Ellsworth American., 1909-06-02
Gordon's Last
Chance.
Nv TAYLOR WHITE.
Copyrighted. 1908. by Associated
Literary Press.

aJimmie. do you speak slangY' de-
nanded Maud Tolliver suddenly as
ber small brother came into the room
aDo / walk OH my feet?" demanded
Jimmie in surprise Pipe your lay.
angel face I'll get you somehow,
eyen II your speaks are all to the
middle. Throw it OF your chest"
ats this way" explained Maud
1You know Mr. Gordon?'
"rve seen him once or twice." ad.
mitted Jimmie. with u grin. Gordon
was regular visitor at the Tolliver
home.
"Papa wants me to marry him." ex-
nIained Maud. Hes SO strict and
proper that hate him. ] bought that
III were to talk slang and act up per-
hans he would leave me In peace He
hates sIangy girl. He said so last
night"
Jimmie grinned appreciatively. He
had no great liking for the eminently
stajd 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
Spaulding. 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
headway until she developed q trick Of
tnterlarding 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 bis campaign. Though he loved
the girl as much as ever, be 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
iatter'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 hand, and so 1t 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 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, unmoved as
ever stood beside him. answering the
questions Of the crowd, but refusing to
gire his name,
"All right old MANI" he asked as he
saw that Jimmie was pulling himself
together. Suppose We move on. This
crowd is little too eager"
He sigDaled 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
~eps from Jimmie's brain. and. gazing
+admirlngly 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,
1mmobile expression. and Jimmie's
heart warmed to his rescuer.
Say, b." he demanded suddenly,
are you still dead nuts ON Maud?"
esteem your sister very highly"
admitted Gordon.
You're all right" declared Jimmie
auniringiy. IF you want to win cast
your port ear over this way and make
noise like a listen"
The noise of listener was contin-
ued long after the visit to the tailor's
was concluded. Gordons face was as
eApressiohless as ever but there was
twinkle In his eye.
some esenings later Maud, coming
DOWNSTAIRS. reached the lower hall just
as 'ordon was admitted by the butler.
Jimmie had been cautioned under pain
oi losing his promised reward to say
noehlhg cs his rescue. so it was merely
that tiresome Kenneth Gordon" whom
siaud greeted with perfunctory cor
diality.
butted In to tear OF a piece of
,aik with the boss bloomer wearer. Is
Ne IN asked Gordon.
III you mean my father began
Maud icily.
InatH tho u,vV futorr,pto1 Cor