Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-13
Continued From Yesterdays starr
CHAPTER XVII.

A STRANGE REVELATION.
~ AGGER leaned forward over the
table, her face suddenly white
and strained, as yelling men,
toned that ne was to marry
Emily Howard.
"Blaine's wife?"
Dick bowed his head.
"She-- It wasn't exactly her fault
They'd worked on her. Fancy 1 told
you something of how it happened. OF
course, 1 was bitter-not so much
against any one person, unless 1t was
her mother-the whole idea OF the
thing, y'know" He was silent a while,
twisting his glass around and around.
Dagger's face remained white and still.
81 met her this last year. We've
rather hit it off. Picked up where we'd
dropped apart-if you know what l
mean"
But"
The stricken look in Dagger's eyes
made him vince.
Legally, she's a widow" he said, very
low
Because" Dagger swallowed hard
"Blaine's dead"
Yes"
Did they find him?"
mo. dear But when a mans re-
ported missing in action and no trace
of him is discovered, when all the rec
ognized agencies fail to come upon
piece of evidence to prove him alive,
that man is-dead."
Dageer's throat continued to work
spasmodically.
How awful" she said. mo, no. not
you, Dick. But this makes me realize
it's like seeing him, dead. I think
must have kept a hope in the back of
my heart" A sob choked her silly,
wasn't it? And I'm another mans
wife!"
Dick reached across and patted her
hand.
You're happy, aren't you?" he asked.
"Ye-es. I'm happy as I know how to
be. But there are times Blaine seems
to come between me and Jack. And
oughtnt to feel like this. It's not fair
to Jack. He loves me-and love him.
I really do, Dick. But it's not like the
love I had for Blaine-I mean have
for Blaine" She laughed on note
of hysteria I'm queer sort of woman,
aren't I? I love two men-and one of
them's dead"
Drawing uneasily on his pipe, Dick
strove to frame an adequate answer.
Not many men and women go
through life without lovin' more than
once" he propounded. I'm an excep-
ton, from what I can see. AS for you,
YOU re X. anu I116 1uChlCSl bll1LlB
that could have happened to you was
meetin' this Jack of yours"
But how can keep on loving man
who's dead?"
Loyalty. You're loyal as anything,
Dagger. That's the kind of stuff that's
stronger than death. Only don't let 1t
make you unhappy"
She Strengthened instinctively in her
chair.
"I don't care so much if it makes me
unhappy" she answered; but I mustn't
let it make Jack unhappy. 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 ex-
pect."
Another burst of hysterical laughter
shook her.
IF you don't mind, I won't come. I
couldn't stand it."
mo. I fancy you couldn't" he as
scented, gravely. But you aren't going
TO let this come between us. are you?
Emily's a good sort. She and Blaine
well, y'know the truth is she told Blaine
the circumstances when they were mar
ried. That's why they were apart most
of the time"
Did you know he was her husband
when he was at the rancho"
Eyes. but he didn't know me. Emily
never told him who was, and he wasn't
the sort to pick up gossip"
IF he'd known, would he have
Dagger paused questioningly.
Rather fancy he would have done
something"
And he had to die to make way for
you!" Dagger stood up. I'm all in.
Dick. Do you mind if 60 home?"
mo, II you must" Dicks face was
troubled. But you haven't told me If
this is to be wedge between us. I'd
Almost
"Oh. Dick, never! I'm not that self