New Britain herald., 1930-09-26
Chapter 22 A 'TNICE OI-T OE THE PAST

Dagger put one hand to her throat, and swallowed hard. The past was the past. Foolish to yield to it. And yet-she started again to read the note from the Due de Pontoise, and one of the phrases suddenly rang out with a familiar note. ''The re- sponsibility of the well-born."
 She had heard that before. And her eyes strayed down the sheet to the signature: Raoul de Senac, Due de Pontoise. Surely, that name meant something to her. Had Jack men, tioned it? No, she was sure he hadn't. And then, as suddenly as before, warmth of memory sur fused her: there was a creak of leather in her ears, and far-off the lowing of cattle. Texas. Phrases snapped wildly in her mind ". as different as four men could be-, Raoul de Senac-he was the first. he has Charlemagnes blood in his veins a great aristocrat-who believes in the re- sponsibility of the well-born."
 Dagger gasped. But of course; It had been Howard, Howard telling her of his pilgrimage in search of light. De Senac was Howard s friend, had been Towards friend before he became Jacks. She laughed to herself on a faint note of hysteria. How strange, how baffling strange. Here, tonight, she had established contact with the friend of the two men who had loved her, whom she had loved.
 For an instant she had a sensa- ton of nearness both to Blaine and ing in upon her, their spirits blan keting her. But as quickly as the sensation had developed it was gone. and she heard dimly her maid, speaking from the bedroom door:
 Pardon, Madame, your bath IS ready"
 Half an hour later, Dagger sat at her dressing table, soothed and relaxed beyond her expectations. Marie's skillful hands yielding the brush upon her hair, a pleasant chatter of gossip driving unpleas- ant thoughts from her mind.
 The room telephone tingled abruptly.
 "Madame's car is at the door"
 We must hurry" said Dagger. Here I have been dreaming when my friends wait dinner for me. My dress-quick, Marie"
 A few minutes later the car came to stop in front of high gates, and presently rolled on into a short driveway, which circled between a patch of lawn and a square built stone house. A butler, who wore the rfbbin of the Croix de Guerre on his. lapel, ran down the steps to open the car door, and ushered her into . hall where a fire burned on an open hearth.
 Ina doorway on her right Dick Yelling appeared with " all. ash blonde woman, whose willowy fig ure and perfect features seemed to Dagger to constitute an ideal com bination of aristocratic beauty; while the slow, drawling voice and friendly smile made an impression Of humor and feeling. Much to her surprise, Dagger realized that she was going to like Emily.
 So this is Dagger" Emily ex- claimed. From all Dicks tales l expected a cowgirl in boots and brooches - ones idea are colored by the films, perhaps. And you are a woman of the world. Dick, you never said your Dagger was SC lovely"
 You mustn't turn my head, laughed Dagger. And if there's anything you like about me. Dick is responsible. He was the closest to a father I had"
 Emily put an arm around Ter and kissed her and Dagger, who loathed women's caresses, as a rule was touched.
 T owe you very much, my dear, Emily. said trifle huskily. T don know what Dick would have dom during those unhappy years, bu for you and that precious uncle o yours-But let's not talk of it."
 Dagger was surprised at hersel