The Daily Alaska empire., 1930-08-02

py. He doesn't deserve it."
 Dick nodded
 "You won't. Not your style"
 Silence fastened upon both of them again
 When are you to be married, Dick?"
 Some time durin' the winter, I expect"
 Another burst of hysterical laugh ter shook her.
 If you don't mind, I won't come I couldn't stand it"
 "No, I fancy you couldn't" he assented gravely. But you aren't going to let this come between us, are you? Emily's good sort. She and Blaine Well, y'know the truth | is she told Blaine the circumstances when they were married That's why they were apart most of the time"
 Did you know he was her hus- band-when he was at the ranch?'
 "Yes, but he didn't know me- Emily never told him who I was, and he wasn't the sort to pick up gossip"
 1 If he'd known would he have" 1 Dagged paused questioningly.
 Rather fancy he would have done something"
 And he had to die to make way for youl' Dagger stood up. I'm all in, Dick. Do you mind if I go home?"
 "No, if you must" Dicks face was troubled. But you haven't told me if this is to be a wedge between us. I'd almost-n
 "Oh, Dick, never! I'm not that selfish. And after a while-after I've gotten myself adjusted to eyergthing-I'll come and visit you and her But not just now. couldn't"
 Shall I see you before I sail?'
 "As often as you can. I need you, Dick" She ground balled fist into her eyes. No, don't come with me. I'll be better alone This had to be, and it's good thing it happened this way"
 He kissed her, and at the door she tugned with a ghost of a smile
 T haven't wished that you'll be happy. I do, Dick-oh I wish it so hardl And I hope she'll be happy, too. She deserves it, poor thing more than either of us, doesn't she, Dick?n
 Dagger's reaction to the emotions reused by Dicks news was stub born blaze of loyalty to Jack Toss ing through the night, she told herself again and again that she must not let dead man come be- tween her and her husband, and in the succeeding days the resiliency of youth coupled with her innate honesty-and Dicks level-headed counsel-helped her to regain a normal attitude.
 Indeed, Dicks presence was help l ful to her in more ways than one. His companionship took her mind off her problem, and the prestige of her intimacy with him definitely 1 established her in the Vaneering I set. And although he was obliged i to sail for home a fortnight later, I the rush of events that fall, culmi- 1 mating in the Armistice, kept her interested and free from introspec- ] tion
 Towards memory again faded 1 from her consciousness for time.s Only on rare occasions now did his face disturb her thoughts. Would she be able to forget Aim, for good? Time alone would tell Meanwhile | there was the excitement of prepar- ing for Jacks homecoming
 Jack wrote that his knee was steadily improving, but that he would be convalescent for some time | after reaching home, as the injury was slow in healing and care must be exercised in order that the joint might function normally again.
 She was truly happy and expec- tant when her father-in-la was able to arrange that Jack should | be returned. among the first two | million. Quite humanly, she felt 1 that she had hardly been wife, ! and she hoped, with fierce eager ness, that the physical bond be- tween them would bring about a union so perfect as to obliterate | Towards 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. |
 It was cold afternoon in De- cember, with flurries of snow in the air. MT. 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 So cao,, ac