Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1911-03-02
CHAPTER VII. (continued.)

~ sFNF IN VII kSOlEtnICQsj
Well, It ended by Jim's graciously
permitting Bella to remain-there be-
Ing nothing else to do-and by his
magnanimously agreeing to keep her
real identity from Aunt Selma and Mr.
HARRISON, and TO break the news Of
her presence to Anne and the rest. It
created a sensation beside which
lAnnes pearls faded away, although
they came to the front again soon
enough
Jim broke the news at once, gather
ing everybody but HARRISON and Aunt
Selma in the upper hall He was
Dalpitatingly nervous, but he tried to
carry 1t off with a high hand
ITS unfortunate" he said, looking
around the circle of faces, each one
frozen with amazement and just q
suspicion, perhaps, of incredulity.
Its particularly unfortunate for her.
You all know how high-strung she is,
and If the papers should get hold of it
well. we'll all have to make it as
easy as we can for her"
With Jim's eye on them, they all
swallowed the butler story without a
igulp. But Anne was indignant.
It's like Bella" she snapped. well,
she has made her bed and she can lie
on it. I'm sure l shan't make it for
her. But II you want to know my
opinion, Mr.. HARRISON may be a fool,
but you can't ram two Bellas, both nee
KNOWLES, down Miss Caruthers' throat
with a stick"
We had not thought of that before
and every one looked blank. Finally.
however, Jim said Bella's middle name
was Constantia, and we decided to
call her that. But it turned out after
ward that nobody could remember it
In hurry, and generally when we
wanted 10 attract her attention, we
walked across the room and touched
her on the shoulder It was quicker
and safer.
The name decided, we went down
stairs in line to welcome Bella, to
try to make her feel at home, and to
forget her deplorable situation. Leila
had worked herself into a really SYM
pathetic frame of mind
Poor dear" she said, on the way
down. Now don't grin, anybody. Just
be cordial and glad to see her l hope
she doesn't cry: You know the spells
she takes"
We stopped outside the door, and
everybody tried to look cheerful and
sympathetic and not grinny-which
was as hard as looking as If we had
had a cup of tea-and then Jim
threw the door open and we filed in
Bella was comfortably reading by
the fire. She had her feet up on
g stool and a pillow behind her head
She did not even look at US for a min
ute; then she merely glanced up as
she turned page.
Dear me" she said mockingIy
what a lot of frumps you all are! 1
had hoped it was some one with my
breakfast"
Then she went on reading. AS Leila
said afterward. that kind of person
ought to be divorced.
Aunt Selma came down Just then
and I left everybody trying to ex-
plain Bella's presence to her, and fed
TO the kitchen. The HARRISON man
appeared while I was sitting hopeless
ly in front of the gas range, and show
ed me about it.
i don't know that I ever saw one"
he said cheerfully, but I know the
theory Likewise. by the same token.
this tea kettle, set on the flame, will
boil. That is not theory, however
That is early knowledge. Polly, put
the kettle on; We'll all take tea Look
at that, Mrs. Wilson. l didn't fight
bacilli with boiled water at Chicka-
manga for nothing"
And theD he let out the policeman
and brought him into the kitchen. He
was a large man, and his face was a
curious mixture of amazement. alarm
and dignity No doubt we did look
queer, still in parts of our evening
clothes and l in the white silk lace
petttcoat that belonged under my
sown. with a yellow and black pa
jana coat of Jimmy's as a sort of
breakfast jacket
This is Officer Flanagan" Mr.
HARRISON said. Il explained our I'M
fortunate position earlier in the morn
ing, and he is prepared to accept our
hospitality. Flanagan, every person
In this house has got to work. as
also explained to you. You are APP
pointed dish-washer and scullery
maid"
The policeman looked dazed. Then,
slowly, like dawn over sleeping
lake, a light of comprehension grew
In his face.
Sure" he said, laying his helmet
on the table. I'm be glad to be doing
anything can to help. Me and Mrs.
Wilson-we used to be friends It's