Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1919-06-20
Proving His
Valor
By OTnLlA FRANCES pFEiEFER

Copyright. 1919. By Western Newrpuper upIcnS
When Ernest Druse came back from
the war, bearing the scars of several
wounds, Il record for exceptional
bravery and two honor decorations, the
! girls Of Rockton went fairly wild over
! him. He was hero. idol, and petted
ami feted favOrite, while stay-at-hcmes
became back numbers, for the time at
: least.
he makes me tired!" observed Val
Newcomb to a coterie of friends.
Hes mcnopolizer 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 himself !" jeered Val. Ibis
last captivation is Esther Wilde.
Seems to think oil he has to do is to
look at girl and she is his own spe-
cial property"
"Um! Sour grapes, eh?' was sug-
gested, which Val took with manifest
| Immature and walked away mutterins
| to himself.
W S'S w NNNlSe SO1Ie klDu Oh
move to make myself solid with the
girls" he soliloquized. sourly. 'It was
fair sailing with Esther until that
kE"ki wonder put in IN 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
| so easily. I'm going to set my thinking
machinery at work and see if l can't
devise some scheme to get the upper
/ hand of this audacious military mar
| VEL"
1t was two days later when Val Wis.
tied drinking place in the Stun Dor.
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 Dro-
| gram?" was his final Interrogation of
! him of low brOwS and furtive, evil eyes.
Trust me for staging the act &C.
cording to rule" was the confident re-
| ply.
| "All right. Don't disappoint me.
Tuesday night from eleven to twelve"
~'o" "a Aou AhNilSu ILSluST 10 I'D.
cal entertainment for Tuesday eve
mig and had prevailed upon her to &C
company him.
At the close of the entertainment
! they sauntered homeward slowly. 1t
was an exquisitely perfect June night
ana Val Kept his eye out closely, scan
ming tree and bush for the lurker he
expected to help him "stage a real act
| of valor."
He was simply courteous to Esther
| and did not seek to press his atten.
lions, 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 was precious heirloom in
the Wilde family, with which all Rock
! ton was familiar. 1t was diamond
sunburst, which Esther always wore
on important occasions. Val made
| sure that it was in place upon this par
! ticuiar 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, dear!" suddenly exclaimed Es-
iher, shrinking back in terror. A man,
wearing half-mask over his face, had
si;Tung from behind tree. In a
twinkling he had despoiled Esther of
the jeweled ornament.
"Stop, you ruffian :" shouted Val. dis
engaging Esther's arm, leaping upon
the audacious robber and fiinging him
to the ground.
go easy, mister" snarled the lat
ter, and, leveling. Il revolver, he strug-
gled to his feet.
BE careful (" quavered Esther. "He
is going to shoot
The footpad did shoot. Two sharp
reports rang out. The highwayman
turned and fed.
Il Will restore your property If ]
have to follow that mscrennt to the
! ends Of the ear:h!' Wanted Val.
Don't risk your life" began Es-
Their, tut with an injunction to hurry
| 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
she reached it, but stood at the garden
gate, peering anxiOusly down the
street. She was quite solicitous as to
the welfare Of her courageous cham
pion, 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 desperate
villain" announced Val. "He escaped
Inc, but not until had wrested from
him your precious property" and Val
extended the sunburst.