Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 265, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 November 1911 — Camilla’s Courage [ARTICLE]

Camilla’s Courage

By ELLA RANDALL PEARCE

. '‘Bat, Geraldine, I’d rather meet your brother in a more conventional Geraldine Merrill waved the protest aside with a scornful sweep of her hand. 1 “Conventional—that’s the fatal word! 'Gilbert’s met a thousand gtris In a conventional way, and he wouldn’t look a second time at any one of them. No, Camilla, my plan’s the best. I know my brother —he admires the strong, independent type—and I do so want him to like you; to have you make an impression. Please!" Camilla’s eyebrows went up dubiously, but her Ups were smiling. "Isn’t that a funny sort of impression to make on one—to meet him at the door of his own home with s wicked-looking revolver, and demand to know his business?” "But you see there’s a reason; and you can carry it off splendidly,” said Geraldine, shaking her dark curls vivaciously. "If I asked Gilbert down here to meet you, ten chances to one be wouldn’t come at all. And if I did happen to present him to you, he’d expect to be bored and run away. No, Camilla, in a lace dancing frock, with a rose In your hair and French slippers, you wouldn't make a hit at all. We’ve got to rouse him —to surprise him into attention.” “Dm-m, l see." Camilla looked reflective, but at least she did not object further. “I know Gilbert would like you If you had a chance to make your personality felt." she went on. eagerly. "You're really Just suited to each other; but of course your society manner is just like any other girl’s—and be fights shy of girls, laughs at them, and calls them frivolous and vain and shallow—aad dependent on man! Yes, and secretly. Camilla. I think he's afraid of their little schemes. Gilbert's awfully good-loOklng, you know. I wish I had a picture to show you. but that’s another whim of his—he wouldn’t ever have his photograph taken. Oh, he'd just suit ; ou. Camilla." Camilla felt herself weakening. She had long been Interested In this elusive brother of her friend's, and everything she beard about him increased her desire to meet him and win his favor. She was not frivolous or vain or shallow, and she could manage to exist very comfortably without a man about. But Gilbert Merrill—she would just love to conquer him! "Now. let me understand this dark and dreadful plot thoroughly," she todd. "If I start. I must go on to a glorious finish."

Geraldine spread her silky draperies, drear her chair closer to her companion, and began to recount her plans / The Merrills had gone to Idlehurst. their summer home, for the season, and Camilla Ogden, with her aunt, who acted as chaperon, bad arrived a few days later. Gilbert Merrill was due to appear the following Saturday, with some week-end guests. He would come down from a camp in the mountains; but it was always bis'custom at such times to drop in at the town house on his way. and remain a night or two It was a part of Geraldine’s brilliant plan now to have her dear friend Camilla, with her aunt, go in town for the day and, apparently unaware of the peregrinating brother’s habits, to mistake him for a burglar when he •ought to enter the house, and bravely order him out pistol's point. Then Gilbert would explain and apologize. and be duly impressed with the heroic behavior of the strange young lady In “a white peignoir with her hair down like Juliet at the tomb, or Lady Macbeth in the sleep-walking scene." Geraldine insisted pn the white pelg noir and the hair aown. but finally compromised on a flowered Japanese wrap over a white gown, and two hanging braids, which, in Camilla’* cipse, meant a magnificent display of auburn hair.

Camilla’s aunt might have demurred if she had really understood their sudden errand to the city, but she was used to the whims and caprices of her pretty niece. When the shopping season was over, and they bad entered the linen-draped Merrill home in the city, she looked surprised and a bit startled when Camilla drew out a polished revolver and laid It on the dressing table. "Goodness. Camilla, what’s that? You’re not afraid, are you? Why, no one can get in without a special key for the front door, and tbe rest of the house Is protected by a burglar alarm, and there’s a telephone—” "I know, Annt Lydia, but It’s always best to be on the safe side.” said Camilla. “No. I’m not afraid a bit." As a matter of fact. Camilla was afraid—but not of a burglar. She was really In a sort of mild panic over they thought, of meeting Gilbert Merrill, and fearful . lest she should play her part badly. 1 “Still, It all seems very reasonable, and at least it will be a novelty for him." she reflected. Then she looked In the mirror. Heally. the Japanese garment flowing over her’ snowy draperies was very becoming. and she looked five years younger with her hair down. Her color was high, and her hazel eyed sparkling .1 ”,

