The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1921-01-03
True Merit
By CECILLE LANGDON


There was nothing that Ellis B0rteH
would not do for. the half score OF
young ladies who comprised a 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 en-
was as yet fully settled in a business
way, but his father had sonre means
and at this first little journey OF lis
son out into the social world had APP
parently provided for his enjoyment.
of the same literally. .--
1T 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 be-" challenged
Myra Warden. IF he is good enough
to invite to our homes and introduce
TO 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
tige can afford to be if you So elect.
muster at the grand reception and
other high social functions down al
Nadham's beach?"
'NIr Borten simply lacks knowing
the ways Of the artificial life we lead"
insisted NIyra. He is trihe crude
will admit, but a thorough gentleman
in every sense of the word. The girls
find him inclined to spend money free
~ and he is really Il royal entertainer,
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.
Wei, don't lead the poor. artless
fellow to believe that any OF you are
in love with him. He is a 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
~. a 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 BortelI announced that he
intended to round OUT a month Of the
most substantial pleasure of lis life
by taking a week at Wadham'S beach
1t was there that the girls paired off
with more chosen friends and lovers,
and IEI1is found himself Somewhat neg
lected. but he was always willing and
loyal to contribute in free moncysway
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 unin-
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 warded off the exactions of her
self-seeking girl friends whenever
possible.
There was a picnic to an outlying
island one day and Ellis was particu-
larry happy to be chosen as the special
escort of Miss Warden. They re-
manned until after dusk. notwithstand-
ing the fact that a 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-
ton was not followed until after the
wind had arisen and ii had begun to
rain. They neared the mainland with
the frah yacht a 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 CONTROL" he
shouted finally THE rudder has
broken and we must take to the surf"
ElllS SelZeQ lyra ana Sprang over
board as the craft capsized
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 were at hazard and |
the frightened escorts of the girls LOST |
both courage and manhood it would |
seem, for Ellis had the rescue of the |
shrieking half-drowned' girls all 70 /
himself. When the last one of them
had been brought safely ashore there
was not oneto of them who did not have |
he brave, bold Ellis to thank that they /
we're alive. +
1t was after that when Miss Warden
ook up more than ever with the com +
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