Las Vegas optic., 1911-11-11

COURAGE
By ELLA RANDALL PEARCE

way"
Geraldine Merrill waved the protes
aside with scornful sweep of hel
hand
"Conventional-that's the fata
word! Gilbert's met thousand girls
IN conventional way, and he
wouldn't look a second time at any
one of them No, Camilla. my plans
the best. ] know my brother-he ad
mires the strong, Independent type
and do so want him to like you; to
nave you make an impression.
Pleased"
csmilla's eyebrows went up dubious
ly, but her lips were smiling.
Isn't that funny sort of impress
sion to make on one-to meet him at
the door of his own home with a
wickedlooking revolver, and demand
to know his business?"
But you see there's a reason; and
you can carry it off splendidly," said
Geraldine, shaking her dark curls
yivaciously. IF asked Gilbert down
here to meet you. ten chances to one
he wouldn't come at all. And If I did
happen to present him to you, he'd
expect to be bored and run away.
NO, Camilla, in lace dancing frock,
with a rose in your hair and French
slippers, you wouldn't make hit at
all We've got to rouse him-to sur
prise him into attention"
"Um-m. see"
Camilla looked reflective, but at
least she did not object further
Geraldine pursued her advantage.
Il know Gilbert would like you if
you had chance to make your per-
sonality felt" she went on, eagerly.
You're really just suited to each 9TH
er; but of course your society manner
is just like any other girls-and he
tights shy of girls, laughs at them,
and calls them frivolous and vain and
shallow-and dependent on man! Yes,
and secretly, Camilla, | think he's
afraid of their little schemes. Gil
bert's awfully good-looking, you know.
wish had a picture to show you,
but that's another whim of his-he
wouldn't ever have his photograph
taken. oh. he'd just suit you, Ca
milla."
Camilla felt herself weakening. She
had long been interested in this elu- |
,ive brother of her friends, and |
everything she heard about him in |
creased her desire to meet him and |
win his favor. She was not frivolous |
,r vain or shallow, and she could |
manage to exist very comfortably
derrill-she would just love to con-
Iuer him!
Now, let me understand this dark |
nd dreadful plot thoroughly" she |
aid. "If / start, l must go on to |
lorious finish"
Geraldine spread her silky drap-
ries, drew her chair closer to her
ompanion. and began to recount her
lans.
The Merrills had gone to Idlehurst,
heir summer home, for the season.
nd Camilla Ogden, with her aunt.
vho acted as chaperon, had arrived a
ew days later. Gilbert Merrill was
ue to appear the following Saturday,
nth some weekend guests. He
yould come down from camp in the
but 1t was always his Gus
ON at such times to drop in at the
own house on his way, and remain a
light or two.
1t was a part of Geraldine's brilliant
Ian now to have her dear friend
amilla, with her aunt, go in town
Or the day and, apparently unaware
I the peregrinating brothers habits.
ought to enter the house, and brave
z order him out at pistols point
hen Gilbert would explain and apollo
ize, and be duly impressed with the
eroic behavior of the strange young
ady in "a white peignoir with her
air down like Juliet at the tomb, or
ady Macbeth in the sleep-walking
Gene"
Geraldine insisted on the white peig-
DIR and the hair down, but finally
on flowered Japanese
rap over a white gown, and two
angling braids, which, in Camilla's
ase. meant a magnificent display OF
uburn hair.
Camilla's aunt might have demurred
she had really understood their
ldden errand to the city, but she
as used to the whims and caprices
{ her pretty niece. When the shop.
Ing season was over, and they had
ntered the linen-draped Merrill home
/ the city, she looked surprised and
bit startled when Camilla drew out
polished revolver and laid it on the
ressing table.
Goodness. Camilla, what's that? I
cure not afraid, are you? Why, no
ne can get in without special key !
II the front door, and the rest of the
ouse is protected by burglar alarm,
nd there's a telephone"
Il know, Aunt Lydia, but it's always '
est to be on the safe side," said s
amilla. mo. I'm not afraid bit"
AS a matter of fact, Camilla was
'raid-but not of a burglar She