The Democratic advocate., 1908-12-18


don to leave quietly. She took th,
chair indicated, sitting nervously OF
the edge, ready to spring up and rur
should occasion demand.
ut doesn't cost any more to have 6
whole chair" reminded Gordon as HI
sank into seat between her and the
door. "I want you to put me wise tt
some things. What's your groucf
against me?''
Il have no Crouch" protested Maud
eagerly. Indeed, like you very
much
Il never saw you on the front steps
waiting for me-" said Gordon grimly
"Let it come out with a rush. Pm In
wrong. How can 1 square myself?"
'There is nothing to be squared" In
sisted Maud. 81 don't see how you car
imagine such a thing"
Naughty, naughtyw reproved Cor
don. shaking his forednger at her ad.
monishingly. "Look here, kiddo, put
me next! You don't like me, and ]
like you. I can't help It If I've got q
frozen face. It was wished on me, and
it's none Of my doings. Tell me how ]
can loosen up SO you'll have a yin for
me-"
"a yin2" repeated Maud uncertainty
This was a word not In Jimmie's vo-
cabulary.
"a yin-a yearning," explained Cor
don. II want you to think that I'm
the whole works, and you won't even
let me be the second hand. Fix me up
so I can come into the big tent and
be a part Of the program. I'm the
what is it. out in the freak tent, and
I don't like the job. may not be
quite your style, but can learn I'm
the star pupil in the little red school
house, and I'll always be at the head
Of the class If you'll be the teacher.
love to love my teacher"
Maud sprang to her feet, her eyes
blazing.
''Mr. Gordon" she said coldly, "T will
not prolong this interview. do not
know what Is the matter. do not
want to know, but you must 60, please.
I cannot listen to you when you talk
this way"
Gordon had sprung to his feet when
Maud rose, and now he smiled down
into the flushed, angry face.
"It seems" he said little sadly,
'that my latest effort Is no more sue
cessful than the earlier attempts. They
say that imitation is the sincerest
form Of fiattery, and yet you are not
pleased"
'sWhat do you mean?' gasped Maud
in astonishment.
"You learned slang for my benefit" !"
he reminded. "When I do the same
thing you object. Of course my slang
is more pronounced than your own,
but then you have only Jimmie, while
I have the valuable assistance Of sew
eral elevator boys, my Office boy and
the janitor's son, who qualities as an
expert You use slang to disgust me
with yourself I am using 1t to disgust
you-with slang"
"And you know9" gasped Maud.
Jimmie has told9"
"Be it said to his credit that the
temptation was great" said Gordon
gently. "Do not blame the lad He
meant well in giving me my last
chance to win you. He saw beneath
the surface and was sorry for his
part. I foolishly imagined that If 1
could excel you in the use Of slang I
might startle you into an interest that
see now you never can feel. It was
foolish experiment, Miss Tolliver,
and 1 ask your pardon for having
bored and then frightened you. It was
my last chance, and I hoped that it
might succeed.
81 gather from Jimmie's remarks
that you fear paternal pressure will be
brought to bear on you. beg to as
sure you that I will so contrive the
situation as not to involve you. I am
sorry that-the last chance-failed."
The little pauses In his speech were
Gordon's only evidences Of emotion.
They were only little halts in the
evenness Of his soft, even voice. but
they showed the strength Of feeling.
and it touched Maud with q sudden
emotion.
"Don't GO" she said softly, laying a
OBTAINING hand upon his arm. "Per-
haps the last chance has not-1
mean''- But she could say no more.
Gordon's arms were outstretched, and
in his face, no longer expressionless,
there was a look Of such appeal that
she suffered herself to be drawn with
in their protecting circle. The last
chapcn had won