The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1909-01-12
Gordon's Last
Chance.
BY TAYLOR WHITE.


OAAAAAACg w yOu bPcdA SlduB uc-
manded Maud Tolliver suddenly as
her small brother came into the room.
do walk on my. feet?' demanded
Jimmie in surprise. "Pipe your lay,
angel face I'll get you somehow,
even If your speaks are all to the
muddle. Throw it of your chest"
Its this way" explained Maud
"You know Mr.. GordonY
1--WE seen him once or twice." ad-
mitted Jimmie, with a grin. Gordon
was a regular visitor at the Tolliver
home.
Papa wants me to marry him." ex-
planned Maud. Hes SO strict and
proper that I hate him. / thought that
If l were to talk slang and act up per
haps he would leave me in peace. He
hates slangy girl. He said SO last
night"
Jimmie grinned approximately. 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.
Els own preference was for Barry
Epaulding, who occasionally offered
him cigarette and who talked to
him precisely as though he was a
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 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 it hap
peDed that Jimmie Tolliver, crossing
the 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 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, unmoyed as
ever, stood beside him, answering the
questions of the crowd, but refusing to
give his name.
"All right, old MANI" he asked as he
saw that Jimmie was pulling himself
together. Suppose we move on. This
crowd is a little too eager"
He signaled passing taxicab and
directed the driver to go to tailor's
where Jimmie'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 Ummie's
heart warmed to bis rescuer.
Say, 3d." he demanded suddenly.
''are you still dead nuts on Maud?'
II esteem your sister very highly"
admitted Gordon.
You're all right" declared Jimmie
admiringly. IF you want to win cast
your port ear over this way and make
a noise like listen"
The noise of listener was contin-
ued long after the visit to the tailor's
was concluded. Gordon's face was as
expressionless as ever, but there was
twinkle in his eye.
Some evenings later Maud, coming
downstairs, reached the lower hall just
as Gordon was admitted by the butler
Jimmie had been cautioned under pain
Of losing his promised reward to sa.
nothing of bis rescue. SO it was merely
shat tiresome Kenneth Gordon whom
Maud greeted with perfunctory cor
diality.
81 butted in to tear of a piece of
talk with the boss bloomer wearer. Is
he inY asked Gordon.
eff you mean my father began
Maud Jelly.
'That's the guy" interrupted Cor
don. "Will you tell the delegate from
the wax works to ask him to grease
his heels and slide down here?'
II win go myself" offered Maud
nervously Gordon was as coldly cor
rect in appearance as ever, but per-
haps he was drunk.
mix on the scamper." declared Cor
don, raising OBTAINING hand. use
the butler for the wireless, and well
call out some conversation while he
makes home run
81 must GO" explained Maud. 81
forgot something upstairs. and must
see about 1t at once"
Tell 1t to wait" commanded Cor
don. "I'm the head of the procession
lust now. Don't you bother about the
water carriers"
"But''- began Maud. And Gordon
interrupted again.
Don't be a goat and butt in," he
urged. "Hit the plush"
He pointed to q chair, and timidly
Maud seated herself. AS she had led
the way into the parlor the butler had
disappeared, supposing that he would
not be required further. To ring for
him row would only make a scandal
among the servants. Perhaps her ia
Their would come down in few min
utes.
He usually spent the evening in the
library when he did not go to the club
and In either event he must pass the
open door. If 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.