Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1909-01-16
annie, do you speak slangy" de-

her small brother came Into I'll sSOOm.
DO walk oil my feet?" demanded
Jimmie In surprise. Pipe your lay.
angel face. Ill get you somehow,
even II your speaks are all to the
middle Throw II on your chest"
ats this way" explained Maud.
"You know Mr. GordonT
I've seen him once or twice" ad-
mitted Jimmie. with grin. Gordon
was regular visitor at the Tollivcr
home.
Pap. wants me To marry him." ex-
piaired Maud. He's so strict and
Pr n that hate him. thought that
We're to talk slang and act up per
haps he would leave me In peace. He
hates a slangy girl. He said so last
night"
Jimmie grinncd approximately. He
had no great liking for the emincntly
staid and correct Gordon. He hated
men whose suits always looked as
though it was the first time they had
been worn.
His own preference was for Barry
Spauldlng. who occasionally offered
him cigarette and who talked Ia
him precisely as though he was n
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
Df her education In slang.
Before the week was out Gordon
looked troubled. He was very much
In love with Maud after his own fash.
lon. There was no want OF real affec-
ton, but Gordon was no gallant wooer.
lie had been accepted by the family.
and III n.ss>-4 nie' patient fashion he
was laying siege to Maids heart.
He had fancied he had been making
Roadway until she developed q trick OF
intcrardlng 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 ms ever. lie assured
himself that n wife who used slang
was utterly impossible.
In secret Maud gtoated over the fact.
but bore herself demurely when her
father sharply questioned her concern
Ing her treatment ~ Gordon. for the
latter's visits had fallen OF. 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 a hand. and so Il hap.
pened that Jimmie Tolliver, crossing
the avenue. slipped on the muddy paw
ing and fell directly In front OF rap.
Idly advancing automobile.
There was 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
70 comprehend; then he slowly came
10 realize that Gordon, unmoved as
ever. stood beside him, answering the
questions of the crowd, but refusing 10
give his name.
"All right. old MANI" he asked us he
saw that Jimmie was pulling himself
together. Suppose we move on. Thu,
crowd is little too eager"
He signaled a passing taxicab and
directed the driver TO 20 TO tallor's
where Jimmie's muddicd garments
might be made presentable. The rush
or cold air drove the last of the cob.
webs from Jimmle'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 waxcnly.
immcbile expression. and Jimmie's
heart warmed to his rescuer.
Say, b." 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 10 win east
= N-%A tfSAt <stA oftA tAto way anu Ulslkt
a noise like listen"
The noise Of listener was contln.
ued long after the visit TO the tailor's
was concluded. Gordon's face was NJ
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 say
nothing Of his rescue. No II was merely
that tlresome Kenneth Gordon" whoa
Maud greeted with perfun tory cor
diality.
Il buttcd In TO tear on u piece of
talk with the boss bloomcr wearer. Is
he Int" asked Gordon.
IF you mean my father beg ~
Maud icily.
THAT'S the guy" intercepted Cor
don. will you tell the delegate from
the wax works to ask him 10 grease