Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-13
TIL Mommow A Mystery Story
1890, by Duineld and Company.

ish. And after a while-after I've got
ten myself adjusted to everything-Il
come and visit you-and her. But not
Just now. couldn't"
Shall I see you before sail?"
"As often as you can. I need you
Dick" She ground a balled fist into
her eyes. mo, don't come with me- II
be better alone. This had to be, and
it's a good thing it happened this way
He kissed her, and at the door she
turned with a ghost of a smile
Il haven't wished that you'll be
happy I do, Dick-oh, wish 1t SO
hard! And hope she'll be happy, too
She deserves it, poor tht1g-more than
either of US, doesn't she?"
Dagger's reaction to the emotions
reused by Dicks news was a stubborn
blaze Of loyalty to Jack. Tossing through
the night. she told herself again and
again that she must not let a dead man
come between her and her husband,
and in the succeeding days the resil-
iency Of youth, coupled with her innate
honeSty-and Dicks level-headed coun-
sel-helped her to regain normal at
| titude.
Indeed, Dicks presence was helpful
! to her in more ways than one. His
companionship took her mind OF her
| problem, and the prestige of her init
macy with him definitely established her
in the Vaneering's set. And although
he was obliged to san for home fort
night later, the rush of events that Fall,
eliminating in the armistice kept her
interested and free from introspection.
Howard's memory again faded from
her consciousness for the time being.
Only on rare occasions now did his face
disturb her thoughts Would she be
able to forget him, for good? Time
alone would tell. Meanwhile, there was
the excitement of preparing for Jacks
Homecoming.
Jack wrote that his knee was steadily
improving. but that he would be con-
valescent for some time after reaching
home, as the injury was. slow in heal
ing and care must be exercised in order
that the joint might function normally
again.
She was truly happy and expectant
when her father-in-laW was able to ar
range that Jack should be returned
among the first of the two million.
Quite humanity, she felt that she had
hardly been a wife, and she hoped. with
fierce eagerness, that the physical
bond between them would bring about
a union so perfect as to obliterate How
ards image from her conscious thoughts.
She knew she wanted Jack as a man.
No woman on the pier the day Jacks
ship came in craved love more ardently
than she.
1t was a cold afternoon in December,
with fiurries of snow in the air. Mr.
Vaneering had obtained permission for
his family to pass the barriers and stand
beside the gangway, which was ready
to be run out to the steamer as soon as
the tugs had pushed her into her berth.
Looking up at the decks thronged with
officers in the uniforms Of all the allies,
Dagger's cheeks were crimson, her eyes
sparkling. Mr.. Vaneering hooked an arm
affectionately in hers.
"Our Jack will want to jump straight
down here when he sees you, AK" he
laughed
Il wish he would" exclaimed Dagger.
Mrs. Vaneering stirred petulantly on
her husbands other side.
You both forget his poor knee" she
objected.
But Dagger, all unhearing, cried out.
between tears and laughter:
"Oh, there he is! But not can't
it isl"
She ended on sob, and Mr.. Va
neering followed her glance upward,
prey to wonderment. 1t was Jacks
mother who recognized him next.
"Of course, it is" she snapped. why,
Jacky. dear. what have you been doing
to YOURSELF"
CONTINUED tomorrow