The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1911-03-17
CHAPTER VII. (cOntlnued.)

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 10 break the news OF
her presence to Anne and the rest. It
created a sensation beside which
Anne's 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
palpitatingly nervous, but he tried to
carry it off 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 it
well, Wen 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
gulp. But Anne was indignant
It's like Bella" she snapped. We'll.
she has made her bed and she can lie
on it. I'm sure shan't make it for
her. But If you want to know ny
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
sail her that But It turned out after
ward that nobody could remember it
In a 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 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. hope
she doesn't cry: You know the spells
she takes"
We stopped outside the door, and
everybody tried to look cheerful and
and not grinny-which
was as hard as looking as if we had
had a cup of tea-and then Jim
.hrew the door open and we filed in.
Bella was comfortably reading by
he fire. She had her feet up on
/ stool and pillow behind her head.
She did not even look at us for min
lte; then she merely glanced up as
The turned page.
Dear me-" she said mockingly.
what lot of frumps you all are! l
lad hoped 1t was some one with my
Then she went on reading. AS Leila
laid afterward, that kind of person
,ught to be divorced
Aunt Selma came down Just then
md l left everybody trying to ex-
'lain Bella's presence to her, and fled
o the kitchen. The HARRISON man
while was sitting hopeless
Y in front of the gas range, and show
d me about it.
81 don't know that I ever saw one"
e said cheerfully, "but l know the
heory. Likewise, by the same token,
his tea kettle, set on the flame, will
oil. That is not theory, however
hat is early knowledge. Polly, put
he kettle on; Wen all take tea Look
t that, Mrs Wilson. l didn't fight q
acilli with boiled water at Chicka-
lauga for nothing"
And then he let out the policeman ]
nd brought him into the kitchen. He
yas a large man, and his face was a
urious mixture of amazement alarm {
nd dignity No doubt we did look !
ueer, still in parts of our evening {
lothes and l in the white silk lace
that belonged under my {
own, with a yellow and black pa {
lma coat Of Jimmy's as a sort of {
reakfast Jacket S
This is officer Flanagan, Mr.
said. Il explained our un- q
position earlier in the morn {
lg, and he is prepared to accept our /
ospitality. Flanagan, every person
/ this house has got to work. as ]
lso explained to you, You are ap- b
ointed dish-washer and scullery t
laid"
The policeman looked dazed Then, t
iowly, like dawn over a sleeping t
Ike, a light of comprehension grew b
his face. q
Sure" he said, laying his helmet v
j the table. 'T'n be glad to be doing c
lything l can to help. Me and Mrs. t
'ilson we used to be friends. It's a