New Britain herald., 1930-09-24

"Guess I'm no good" he nut tered. T was a thinker when we were married. Maybe l shouldn't have asked you
 ''Is that all l mean to you?"
 He seized her by both arms roughly, but with an earnestness that temporarily soothed her grief.
 You mean everything to me. You're the one human soul I care about. But don't try to ride me on this drinking. I've been through hell, Dagger-the fighting, and the fellows I've seen go West, and this knee. and-just the war end ing like this got me. I wanted an- other shot at the Bochc. It's all I'm good for. What am I going to do?"
 She patted his cheek, motherwise, his offenses forgiven.
 We'll fly together, Jack dear. Let's organize a transportation company, Oh, there are lots of things to do. We might travel. I'd like to see the world, and if we flew it would be doubly fascinating, wouldn't it?"
 Maybe not. Not a bad scheme, But I don't know-can't fix my mind on anything yet He moved restlessly. Lets have a drink Let's go out and see the town after dinner. People over here are for getting the war; they can be gay, and enjoy themselves. That's what I'd like to do.'
 For a time Dagger clung to the hope that Jacks condition was tenn porary, a case of soul-shock such as was common among the return from the nerve-strain of the war; but as the weeks passed he became no better. He had no serious in- terests, and couldn't be persuaded to adopt any; his injured knee pre- cluded him from active sports; all he cared about was gambling and drinking, two cravings it was i'm possible for him to satisfy.
 Jacks parents suffered as much as she. and in the spring when MT. Vaneering died suddenly of a heart attack, Dagger knew that grief had hastened his end. Meanwhile Kitty had married an old lover back from the war and had gone to Detroit to live
 NEW HOPE OF HAPPINESS
 Dagger wasn't a person to drift indefinitely or 10 shirk responsibility and as Jacks drinking became in creasingly pernicious she was moved to intervene.
 However objectionable his habits, there remained in him, inseparable from his disposition, the underlying vein of affection he had inherited from his father.
 Drunk or sober, he treated her with consideration. and his worst sprees were varied by spells of tram sient contrition and loving kind ness. He wasn't, in plain words, a damned soul. His trouble was weakness, not viciousness.
 Moreover. his mother had snuh- bed her pride, and thrown herself on Daggers mercy.
 Alexandra, it's a bitter thing for me to say, ut he will do more for you than he will for me- The white head was held high; the cold eyes met Dagger's unfiinchingly. Speak to him, please! Do any thing. Hes running himself, now"
 Dagger knew what the plea cost Mrs. Vaneering: her instinct was toward generosity.
 'I cant influence him alone" she answered. But if you would help me-
 Certainly" assented her mother. in-law, whose pride was assuaged by the compliment,
 You wouldn't mind if he went away He'll never stop here, where there are so many temptations.
 "I should consent to that very readily" Mrs Naneering agreed Poor boy. he is too popular for hi; own good in New York
 Old Jim Marley had been writing | fretfully, asking Dagger if he wa!