The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1909-03-26

COulu call IOT Tue DuleT, DuL medu-
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.
at doesn't cost any more to have a
whole chair" reminded Gordon as he
sank into a seat between her and the
door. II want you to put me wise to
some things. What's your crouch
against me?"
81 have no Crouch" protested Maud
eagerly. Indeed, / like you very
much"
81 never saw you on the front steps
"Let it come out with a rush. Pm in
wrong. How can l square myself"
There is nothing to be squared" in
sisted Maud. 81 don't see how you can
imagine such a thing"
Naughty, naughtyp reproved Cor
don, shaking his rorefnger at her ad-
monishingly. Look here, kiddo, put
me next! You don't like me, and l
like you. 1 can't help 1t If I've got
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 yinT repeated Maud uncertainty.
This was a word not In Jimmie's vo-
cabulary.
"a yin-a yearning," explained Cor
don. 81 want you to think that Pm
the whole works, and you won't even
let me be the second hand. Fix me up
so 1 can come into the big tent and
be a part of the program. I'm the
what is it. out In the freak tent and
1 don't like the job. I may not be
quite your style. but l can learn. I'm
the star pupil in the little red school
house, and IN always be at the head
of the class II you'll be the teacher. l
love to love my teacher"
Maud sprang to her feet, her eyes
blazing.
'Mr. Gordon" she said coldly, 81 win
not prolong this interview. l do not
know what is the matter. l do not
want to know, but you must 60, please.
l 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 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 fiattery, and yet you are not
pleased"
What do you mean" gasped Maud
In establishment.
"You learned slang for my benefit"
he reminded. when l 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 it to disgust
you-with slang"
"And you known gasped Maud.
Jimmie has toldY
"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. l foolishly imagined that if |
could excel you in the use of slang |
might stattle you into an interest that
| see now you never can feel. 1t was
a foolish experiment, Miss Tolliver,
and | ask your pardon for having.
bored and then frightened you. 1t was
my last chance, and l hoped that II
might succeed.
81 gather from Jimmie's remarks
that you fear paternal pressure will be
brought to bear on you. beg to as
sure you that l viii so contrive the
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
svenness of his soft, even voice, but
they showed the strength of feeling,
md It touched Maud with a sudden
emotion
Don't GO" she said softly, laying a
hand upon his arm. 'Per-
laps the last chance has not-I
mean But she could say no more.
5ordon's arms were outstretched, and
n his face, no longer expressionless,
here was a look Of such appeal that
he suffered herself to be drawn with
n their protecting circle. The last
nance had wen.