Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1911-11-10

COURAGE
By ELLA RANDALL PEARCE
No. As.

But, Geraldine, I'd rather meet
yoIr brother in a more conventional
way"
Geraldine Merrill waved the protest
aside with scornful sweep of her
hand.
"Conventional-tha the fatal
word! Gilbert's met thousand girls
in a conventional way, and he
wouldn't look second time at any
one of them. No, Camilla, my plans
the hest ! know my brother-he ad-
mires the strong, independent type
and l do so want him to like you; to
have you make an impression
Pleased"
Camilla'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
wicked-looking revolver. and demand
to know his business?"
But you see there's reason; and
you can carry it off splendidly," said
Geraldine, shaking her dark curls
vivaeiously. IF l asked Gilbert down
here to meet you, ten chances to one
he wouldn't come at all. And if | did
happen to present him to you, he'd
expect to be bored and run away.
No, Camilla, in a lace dancing frock,
with rose in your hair and French
slippers, you wouldn't make a hit at
all. We've got to rouse him-to sur
prise him into attention"
"Um-m, 1 see."
Camilla looked reflective, but at
least she did not object further
Geraldine pursued her advantage.
81 know Gilbert would like you If
you had a 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 girl's-and he
fights shy of girls, laughs at them,
and calls them frivolous and vain and
sha,low-and dependent on man! Yes,
and secretly. Camilla, think he's
afraid of their little schemes. Gil
bert's awfully good-looking, you know.
l wish l had a picture to show you,
but that's another within of his-he
wouldn't ever have his photograph
taken Oh, he'd Just suit you, Ca
milla."
Camilla fat herself weakening. She
had long been interested in this elu-
sive brother of her friends, and
everything she heard about him in
creased her desire to meet him and
win his favor. Size was not frivolous
or vain or shallow, and she could
without a man about. But Gilbert
Merrill-she would just love to con-
quer him!
Nov, let me understand this dark
and dreadful plot thoroughly" she
said. eff l start, / must go on to
glorious finish"
Geraldine spread her silky drap-
cries, drew her chair closer to her
companion, and began to recount her
plans.
The Merrills had gone to Idlehurst.
their summer home, for the season,
and Camilla Ogden, with her aunt,
who acted as chaperon, had arrived a
few days later. Gilbert Merrill was
due to appear the following Saturday,
with some weekend guests. He
would come down from camp in the
mountains; but it was always his Gus
tom at such times to drop in at the
town house on his way, and remain
night or two.
1t was a part of Geraldine's brilliant
plan now to have her dear friend
Camilla, with her aunt, go in town
for the day and, apparently unaware
of the peregrinating brothers habits.
to mistake him for a burglar when he
sought to enter the house, and brave
ly order him out at a pistols point.
Then Gilbert would explain and apollo
gize, and be duly impressed with the
heroic behavior of the strange young
lady in "a white peignoir with her
hair down like Juliet at the tomb, or
Lady Macbeth in the sleep-walking
scene"
Geraldine insisted on the white peig-
noir and the hair down. but finally
compromised on a Powered Japanese
wrap over a white gown. and two
hanging braids. which, in Camilla's
case, meant a magnificent display of
auburn hair.
Camilla's auhe might have demurred
II she had really understood their
sudden errand to the city, but she
was used to the whims and caprices
of her pretty niece. When the shop
ping season was over, and they had
entered the linen-draped Merrill home
In the city, she looked surprised and
a bit startled when Camilla drew out
a polished revolver and laid it on the
dressing table.
Goodness, Camilla, what's that?
You're not afraid, are you? Why, no
one can get in without special key
for the front door, and the rest of the
house is protected by burglar alarm,
and there's a telephone"
Il know, Aunt Lydia, but it's always
best to be on the safe side" said
Camilla. mo. I'm not afraid Bit"
As matter of fact. Camilla was
afraid-but not of a burglar. She
was really in q sort OF mild panic
over the thought of meeting Gilbert
Merrill, and fearful lest she should
play her part badly.
Still, 1t all seems very reasonable,
and at least It will be novelty for
him, she reflected.