The Democratic advocate., 1908-12-18
GOrdOn'S Last
Chance.
Nv TAYLOR WHITE.
Copyrighted. 1903. by Associated
Literary Press.

,or small brother came into the room.
"Do walk OH my feet?" demanded
Jimmie in surprise. 'Pipe your lay,
onoel face. I'll get you somehow,
ovpn if your speaks are all to the
mudde. Throw it off your chest"
nTts this way" explained Maud.
.you know Mr.. Gordon?"
spye seen him once or twice." ad-
mtted Jimmie, with grin. Gordon
vas a regular visitor at the Tolliver
home.
papa wants me to marry him." ex-
dsined Maud. Hes SO strict and
nroner that hate him. thought that
III were to talk slang and act up per-
hans he would leave me in peace. He
hates a slangy girl. He said so last
night
Jimmie grinned appreciatively. He
had no great liking for the eminentIy
sto,d 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 a cigarette and who talked to
him precisely as though he was
grownup.
Gordon never seemed to see him,
never laughed and joked, and Jimmie
entered into the conspiracy with his
NJ Oft hnfrn kof
Maud 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 Maud after his own fash
ion. There was no want of real affec-
He had been accepted by the family,
and in his quiet, patient fashion he
was laying siege to Mauds heart.
He had fancied he had been making
headWay until she developed trick Of
interlarding her speech with slang ex-
pressions.
At first he was shocked, but as Maud
acquired proficiency and grew moro
and more slangy Gordon withdrew
from his campaign. Though he loved
the girl as much as ever, he assured
himself that a wife who used slang
was utterly impossible.
In secret Maud 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 excuse, Mr.. Tolliver had an idea
that there was something else that
might explain the lovers sudden lack
Of interest.
Then fate took hand, and so 1t hap
peDed that Jimmie Tolliver, crossing
the avenue, slipped on the muddy paw
ing and fell directly in front Of a rap
idly 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 moment Jimmie was too dazed
to comprehend; then he slowly came
to realize that Gordon, unmoved as
ever, stood beside him, answering the
questions of the crowd, but refusing to
give his name.
"All right, old manY' he asked as he
saw that Jimmie was pulling himself
together. Suppose we move ON. This
crowd Is little too eager"
He signaled a passing taxicab and
directed the driver to go to a tailor's
where Hmmie's muddied garments
might be made presentable. The rush
of cold air drove the last Of the cob
webs from Jimmie's brain, and, gazing
admiringly at Gordon, he decided that
Maud was wrong in her estimate of
the man. There was fire under the
ice, red blood beneath the waxenly,
immobile expression, and Jimmie's
heart warmed to his rescuer.
Say, 3d." he demanded suddenly,
are you still dead nuts on Maud"
i esteem your sister very highly"
admitted Gordon.
You're all right" declared Jimmie
admiringly. ''If you want to win cast
a noise like listen"
The noise Of q listener was contin-
ued long after the visit to the tailor's
was concluded. Gordon's face was as
e2pressionless as ever, but there was
twinkle in his eye.
Some evenings later Maud, coming
DOWNSTAIRS, reached the lower hall just
US Gordon was admitted by the butler
'uhmle had been cautioned under pain
VI losing his promised reward to say
nothing of his rescue, so it was merely
.nat tlfesome Kenneth Gordon" whom
maud greeted with perfunctory cor
dality.
butted in to tear off a piece of
laik with the boss bloomer wearer. Is
ne In? asked Gordon.
II you mean my father began
Maud icily
mats the guy" interrupted Cor
aoh VIII you tell the delegate from
Tue wax works to ask him to grease
us heels and slide down hereY
i will 60 myself" offered Maud
AerVously. Gordon was as coldly cor
rect IN appearance as ever. but per-
maps he was drunk.
NIX on the scamper," declared Cor
uoh' raising OBTAINING hand. "Use
'ne Dutler for the wireless, and We'll
call out some conversation while he
makes home run"
must CO." explained Maud. II