The Williamson enterprise. [volume] (Williamson, W. Va.) 1907-1911, 1911-03-09
CHAPTER VII. (contlnued,l

Well. 1T ended by Jim's graciously
permitting Bella to remain--there be-
ting 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 sensation beside which
Anne's pearls faded away. although
they came to the front again soon
enough
Jim broke the news at once, gather
ting everybody but HARRISON and Aunt
Selma in the upper. hall He was
palpitatingly nervous. but he tried to
carry 1t OF with a high hand
It's unfortunate" he said, looking
around the circle OF faces, each one
frozen with amazement, and just a
suspicion, perhaps, of incredulity.
It's particularly unfortunate for her.
You all know how high-strung she is,
and If the papers should get hold of 1t
well, well all have to make 1t as
easy as we can for her.
With Jim's eye on them, they all
swallowed the butler story without a
gulp. But Anne was indignant.
It's like Bella she snapped We'll,
she has made her bed and she can lie
on 1t. I'm sure | shan't make It for
her. But If you want to know my
opinion, Mr. HARRISON may be fool,
but you can't ram two Bellas, both nee
Knowles. down Miss Carpthers' throat
with stick"
We had not thought of that before
and every one looked blank Finally.
however, Jim said Bellas middle name
was Constantia, and we decided to
call her that. But it turned out after
ward that nobody could remember it
In q hurry. and generally when we
wanted to attract her attention. we
walked across the room and touched
her on the shoulder 1t was quicker
and safer
The name decided, we went down
stairs In a 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. | hone
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 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 IN on
stool and a pillow behind her head
She did not even look at us for a min
ute; then she merely glanced uD as
she turned page
Dear me-" she said mocktnelv
what lot of frumps you all are. /
had/hoped 1t was some one with nv
breakfast"
Then she went on reading. AS Leila
said, afterward, that kind of person
ought to be divorced.
Aunt Selma came down lust then
and left everybody trying to ex.
plain Bella's presence to her. and fled
TO the kitchen. The HARRISON man
appeared while was sitting hopeless
ly In front of the gas range, and show
ed me about it,
Il don't know that ever saw one"
he said cheerfully. "but / know the
theory. Likewise by the same token.
this tea kettle, set on the flame. viii
boil. That is not theory. however.
That is early knowledge. Polly. nut
the kettle on; We'll all take tear Look
at that, Mrs. Wilson. | didn't fight
bacilli with boiled water at Chicka-
manga for nothing"
And then he let out the policeman
and brought him into the kitchen. He
was large man, and his face was
curious mixture of amazement. alarm
and dignity. No doubt we did look
queer, still in parts OF our evening
clothes and in the white silk lace
petticoat that belonged. under my
gown. with yellow and black ma
jana coat of Jimmy's as a sort Of
breakfast Jacket
LIS 10 OAhSSi .huulgan, MT.
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 I
also explained to you. You are ap-
pointed dish-washer and iscullery
maid"
The policeman looked dazed. Then,
slowly, like dawn over a sleeping
lake, a light OF comprehension grew
in his face.
Sure" he said, laying his helmet
on the table. III be glad to be doing
anything ] can to help. Me and Mrs
Wilson We used to be friends It'a