Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1908-12-24
GOrdOn'S Last
Chance.
BY TAYLOR WHITE.

DO Il VAIN va Wy AcNbs
Jimmie in surprise. pipe your lay
angel face. III get you somehow,
even II your speaks are all to the
middle. Throw it off your chest
tits this way" explained Maud
''You know Mr.. Gordon?"
"Ive seen him once or twice. ad-
mitted Jimmie, with grin. Gordon
was regular visitor at the Tolliver
home
papa wants me to marry him." ex-
planned Maud. Hes so strict and
proper that hate him. thought that
II 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"
Jimmie grinned appreciatively. He
had no great liking for the eminently
staid and correct Gordon. He hated
men whose suits always looked as
though it was the first time they had
been worn.
Ills 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
whole heart after being assured that
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-
ton, but Gordon was no gallant wooer.
He had been accepted by the family.
and In his quiet, patient fashion he
was laying siege TO Maud's heart.
He had fancied he had been making
Roadway until she developed trick OF
interlarding her speech with slang ex
pressions.
At first he was shocked, but as Maud
acquired proficiency and grew more
and more slangy Gordon withdrew
from his campaign. Though he lovet
the girl as much as ever, he assured
himself that wife who used slani
was utterly impossible.
In secret Maud gloated over the fact
but bore herself demurely when he
father sharply questioned her concern
ing her treatment Of Gordon, for tn
, Iatter's visits had fallen of, and
though Gordon had pleaded bushes
as an excuse, Mr.. Tolliver had an ide
that there was something else tina
might explain the lovers sudden lac
y Of interest
!. Then fate took a hand, and 80 It hal
peped that Jimmie Tolliver, crossin
the avenue, ipped on the muddy pa
- ing and fell directly In front Of a RAJ
} idly advancing automobile.
There was a cry OF horror from II
spectators, but one man sprang 70
ward and with an easy movemeI
grasped the boys arm and carried hi
n to safety.
For a moment Jimmie was too dazs
to comprehend; then he slowly can
- TO realize that Gordon, unmoved |
~ ever, stood beside him, answering Il
questions OF the crowd. but refusing
give his name.
"All right, old manT' he asked as
ss saw that Jimmie was pulling hims<
together. Suppose we move on. TT
crowd Is a little too eager"
He signaled a passing taxicab al
!, directed the driver to 60 to a tailol
where Jimmie's muddied carmen
might be made presentable. The IN
= of cold air drove the last of the &C
y. webs from Jimmie's brain, and, gazi
admiringly at Gordon, he decided tt
: Maud was wrong in her estimate
- the man. There was fire under
lar Ice, red blood beneath the waxen
~ immobile expression, and Jimmi
. heart warmed TO his rescuer.
: Say, b." he demanded sudden
are you still dead nuts on MaudY'
81 esteem your sister very hight
admitted Gordon.
You're all right" declared Jimx
sdmiringly. III you want to win G.
your port ear over this way and ms
- q noise like n listen"
The noise Of listener IVES conf
ued long after the visit to the taflt
- was concluded. 0ordon's face was
- sxpressiouless as ever. bat there '
twinkle In his eye.
Some evenings later Maud, con
Gownstairs, reached the lower hall
a Gordon was admitted By the but
Jamie had been cautioned under ,
q losAng his promised reward to
nothing Of his rescue, 20 II wss ne
that tirsson,s Kenneth Gordon" vi
Maud greeted WIKI psrfunctesyi
. liality.
81 butted In to tear on a piece
n ] talk with the boss bloomer weoror
hs inr' asked Gordon.
n "If you mesn my father'- b
!. Maud iciiy.
~ that's the guy" interrupted
- don. "wfll you tell the delegate I
&c the wax works TO ask him TO gr
his heels and slide down herer
81 will go myself" offered N
nervously. Gordon was as coldly
rect In appearance as ever, but
haps he was drunk.
mix on the scamper," declared
don, raising a OBTAINING hand.
the butler for the wireless. and
call out some conversation Will
makes home run"
81 must 60" explained Maud
forgot something upstairs, and
see about n at once" ~, Ri
Tel II wait" commanded
. Con. I'm the head Of the proce