Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1920-11-06
THE LEADER
BY MYRTA ALICE LITTLE.



corners, m dear aren't you?' drawled
the great Duncan Pierce, lettering
near the miSchicvous creature whom,
half hour before he had nonchalant-
ly deserted for more thrilling femi.
mines at the house party dance.
Sidney Norcott giggled. I'm not
writing assignments for the News
now she said. and claSpPd her note
book against the mauve tulls Of her
gown. I'm writing things in this book
that will make someone sit up and
take notice, Duncan Pierce" she Chal-
lenged. when have a minute with
in ear-shot OF folks who are talking
on this pet subject OF mine listen in,
you know, and take down what hear.
The end justifes the means. high POI
teHtate"
Thanks for the epithet," beamed
Duncan. Il am sort of the go here,
ehf Everybody falls for ne, and no
mistake, Even Glen Lawrence and
her set"
And Duncan Pierce strobe graudly
Here gu are, Sidney. This dance1"
you always do the rescue act when
We little wallhowers get TOO witty,
don't you, Rob Long7" she smiled.
It's a pleasure to rescue you.
You're so cOmfOr able to have round.
I've known you all my life And you're
never in the way, aud always sweet"
He wanted to SIT OUT this dance. He
wanted to ask the girl something,
Sidney's blue eyes we're thoughtful
now. Those are the incest things
anyone ever told me, Rob" she said.
Comfortable to have round? wish
everyone thought that way about me-"
The man looked at her keenly. They
must dance then. He swung her onto
the floor.
so that's the way the land lies"
he whispered under cover of the VIC
lihs ia the drenm girl waltz. And IL
was not what he had hoped to say.
Sidney stared. "Why-l haven't
id-anything, she stammer,d.
Rob and Sidney didsn speak dur
Ing that dance and encore. When the
number was half through Duncan
Pierce came Oh the floor with Glen
Lawrence, with his air OF possession
and the smile, well trained, ever-prac-
ticed. Sidney overheard a comment
on the couple, looked up to see II Rob
had heard, too. He had, and he vas
gazing into her eyes. with revelation
IN his own. lie led her back to the
corner by the palms. and spoke quietly.
$50 It's Duncan Pierce who is the
everyone, Sidney girl. He's all right
Plenty Of money, and a good mixer. I
hope-he appreciates your-caring the
way your eyes told me when you look
ed AT him"
Sidney NorcOtt was trembling. You
are uncanny, Rob. the way you UNDER
stHnd-and you're a real man."
Thanks" said Rob Long. II must
be off. I'm taking the l a. IA. back "a
town."
IL thought you were staying ths
"''h'" Oul' see me DeIOre you go,
said Sidney. How did Rob Long know
what Duncan Pierce did not suspect
II was uncanny, Sidney reached be-
hind the palm In the japanese bowl
for the red leather notebook. She
must add that criticism she had over
heard. IF Pierce would do something.
HDt Keep incoming around house par
ties" She must tell him that. Sid
ney gasped. The notebook was not
there. SOMEONE had taken It. What
If 1t should lie Duncan? After three
awful minutes there was no mlstaking
the fact. 1t was Duncan Pierce who
had appropriated the fatal book. He
suddenly swoOped down upon the girl.
holding the red monster triumphantly
before her eyes.
WHO'S all this about3 Sounds like
maniac you're describing in your
book, Sid. Tell fellow. Got two
minutes before ! go back TO Glen"
so you've read II without IesveT'
said Sidney with alarming GOODNESS.
"Surew Duncan told her. Who's
the victim? Say, but let me tell YOU
how I've sized up the hit I'm making
round"
Give me that book, II you have only
two minutes, Duncan Pierce. I'll sizs
II up" cried Sidney NOfcOtt. She read
swiftly at random, FROM her JOttlngs
Watch his right eyel crinkIe Ike
squirrels wher, he talks. It's the dis.
appointment Of bis young life NOT 10
be able to watch himself 60 by. Hls
posing sticks out ike burrs. He's got
the most simpery cut.and dried expres-
sions. II he'd DO something, like Rob
Long" Sidney stopped SECOND.
They're all about you, Duncan Pierce.
things that folks have said about YOU
every one, and put them dOwn-be-
cause" she said
We've both been mistaken, Duncan.
A girl can think she cares lots abou,
a man II she's doing things for him for
his own good. But when she finds our
he's hopeless and likes himself as he
Is better than be can ever like anyone
else. Of course her eyes are opened
and she's unhypnotized. She just seez
his colossal conceit."
Sounds like another Joke to me-
laugl. ed Duncan easily. Must go back