The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1913-05-22
Of the
Strategist

Miss Turner, the dancing teacher
stopped in front of Mrs, Boyd, who
had come to enjoy the vision of he1
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.
"Kendal'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 into the chair beside his
mother.
"Guff!" he growled.
Mrs. Boyd tactfully ignored this re-
mark. They're going to begin dane
ing again." she said, after moments
pause. Don't you think you'd better
run and get partner?"
Sure" said Kendall. He stood up
and looked about the room with an
cyC IL ooh N1oNSAAAS'
he announced after a careful inspec-
ton. He darted across the hail. 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 creature!" but she said
nothing.
"Why aren't you dancing, Kendall?"
Miss Turner ceased her airy gyrations
q few minutes later to ask.
Madeline wouldn't" said Kendall.
Miss Turner looked across the room
at Madeline. II don't understand
that" she said in puzzled, disap-
proving tone Madeline loves to
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.
'Now, that's strange" murmured
Miss Turner. 81 think it's about time
for me to interfere. I know it isn't
because the girls don't like to dance
with Kendall" she explained apollo
getically as she started away, "be-
cause he's really awfully popular"
Mrs. Boyd was not at all pleased
when a few minutes after her son
returned and resumed his seat beside
her.
wouldn't Polly dance with you?"
she asked in a restrained tone.
Nope" replied Kendall.
'1'll speak to Miss Turner about II"
said Mrs. Boyd firmly. II don't like
to make a fuss. but the girls oughtn't
to be allowed to behave that way. It's
rude"
miss Turner knows" said Kendall.
"She asked 'em, too"
did they say they wouldn't" per
sisted Mrs Boyd. She was becoming
more than annoyed; she was undoubt-
eddy angry. Little Hottentots!" she
murmured to herself
"Yes'm," said Kendall, dutifully.
did they say why?"
Nom" said Kendall.
Mrs. Boyd eyed the entire feminine
contingent with stern disapproval.
"Rude little creatures" she said aloud
this time.
"Come with me. Kendall" Miss
Turner said after short colloquy
with Mrs. Boyd. "Ill find you part
ner."
With Kendall tagging few feet be-
hind her she stopped in front Of Polly.
81 want you to dance with Kendall.
Polly DEAR" she said. Come, please"
Polly let one tiny foot slip to the
ground Then she drew it back with
q look of terror.
;5 ooh. please don't make me-" she
said, the tears starting to her eyes.
Miss Turner held out compelling
hand. "Come!" she said. decidedly.
Il can't" walled Polly. rising and
ldinging herself into Miss Turner'S
arms. "Oh, please don't make me-"
Il 5. "Why can't you, dear?" asked Miss
Turner.
Il mustn't TELL" sobbed Polly.
Utterly at loss, Miss Turner tried
to stop the sobs.
"Yeth, I will tell. too" It was
Dorothy's shrill little voice that sud-
denly drowned both Pollys sobs and
Miss Turner's murmurings. "'Cause
you didn't make me promise before I