Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1920-12-16
%. 1890. Western Newspaper .n.on,
There was nothing that Ellis Bortell

but Is It right to encourage him in
spendthrift ways? The last one Of
you, to be plain, will drop him the
minute his bank roll gives out, as the
saying Is"
you talk as though we were a set
of girl pirates!" Indignantly retorted
Elsa.
@Well, don't lead the poor, artless
fellow to believe that any Of you are
In love with him. He is good deal
Of a 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
", 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.
Elisa Woods laughed to herself
when Ellis Bortell announced that he
intende1rto round out month of the
+ most substantial pleasure of his life
By taking a week at Wadham's beach.
:. It was there that the girls paired of
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
20 what was going on. and the wise
and worldly ones allowed him to join
their circle, merely as hanger on,
as Elsa cruelty expressed It.
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 unn-'
formed member of society was daily
more and more recognized by her.
There were elements 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 Yarded of the exactions of her
self-seeking girl friends whenever
possible.
There was picnic to All outlying
island one day and Ellis was partIcu-
larry happy to be chosen as the special
escort Of Miss Warden. They re-
mained until after dusk. notwithstand-
ing the fact that storm had lowered
on the horizon for some hours.
I'VE had better start for home"
Ellis, who was considerable of
weather prognosticator, had told the
others several times, but his sugges-
don was not followed until after the
wind had arisen and 1t had begun to
rain. They neared the mainland with
the frail yacht mere plaything at the
caparlce Of the tempest. Ellis was the
only one among the young men who
seemed capable. Of managing the craft.
'The boat is past control!" he
shouted finally. THE rudder has
broken and we must take to the surf"
Ellis seized Myra and sprang over
board as the craft capslzed.
It was with difficulty that he brought
her ashore. Faint. weak. exhausted as
she was, he placed Myra beyond the
reach of the waves, tore of his cout
and dashed back into the roaring
surf.
Precious lives were at hazard and
the frightened escorts Of the girls lost
both courage and manhood 1t would
seem, for Ellis had the rescue Of the
shriskins half-drowned girls all to
himself. When the last one Of them
had been brought safely ashore there
was not one Of them who did not have
the brave, bold Ellis to thank that they
were alive.
Il was after that when Miss Warden
took up more than ever with the CON-
pany of Ellis Bortell. She thanked
him only once for his manly efforts
In her behalf, but q new sense Of pro-
lection had come to her regarding him.
When his week was up Ellis returned
home. he had given the girls a good
time he told his father. and one girl
IN particular.
He could not forget that especial
enc. nor could she cease to think Of
the real worth and manliness that had
saved her In the hour of danger. He.
ventured to ask her to an automobile
ride later on. and amid flowers and
bird song and sunshine Ellis Borteh
Won the bride he 80 deserved.