“You may retire any time you like. Aunt Lydia," e\e said. “I’m going to read a white.” Aunt Lydia always was obedient, so Camilla was left alone. She had a book '>efore her, bpt the meaning of the story was quite lost to her. She was waiting sos that clicking sound at the front door below. , "Bother! he isn’t cummg at all. Well, I’ll go back to Idlehurst tomorrow, and laugh at Geraldine. Then like two nice little society mandarins. Brother and I will be nodding at eadb other Saturday afternoon.” The evening wore on, and the stillness deepened. Camilla rose and looked out the window; here and there, a twinkling light Blione through the darkness. While she watched, some of the lights disappeared. She looked at the clock and saw that It waa near midnight When the hour struck, Camilla went softly into the hall and peered over the railing. She had a strong feeling that something was about to happen. An instant later, with the usual preliminary sounds, the lower door swung slowly open. Camilla switched on 'he hall lights, and dashed down the stairs. "Stand where you are!” she commanded, loudly. "One step further, and I will call the police—or shoot!” The tall figure before her retreated at sight of the threatening weapon, and reached fumblingly backward for the door knob. Even In that moment of Intense excitement, Camilla was conscious of a shock of disappoint ment as her eyes fell on the man's face, clearly visible in the bright light It was not a noble sac some enough, perhaps, but dissipated and craven. The whole figure was unprepossessing. Why did the man not speak? She wanted to bear his voice. “What are you doing here?” she asked, curiously at ease and controlled. Of course he would declare himself In another moment, and the farce would be over. As for meeting Gilbert Merrill, the event was not worth the trip to town. Then, to Camilla's astonishment, as she stood there, straight and challenging in her oriental draperies, the figure of the intruder backed silently over the sill, out Into the shadows of the night, and the door swung to b» tween them. “The coward!" murmured Camilla. Then, in a state of nervous reaction, she sank into the hall chair and rested her bead weakly against the carved back. “And I drove Gilbert Merrill out of his own house! Ob. what a joke—but—why, I shall hate to tell Geraldine. It’s shaken me up awfully Well, I guess I can gq to sleep now —unless he should recover and come back.” Click! Click! The front door latch again. Camilla, leaning forward in a fascinated way, wjth the revolver lying idly in her lap, saw the heavy door swing slowly Inward, and a man enter. The new comer stood In dumb amazement, prepossessing, erect, keen-eyed. He locked at the flaring lights and at the huddled figure in the chair.

Camilla could not utter a word. She knew that this was Gilbert Merrill—but who was the other? A fit of violent trembling came over her. and her cheeks paled. Her eyes were like those of a frightened child. “Why—l believe I’ve scared you terribly," said a hearty, pinging voice, with such a comforting sound in it "I am Gilbert Merrill —and you must be one of ‘Geraldine’s friends. Is she here? Why, what’s this?” For, as Camilla drew herself feebly to her feet, the little revolver rattled to the floor. “There burglar—a real burglar here." she said, brokenly. ”I—l ordered him away—and then —you came— ’’

"Oh, don’t faint—yon poor child! You’re safe now.” Gilbert’s supporting arm wait around her, and the heavy auburn braids lay against his shoulder. As the girl’s eyes uplifted shyly, they met a magnetized gaze that made her lashes fall again. Faint and trembling, she was still blissfully conscious of the reassuring pressure of that protective arm. It was really a pretty tableau that Aunt Lydia saw when she peered wonderlngly over the banister. Then explanations followed. j Early Saturday morning Geraldine received two letters. One. couched in terms that she alone might understand and signed “Camilla." was thrown aside after reading, with a petulant "Pshaw!" The other was from Gilbert. “1 shall not be down Saturday, with the crowd. Geraldine. Ypur friend. Miss Ogden, has had an Unpleasant shock, and I think life at Idlehurst is too stimulating for her at present, so 'l have advised her to remain here over Sunday, and I will stay io. see that she and her aunt are properly protected and made comfortable. We will Join you later, when your scatterbrained-* merry-makers have flown I shall not return to the camp next week, se yoji. will have enough of my society, after all. . Gilbert." Geraldine’s fsce was aglow as she finished her letter reading "And I thought It was all a fizzle." she re fleeted. “Oh-h. Gilbert!" Then she tossed back her head, while her curls bobbed merrily, and laughed until ;t>* tears cams.