades au
games, and costly lunches and dinner;
and though the tables were served an
furnished in a careless, hodge-podg
sort of way, the viands were tn
richest and most expensive the market
afforded. The one servant was goo
common cook, and pastries, cream:
confectionery and fruits came every da
from the best city caterers.
The odd things in their life had Ion
ago ceased to trouble Stella. In FAC
they never had troubled her much. Th
family was to her simply eccentric, di
ferent from the rest of the world, and {
course, better.
Why shouldn't people all do as the
likedP Why should everybody thin
he must do just as his neighbor did
She was young and willfnl and though
| l.lsax-aI nd n.
So she saw nothing amiss in th
Keenans.
/ Mrs. Walters was concerned at frs
but after few weeks of Stella's int
macy had passed, she concluded it w;
merely a girl-friendship for Miss Al
derson, and gave the matter but lit
thought: She, too, thought the fami
"queer,"-a kind of people that a
properly-trained persons know are n
desirable acquaintances, though the
may be harmless.
Mrs. Walters did not suspect tn
the two gentlemen of the family we
almost always at home. Stella on
mentioned them occasionally. She d
not think it best to tell how much 81
saw of them, knowing well that if h
mother knew of this phase of her visit
she would not approve OF it.
Stella always went with fancy VOL
or a new piece of music in her hand
and Mrs. Walters did not notice tn
the work did not progress niue
Besides, just at this time, she w
much occupied with cares in her oy
house.
She had q succession of losses
, the most unaccountable way; silv
, spoons, money, table-linen, jewelr
seemed to fairly melt out of the hous
She discharged two or three servant
! locked her closets and drawers with t
. greatest care, and yet one thing aft
' another would disappear, till not
> place in the house seemed secure exec
the safe.
At last, events came to n clims
g One night when John-the only man
Y the house-was away, the house W
robbed. Every bit Of silver. rich line