the continuing story of stella and mary beth mary beth continued to enjoy her three mam pursuits in life , and also to derive a great deal of pleasure from the antics of her daughter stella , who at sixteen became something of a scandal in new orleans society , driving her automobile at breakneck speed , drinking in speakeasies , and dancing till dawn for eight years stella lived the life of a flapper , or a young reckless southern belle , utterly unperturbed by business concerns or thoughts of marriage or any future and whereas mary beth was the most quiet and mysterious witch ever produced by the family , stella seems the most carefree , the most flamboyant , the most daring , and the only mayfair witch ever bent entirely upon 'having fun ' family legend holds that stella was arrested all the time for speeding , or for disturbing the peace with her singing and dancing in the streets , and that 'miss carlotta always took care of it , ' going to get stella and bring her home there is some gossip to the effect that cortland sometimes became impatient with his 'niece , ' demanding that she straighten up and pay more attention to her 'responsibilities , ' but stella had not the slightest interest in money or business .