New Britain herald., 1930-09-23

ago. But somehow or other he's gotten to be--Well, what he is" She smiled at her mother-in-la law ''Please forgive me. It isn't every day you meet the man who made himself your substitute father, is it 2"
 Really, Alexandre!. I had no idea, Lord Wenlock-" |.
 Nor l." Dick interrupted gently. This War has torn so many of us free from our roots. Up to a year back Dagger was the same as a daughter to me, l worked for her uncle, y know fancy I might claim 10 have known her from babyhood" A wicked twinkle came in his eyes Yes, maam, I can re call q time her uncle and I matched to see which of us should spank her"
 Mrs. Taneerings lips frightened.
 Most interesting" she mur- mured in the strangled tones which Dagger had learned indicated an effort 10 restrain her temper. "Ah- an extraordinary coincidenee. But -ah-perhaps We may offer you a cup of tea, Lord Wenlock? And om guests - they are looking forward to meeting you'
 For Dagger the rest. of the recep- ton was q dream. She saw nothing Of Dick to be~sure: but the other guests swarmed around her, begging for information about him. How had he lost his arm. Oh, he'd been the famous polo player! And how had she happened 10 meet him? A horse trainer, How odd. BGr these Englishmen of the nobility were capable of anything eccentric.
 Meantime. Dick, sizing up Mrs Vaneering, had wasted no opportu- mites to pour into her ears the worth of Dagger and the ominence of the Marley name.
 He recounted the square miles they owned, and had owned; the parts they had played in the wars of the Lone Star Republic; their eX- ploits in the Civil War; Uncle Jim's career with the siX-gun-this last topic he developed quite maliciously when he discovered how it per turbed her
 Later, Mr. Naneoring came in. and pleased Dick by his evident affec- ton for his daughter-in-law Except for the "Old Dragon" as he mental ly christened Mrs. Naneerirg, Dick was satisfied with her new familys attitude toward Dagger; and he continued unremittingly his inten- ton to convince that lady that in the eyes of the Earl of Wenlock- who was, likewise. Niscount We'll ing and Baron Stiyely, in the Peer age of England-Dagger was about the grandest person in the world.
 She and her husband must visit me at Wenlock." he declared, just as soon as the war is over. We'll do 8 bit of huntin', play polo, too. Ever see Dagger play polo, Mrs. Vaneering? Shed rate four goal handicap on any list l had the makln ot.'
 Mrs. Vanearing writhed at every mention of the name Dagger, but she couldn't help being impressed by his interest in her daughter-in- law. Nor could she very well object when he said, on taking his leave:
 "A delightful afternoon. No, thanks. I cant come back for din her. Matter of fact, I'm taking Dagger down to the Ritz for a long talk. Want to get her to myself for a while"
 Outside Dick dismissed his own entourage.
 GO off and play. you chaps. I'll be busy" And to the chief of the police escort charged with his shepherding: "Just forget about he. sergeant. I'm going to be unofficial. No, thanks. I'll catch a plain taxi. Come on, Dagger"
 At the Ritz they dined comfort ably in Dicks suite, talking leisure ly of all that had happened. Dag ger described how she had met Jack and learned to fly and how love had come to her a second time And Dick had his own story to tell how his cousins had died with in a month of each other the father lcken-hearted over the loss ot three sons, and he had been sum. moned to assume the title and take over the estates.
 Not that there's much in tho | land in FnglcId ncN s,days," he amended. What with income taxe, and death duties I'm fair rocked
 "In find you a rlth American girl, Dick" gibcd iagFer.
 He flushed, twist.ne the stem c lis wine-giass.
 What are .on so modest about? 2 she demanded.
 He regarded her askance.
 Haven't told you all my stor, yet. D'you remember-that tim you went off your chump, ch?"
 You mean Howard ?'
 "Yes. And I told you about girl who'd tilted me after I tool that toss?" He jerked the stump o his lost arm. "Well, that girl wa Emily Howard"
 Chapter t7
 A STRANGE REVELATION
 Dagger leaned forward over in table, her face suddenly white an