Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1920-12-23
True Merit
b. cEcsLLE LAMGDoN

AHefe was nothing that Ellis B0rtell
would Dot do for the half scoreg of /
young ladies' who comprised group 4
to whom ,toslyn t'aher had intro
duced him. Ellis was an instantaneous
success with the girls. No one under
stood tliai he possessed fortune or
was as vel fully settled in business
way. hui his father had some means
and al ibis first little journey Of his
son on, into the social world had APP
parently provided for his enjoyment
of the same literally.
vt is almost a sin to encourage
him" said,tii>a Woods. You know and
myself and the rest of our group that
he is simply stray wanderer into our
circle whom we must forget before
the season is over"
"Wliy should that be?" challenged
Myra Warden. III he is good enough
TO invite TO our homes and introduce
to our friends, why is he no, eligible
for full recognition at any timer"
Don't be heroic, Myra as you alone
of all of Us with gonr wealth and pres
tige car afford TO he if you so elect
Do you fhin'S Mr.. Rortell would pass
muster al he grand reception and
other high social functions down at
Wadlan's heach?"
''Mr Boriel simply lacks knowing
the Wuas Of The Artificial life we lead"
insisted Nara. "HeNs a tritle crude !
will atlIHit pt q lhcrough gentleman
in, -
find him incineo TO spend money free
ly and II" Is realty Il royai entestatnor.
but is 1t r.sAt 70 encourage aim in
spendthrifi ways? The 'ast ono of
you. 10 be n'an, will drop him the
minute his bank roll gives out. us the
saying is"
'You talk as though we were Get
Of girl pirates!" Indignantly retorted
Elsa.
We'll, don't lead the poor. artless
fellow to believe that any Of you are
In love with him. He is good deal
of man, despite his rare delight at
being noticed and taken up by you
pretty girls"
And you? insinuated Elsa, but
Myra shrugged her shoulders careless
ly. slight flush on her delicate fea-
lures. however.
Somehow Ellis had been more
reticent with Myra than with the 9th.
ers. probably due to her prestige of
wealth and position.
Elsa Woods laughed to herself
when Ellis Bowell announced that he
intended to round out month of the
most substantial pleasure of his life
by taking a week at Wadham's beach.
1t was there that the girls paired Off
with more chosen friends and lovers,
and Ellis found himself somewhat neg
lected, but he was always willing and
loyal to contribute In free money way
to what was going on. and the wise
and wor lily ones allowed him to join
their circle. merely as hanger on,
as Elsa cruelty expressed 1t.
Miss Warden was neither engaged
nor very partial to the opposite sex
and she and Ellis often met and the
sterling worth of this as yet unin-
formed member of society was daily
more and more recognized by her.
There were clements Of candor and
good Impulse in the young man that
attracted her. She refused to allow
him to spend his money in automobile
rides and expensive dinners, however,
and warded off the exnctions Of her
self-seekng girl friends whenever
possible.
There was picnic to an outlying
island one day and Ellis was particu-
lary happy 10 he chosen as the special
escort of Miss Warden. 1ney re-
manned until after dusk notwithstand-
Ing the fact that a storm had lowered
on the horizon for some hours.
1--WE had better start for home"
Ellis, who was considerable of
weather prognosticator. had told the
others several times. but his sugges-
ton was not followed until after the
wind had arisen and ii had begun to
roin. They nenred the nEnlnnd with
the frail yacht mere p!aything at the
cnparice of the tempest. Ellis was the
only one among the young men vino
seemed capable of managing the craft.
"rhe boat is past control! :" he
shouted finally. "Tle rudder has
broken and we must take to the surf"
Ellis seized Myra and sprang over
board as the craft cnpsized
1t was with difficulty that he brought
her ashore. Faint weak exhausted as
she was, he placed Myra beyond the
reach of the waves. tore off his coat
and dashed back into the roaring
surf
Precious lives we're at hazard and
the frightened escorts of the girls lost
both courage and manhood ii would
seem for Ellis had the rescue of the
shrieking half-drowned girls all to
himself. When the last one of Them
had been brought safely ashore there
was nor one of them who did not have
the brave. bold Ellis to thank that they :
were alive.
1t was after that when Hiss Warden
took up more than ever with the com
pany of Ellis Rortell. She thanked
him only once for his manly efforts
In her behalf lui new sense of pro-
lection Ind come TO her regarding him.
When his week was up Ellis returned
home He had given the girls n good
time he told his fnther, and one girl
in particular.
He could no, forget that especial
one. nor could she cease to think Of
the real worth and manlness that had
saved her i'm The hour of danger. He
vent,lreG to ask her to an automobile
ride luipi IN and amid hOwprs md