Ellsworth American., 1909-06-02

interrupted again.
Don't be goat and butt In" he
urged. "Hit the plush"
He pointed to a chair, and timidly
Maud seated herself. As she had led
the way into tho parlor the butler had
disappeared, supposing that he would
not be required further. To ring for
him now would only make scandal
among the servants. Perhaps her fa-
ther would come down in few min
utes.
He usually spent the evening in the
library when me did not go to the club.
and in either event he must pass the
open door. il the worst came she
could call for the butler, but mean
while perhaps she could induce Cor
don to leave quietly. She took the
chair indicated. sitting nervously on
the edge, ready to spring up and run
should occasion demand
1T doesn't cost any more to have
whole chair" reminded Gordon as he
sank into seat between her and the
door Il want you to put me wise to
against me?''
II have no Crouch" protested Maud
eagerly. Indeed. like you very
much"
II never saw you on the front steps
waiting for me- said Gordon grimly.
LET it come out with a rush. I'm in
wrong. How can square myself?"
''There is nothing to be squared" In
sisted Maud. II don't see how you can
imagine such thing"
. Naughty, naughty reproved Cor
don. shaking his forefnger at her ad-
monishingly. Look here. kiddo. put
me next! You don't like me. and l
like you. can't help It II I've got a
frozen face. 1t 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 yinw 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
30 can come into the big tent and
be a part of the program. I'm the
what IL 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 III always be at the head
Of the class II you'll be the teacher.
| love to love my teacher"
Maud sprang to her feet, her eyes
blazing.
"Mr. Gordon" she said coldly. 81 will
not prolong this interview. do not
know what is the matter. do not
want to know. but you must 60. please.
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.
st seems" he said a little sadly,
"that my latest effort is no more sue
cessful than the earlier attempts. They
say that imitation Is the sincerest
form of fattery. and yet you are not
pleased"
what do you meant" 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
l 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. am using 1t to disgust
you-with slang"
"And you knoww gasped Maud.
Jimmie has told?"
BE 1t 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 l
could excel you In the use of slang l
might startle you into an interest that
I see now you never can feel. 1t was
a foolish experiment. Miss Tolliver.
and l ask your pardon for having
bored and then frightened you. 1t was
my last chance. and l hoped that It
might succeed.
II gather from Jimmie's remarks
that you fear paternal pressure will be
brought to bear on you. / beg to as
sure you that l will so contrive the
situation as not to involve you. 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 1t touched Maud with a sudden
emotion,
Don't GO" she said softly, laying
OBTAINING hand upon his arm. Per
haps the last chance has not-i
mean But she could say no more.
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