Deming graphic., 1921-04-05
True Merit
By cEcILLE LANcDoN

young ladies' who comprised q group
to whom Roslyn Faber had intro.
duced him. Ellis was an instantaneous
success with the girls. No one under
stood that he possessed a fortune or
YVES as yet fully settled In business
way. but his father had some means
and at this first little journey Of his
son out into the social world had ap-
parently provided for his enjoyment
OF the same literally.
ut Is almost sin to encourage
him." said Elsa 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"
"Why should that be7" challenged
Myra Warden. "If he is good enough
TO invite to our homes and Introduce
10 our friends. why Is he not eligible
for full recognition at any timer"
"Don't be heroic, Myra. as you alone
'of all Of us with your wealth and pres
tlge can AFFORD to be II you 50 elect.
Do you think Mr.. Bortell would pass
muster at the grand reception and
other high social functions down at
Wadham's beach?"
"Mr Bortell simply lasks knowing
the ways Of the artificial life we lead"
insisted Myra. "He is a trifie crude ]
viii admit, but thorough gentleman
in every sense Of the word. The girls
find him inclined TO spend money free
ly and he Is really royal entertainer
but Is II right to encourage him In
spend,hrlft 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 n set
OF girl plratesl" Indignantly retorted
Elsa.
"Well. don't lead the poor. artless
fellow 10 believe that any OF you are
In love with him. He is a good deal
Of a man. despite his rare delight al
being noticed and taken up by you
pretty girls"
And your" insinuated Elsa, hui
Myra shrugged her shoulders careless.
ly, a slight flush on her delicate fea-
lures, however.
Somehow Ellis had been more
retlcent with Myra than with the 9th.
ers, probably due TO her prestige OF
wealth and position.
TI.a unnla Iouuhaa fa horcaif
when Ellis Bortell announced that he
intended to round out a month of the
most substantial pleasure OF his life
by taking week at Wadham's beach.
II 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
to what was going on, and the wise
and worldly ones allowed him to join
their circle, merely as a 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 unln-
formed member Of society was daily
more and more recognized by her.
There we're 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 warded of the exactions Of her
self.seeking girl friends whenever
possible.
There was a picnic to an outlying
island one day and Ellis was particu-
larly happy TO be chosen as the special
escort Of Miss Warden. They re-
maIned until after dusk. notwithstand-
Ing the fact that storm had hovered
on the horizon for some hours.
"We had better steJ' tor home."
Ellis, who was consider Ile OF a
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
rain. They neared the mainland with
the frail yacht mere plaything at the
caparice OF the tempest. Ellis was the
only one among the young men who
seemed capable OF managing the craft
'The boat Is past controli" he
shouted finally. "The rudder has
broken and we must take to the surf"
Ellis Aeized Myra and sprang over
board as the craft capslzed.
II 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 coat
and dashed back into the roaring
surf.
Precious lives were at hazard and
the frightened escorts OF the girls lost
both courage and manhood II would
seem, for Ellis had the rescue Of the
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
we're alive.
II was after that when Miss Warden
took up more than ever with the com
pany OF Ellis Bortell She thanked
him only once for his manly efforts
In her behalf. but a new sense Of pro