Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1912-07-17
Downfall of the
Strateglst

Miss Turner, the dancing teacher,
stopped in front of Mrs. Boyd, who
had come to enjoy the vision Of her
son gliding gracefully over the floor,
and beamed upon her. Miss Turner
laid her hand affectionately upon the
shoulder of the unregenerate Kendall,
who stalked beside her.
"Kendall's doing beautifully, Mrs.
Boyd" she said, enthusiastically. "He
danced with every girl in the class
last week. He's really getting to like
dancing, and he wants to-"
She swept away and Kendall
pumped intos the chair beside his
mother.
Cuff" he growled.
Mrs. Boyd tactfully ignored this re-
mark. They're going to begin dane
| ing again" she said, after moments
pause. Don't sou think you'd better
run and get a partner?"
Sure" said Kendall He stood up
and looked about the room with an
appraising eye. 'I'll ask Madeline"
he announced after a careful inspec-
ton. He darted across the hall, but
returned after a short absence and
dropped into the chair with a sigh.
aren't you going to dancer" asked
his mother in surprise.
Madeline wouldn't do it," Kendall
explained, briefly.
"Why not?" Mrs. Boyd demanded,
bristling materially
Didn't say replied Kendall, gruff-
ly.
Mrs. Boyd glared across at Made
line with a glare which said plainly,
Rude little creaturei" but she said
nothing.
"Why aren't you dancing, Kendall?"
Miss Turner ceased her airy gyrations
few minutes later to ask.
Madeline wouldn't" said Kendall.
Miss Turner looked across the room
at Madeline. 81 don't understand
that" she said in a puzzled, disap
proving tone Madeline loves tc
dance and she has no partner. Per
haps she's tired. Kendall, run and
ask Polly. She's not dancing"
Kendall obediently jumped to his
feet and presently was making the
prescribed bow to Polly. Mrs. Boyd
and Miss Turner, watching them from
afar, saw Polly shake her head.
Nov, that's strange" murmured
Miss Turner. 81 think it's about time
for me to interfere. 1 know 1t isn't
9 because the girls don't like to dance
e with Kendall" she explained apollo
getically as she started away, "be
cause he's really awfully popular"
0 Mrs. Boyd was not at all pleased
when a few minutes after her son
{ returned and resumed his seat beside
her.
e wouldn't Polly dance with your
l, she asked in a restrained tone.
Nope" replied Kendall.
l. ''I1l speak to Miss Turner about it, y
said Mrs. Boyd firmly. 81 don't like
II to make a fuss, but the girls oughtn't
l. to be allowed to behave that way. It's
q rude"
Miss Turner knows" said Kendall
e "She asked 'em, too"
le did they say they Wouldn't" per
1t sisted Mrs. Boyd. She was becoming
'e more than annoyed; she was undoubt
lie eddy angry Little Hottentots!" she
u murmured to herself
% "Yes'm," said Kendall, dutifully.
did they say why?"
OF NOM" said Kendall.
re Mrs. Boyd eyed the entire feminine
Of contingent with stern disapproval
o, Rude little creatures!" she said alout
K this time.
lie Come with me, Kendall" Mis-
b. Turner said after a short colloqu.
with Mrs. Boyd. 'TIl find you a part
re ner."
lie With Kendall tagging few feet be
lie hind her she stopped in front of Polly
lie 81 want you to dance with Kendall
lie Polly DEAR" she said. Come, please.
lie Polly let one tiny foot slip to thu
i. ground Then she drew it back witt
8 look of terror.
"Oh, please don't make me-" sh'
said, the tears starting to her eyes.
Miss Turner held out compelling
, hand. "Come!" she said, decidedly.
= "I can't" walled Polly, rising and
= finging herself into Miss Turner,
arms. "Oh, please don't make me-"
"Why can't you, dear?" asked Miss
Turner.
s ST mustn't TELL" sobbed Polly.
y Utterly at loss, Miss Turner tried
to stop the sCbs.
"Yeth, 1 will tell, too" It was
It Dorothy's shrill little voice that sud
# denly drowned both Polly's sobs and
|. Miss Turner's murmurings. "'Cause
you didn't make me promise before
got the annie and then I Wouldn'i