The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-03
The EVENING STORY
Gordon's Last Chance.
By TAYLOR WbiteA


Jimmie, do you speak slang?" de-
manded Maude Tolliver suddenly as her
small brother came into the room.
DO walk on my feet . demanded
Jimmie in surprise. Pipe your law
Angel Face. I'll get you somehow, even
II your speaks are all to the muddle
Throw it off your chest"
It's this way explained Maude
You know Mr.. Gordon?"
I've seen him once or twice." ad-
mitted Jimmie with grin. Gordon was
a regular visitor at the Tolliver home.
Papa wants me to marry him." ex-
planned Maude. He's so strict and
proper that 1 hate him. 1 thought that
If 1 were to talk slang and act up per
haps he would leave me in peace He
hates a slangy girl. He said so last
night"
Jimmy grinned approximately. He
had no great liking for the eminentIy
Stald and correct Gordon. He hated
men whose suits always looked as
though it was the first time they had
been worn.
His own preference was for Barry
Spaulding, who occasionally offered him
cigarette, and who talked to him
precisely as though he was a grown-up
Gordon never seemed to see him,
never laughed and joked, and Jimmie
entered into the conspiracy with his
whole heart after being assured that
Maude would never disclose the source
of her education in slang
Before the week was out Gordon
looked troubled. He was very much in
love with Maude after his own fashion.
There was no want of real affection,
but Gordon was no gallant wooer. He
had been accepted by the family and in
his quiet, patient fashion he was laying
siege to Maude's heart.
He had fancied he had been making
Roadway until she developed a trick of
interlarding her speech with slang ex-
pressions.
At first he was shocked, but as
Maude acquired proficiency and grew
more and more slangy, Gordon with
drew from his campaign. Though he
loved the girl as much as ever, he as
sured himself that a wife who used
slang was utterly impossible.
In secret Maude gloated over the fact
but bore herself demurely when her
father sharply questioned her concern
ing her treatment of Gordon, for the
latter's visits had fallen off, and though
Gordon had pleaded business as an ex-
cuse, Mr.. Tolliver had an idea that
there was something else that might
explain the lovers sudden lack of in
terest.
Then fate took a hand, and so 1t hap
pened that Jimmie Tolliver, crossing
the avenue, slipped on the muddy paw
ing and fell directly in front of a rapid
ly advancing automobile.
There was a cry of horror from the
spectators, but one man sprang for
ward, and with an easy movement
grasped the boys arm and carried him
to safety.
For a moment Jimmie was too dazed
to comprehend, then he slowly came to
realize that Gordon, unmoved as ever,
stood beside him, answering the ques-
tons of the crowd, but refusing to give
his name.
10 x-o
self together. Suppose we move on?
This crowd is a little too eager"
He signaled a passing taxicab and
directed the driver to go to tailor's
where Jimmie's muddied garments
might be made presentahle. The rush
Of cold air drove the last of the cob !
webs from Jinmie's brain, and gaz-
ing admiringly at Gordon he decided
that Maude was wrong in her estimate
Of the man. There was fire under the
ice, red blood beneath the waxenly,
mmobile expression, and Jimmte's
heart warmed to his rescuer.
Say, b." he demanded suddenly,
are you still dead nuts on Maude?"
''I esteem your sister very highly
admitted Gordon.
you're all right" declared Jimmie
eff you want to win, cast
your port ear over this way and make
L noise like a listener
The noise of listener was con-
lnued long aIter the WISH " tA0
ailor's was concluded. Gordon's face |
vas as expressionless as ever, but |
here was a twinkle in his eye.
Some evenings later Maude, coming |
downstairs, reached the lower hall
ust as Gordon was admitted by the |
outler. Jimmie had been cautioned |
lnder pain of losing his promised re-
ward to say nothing of his rescue, so |
t was merely that tiresome Kenneth |
Gordon whom Maude greeted with |
,erfunctory cordially.
81 butted in to tear off piece OF |
ak with the boss bloomer wearer. Is |
lie ?' asked Gordon.
IF you mean my father" began |
daude Jelly.
That's the guy" interrupted Cor
lon. "Will you tell the delegate from
he wax works to ask him to grease |
lis heals and slide down here?"
ct will go myself" offered Maude
lervously. Gordon was as coldly |
correct in appearance as ever, but |
perhaps he was drunk.
mix on the scraper," declared
Gordon, raising OBTAINING hand.
Use the butler for the wireless and
ve'n cut out some conversation while
lie makes a home run
ct must CO." explained Maude. "I
orgot something upstairs, and must
ee about it at once"
Tell it to wait" commanded
Iordon. I'm the head of the process
ion just now. Don't you bother about
he water carriers"
But began Maude, and Gordon
again.
Don't be a goat and butt in" he
rged. Hit the plush.''
He pointed to a chair, and tinaidly
Iaude seated herself. AS she had led !,
he way into the parlor the butler had
isappeared, supposing that he would
OF be required further. To ring for
i'm now would only make a scandal
PprhanG
ather would come down in a few
minutes.
He usually spent the evening In the
brary when he did not go to the club,
nd in either event he must pass the {
pen door. If the worst came she {
orld call for hItler- but Meanwhile