The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1909-02-09
Gordon's Last.
Chance.
BY TAYLOR WHITE.
copyFighted. ipoa. BY Assoolstsa
Literary Press.

Literary Press.
w%~H-NSssa~a~4-~s4~S~A-1-44.@%-..,
Jimmie do zen speak slOngr a,
manded Maud TollIver suddenly 4
her small brother came into the room
DO walk on my foetr domande,
Jimmie Ia surprise aPipe your lay
angel face. III set you somehow
even u your speaks arc all % n,
muddle. Throw Il on your chest"
"Irs this way,a explained Maud
"You know Mr ClordonY'
I've seen him once or twice. id
misted Jimmie, with grin. Gordor
yas q regular visitor at the Tolliyel
home,
.'rpapa wants Ine 10 marry hlma ex
plAiAed Maud. Hes 20 strict ana
proper that l bate him. I thought thnl
II we're to talk dang and 'aeti 10, Dor,
hhpn 10 would leave me In peace. Ia
hates q alangy giri, He said so last
night
Jimmie grinned appreciatiyely. Ho
had no great liking for the eminentIy
stale and correct Gordon. He hated
men whose suits always looked an
thcughRit was the npt tine they had
been worn.
y His own preference was for Barry
spaulding who occasionally offered
him cigarette and who talked 10
mm precisely ~ though be- was q
6sownuti q Rl4t f}'stf
Gordon never seemed 10 see him,
never laughed and ioked, and Jimmie
entered into the conspiracy with his
whole heart after being assured that
Maud would never disclose the source
of her education n slang.
Before the week was out Gordon
looked troubled. Tfe was very much
N lcve with Maud after his own fash.
Ion There was no want Of real affec.
ruh, but Gordon was no gallant woOar.
he had been accepted By the family,
and IN hia quiet, patient fashion he
was laying siege 70 Maud's heart.
Hc had fancled he had been making
heNdway untii she developed trick of
hteriardins her speech with slang ex.
pTeanions.
AZ nFst be was shocked, but ss Maud
acquired proficiency and grew moro
end more slangy Gordon Withdrew
fsom hla campaign. Though he loved
the giFl a. much ~ ever. be assured
himSelf that wife who used slang
was utterly impossible.
In secret Maud Rloated over the fact
bat bore herself demurely when her
father sharply questioned her concern.
ing her treatment Of Gordon, for tho
latteF'e visits had fallen on, and,
though Gordon bad pleaded business
a. 40 excuse, Mr., Tolliver had an idea
that there was something elso that
might explain the lovers sudden lack
OF interest.
ThOn fate took hand. and 80 II hap.
pencd that Jimmie Tolliver, crossing
tho avenue, slipped on the muddy paw.
ing and fell directly IN front OF rap.
Idly advancing automobile.
There was a cry Of horror from the
spectators. but one man epFang for.
ward and with an easy movement
Graaped tho boys arm aud 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 tho
questions Of the crowd, but refusing to
give his name.
IAN right old mani" be asked a. be
saw that Jimmie was pulling himself
togetber, "RNppose We move on, This
crowd isa lIttie too eagaE.e
!. 10 sigualed q passing taxicab and |
erected the driver to 90 10 a taiIors
where Iimmle's muddled garments |
night be made presentable. The rush |
ef cold afr drove tho last Of tho 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 fre under the |
ice, rod blood beneath tho waxenly,
immoblle expression, and Jimmis's
heart warmed TO hiB rescuar,
Say, Bo," he demanded suddenly,
"are you still dead nuts on MaudT
u esteem your sister very hlshlyfn
admitted Cordon t'tf 9A
You're ali right" declared Jimmie
adniringly "If you want 10 win east
your port ear over this way ana make
noise like listen"
The noise Of q listener was contin.
ued long after the visit to the tailorss
was concluded, uordon'a face was as
expressionlesa As ever. but there was
atwihkle Ii hls eye. tf3gs gn'a
Come evenings later Maud, conilng
downstairs, reached tho lower han iuaet
as Gordon was admitted By. the butleS.
Jimmie had been cautioned under pain
Of losing hls promised reward % say
nothing ,of, his rescue, 20 II wac merely
shat tiFesone Kenneth Gordon" :" whom
Maud greeted with pcrfunctoFy cor
diality.. nl LA ,A., ~. W..
y butted in to tear Oh q piece Of
talk with the boss blComer wearOr. 10
he inr' asked Gordon, l,s
III iyop mean nv EEly, father began
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