Gunnison news-champion., 1919-08-29
Proving His
Valor
Q, o1RIIA FRANGsPfuFR

'cassrss,. 1873. b wsssa xsssss~ rs,u.l
When Ernest Druse came back from
the war. bearing the scars Of several
wounds, a record for exceptional
bravery and two honor decorations. the
girls Of Rockton went fairly wild over
him He was hero. idol. and petted
and feted favorite, while stay-at-homes
became back numbers, for the time at
least
''Iie makes me tired,- observed Val
Sewcomb TO a coterie of friends
Hes q mono.olizer SO far as the
company and attentions OF the ladies
are concerned: that Is sure" remark
ed one Of the group.
-ValOr. courage and all that sort Of
stuff! You'd think he had won the
war all by himseif," jeered Val. His
last cnptivation Is Esther Wilde
Seems to think all he has TO do is to
look at girl and she is his own spe-
cial property"
"Um, Sour grapes. chr was sue.
res,ed. which Val took with manifest
Immature and walked away mutterng
10 himself.
I've got TO devise some kind Of q
move 10 make myself solid with the
girls" he soliioquized. souriy. 1t was
fair sailing with Esther until that
Khaki wonder put In an appearance. ]
don't mind the general lot. but Esther
is the pick of them all. has money.
beauty and social position. and I'm not
going to give up my hopes and dreams
30 easily. I'm going TO set my thinking
machinery at work and see II I can't
devise some scheme TO get the upper
hand Of this audacious military mar
VEL"
II WAS two days later when Val Wis
tied a drinking place In the slum por-
ton Of the town. and was engaged In
an earnest. low-toned conversation
with rough appearing denizen of the
place for some time.
Think you can carry out the pro
gramf" was his final Interrogation OF
him OF low brows and furtive, evil eyes.
Trust me for staging the act ac-
cording to rule" was the confident re-
ply.
"All right. Don't dIsappoint me.
Tuesday night from eleven TO twelve"
Now Val had invited Esther to To-
cal entertainment for Tuesday eve
ming and had prevailed upon her to ac-
company him.
At the close Of the entertainment
they sauntered homeward slowly. II
was an exquisiteiy perfect June night
and Val kept his eye out closely. scan
ming tree and bush for the lurker he
expected to help him "stnge a real act
Of valor."
He was simply courteous to Esther
and did not seek to press his atten.
tons. for which Esther was truly
grateful. but all the time he was con-
graduating himself over the inevitable
homage and admiration that would be
due him when the act was consum-
mated.
There wns Q precious heirloom In
the Wilde family. with which all Rock
ton was familiar. 1t was a diamond
sunburst, which Esther always wore
on important occasions. Val made
sure that II was In place upon this par
ticular evening. Its value was very
considerable and he knew that Its loss
would be deeply mourned by the fair
GIRL he hoped to make his bride.
"Oh. dearr suddenly exclaimed Es-
ther. shrinking back In terror. A man.
wearing q half-mask over his face, had
sprung from behind a tree. In q
twinkling he had despoiled Esther Of
the jeweled ornament
'Stop. you rufiian - shouted Val. dis
engaging Esther's arm. leaping upon
the audscious Robber and fiinging him
to the ground.
''Go easy, mister!" snarled the lat.
tef. and. leveling a revolver. he strug-
gled to his feet.
BE careful r. Quavered Esther. He
b going to shoot"
The footpad did shoot Two sharp
reports rang out. The highwayman
turned and fed.
Il will restore your property II I
have to follow that miscreant to the
ends Of the earth !" vaunted Val.
Don't risk your life" began r.
t0efs out WIN an injunction 10 nuIty
home to safety Val dashed In hot pur-
suit Of the thief. and both were lost
to sight
Esther did not enter the house when
tie reached II, but stood at the garden
gate. peefing anxiously down the
street. She was quite solicitous as to
the welfare Of her courageous cham
pinn. although not one whit perturbed
ut the loss Of the ornament Then she
expressed sigh Of relief. At the end
of half an hour Val came Into view.
HIS attire was all awry. his collar torn
out Of place.
"A deadly struggle and a desperate
villainr announced Val. she escaped
me, but not until had wrested from
him your precious property" and Val
extended the sunburst.
Precious I" repeated Esther. with q