Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1909-01-16

disappeared. Su, .iI3ln. thul w Woulu
not br required further To ring for
him now would cnly make scandal
among he servants. Perhaps her ia
tier would come down In II few mln-
utes.
lie usually spent the evening In the
library when he did not 20 to the club.
and In either event he must pass the
open door. II the worst came she
coul call for the butler. but mean.
while perhaps she could Induce Cor
don Ia leave quietly. She took the
chair Indicated. sitting nervously on
the edge. ready to spring up and run
should occasion demand.
lit doesn't cost any more to have n
whole chair" reminded Gordon as he
sank into seat between her and the
door. II want you to put me wise to
some things. What's your crouch
against me-
II have no Crouch" protested Maud
eagerly. Indeed. l like you very
much"
II never saw you on the front steps
Let II come out with q rush. I'm In
wrong. How can square MYSELF"
''There Is nothing to be squared" In.
sisted Maud. Il don't see how you can
imagine such thin"
Naughty. naughty" reproved Cor
don. shaking his rorcfingcr ut her ad-
monishingly. Look here. kiddo. put
me next! You don't like me. and ]
like you. can't help II II I've got a
frozen face. II was wished on me. and
It's none Of my doings. Tell me how ]
can loosen up so you'll have yin for
me-"
a yin?" repeated Maud uncertainty.
This was word not In Jimmie's vo-
cabulary.
"a yin-a yearning." explained Cor
don. IL 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 can come into the big tent and
be n part Of the program. I'm the
what IL IL 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 he at the head
of the class II you'll be the teacher. ]
love 10 love my teacher"
Maud sprang to her feet her eyes
blazing.
"Mr Gordon" she said coldly. II will
not prolong this Interview. do not
know what Is the matter. do not
want to know. but you must go. 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.
at seems" he said Il little sadly,
that my latest effort Is no more sue
cessful than the earlier attempts. They
say that imitation Is the slncerest
form of fiattcry. and yet you are not
pleased"
What do you mean;" gasped Maud
In establishment.
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. Yoe use slang To disgust me
with yourself am using II 10 disgust
you-with slang"
"And you known" gasped Maud.
Jimmie has toldf'
BE II 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. foolishly imagined that II !
could excel you In the use OF slang |
might startle you into an interest that
| see now you never can feel. 1t was
foolish experiment. Miss Tolliver.
and ask your pardon for having
bored and then frightened you. II was
my last chance. and hoped that IT
might succeed.
Il gather from Jimmie's remarks
that you fear paternaI pressure will be
brought To bear on you. ] beg To as
sure you that | will so conirlve the
situation as not to involve you. am
sorry that-the last chnnce-failed."
The little pauses In his speech were
Gordon's only evidences Of emotion
They were only little halts In the
cyenness OF his soft. even voice. but
they showed the strength of feeling
and It touched Maud with sudden
emotion.
"Don't go" she said softly. laying n
OBTAINING hand upon his arm. Per
haps the last chance has mott
mean But she could say no more.
Gordons arms were outstretched. and
In his face. no longer expressionicss.
there was look Of such appeal that
she suffered herself To be drawn with
Ia their protecting circle. The last
chance had won.
Accounts For II.