New Britain herald., 1930-10-04
DAGGER
 by Mary Dahlberg

r. Synopsis: Dagger Marley, spirited young Texas girl, loves Blaine How - ard, adventurer, but he is reported killed on the Western Front in France. Then she marries Captain John Vaneering, war ace, but he = meets death in an airplane crash. The Due de Pontoise, in Paris, seeks her hand, but she refuses. |. Dagger decides to visit three friends O. Howard in Africa, India and China seeking the way to happiness, as Howard himself once had done. In Africa Sidi Marut, an Arab chief. tells her one should do whatever one thinks right In India, Ghulam Bulk, Buddhist priest, declares hap piness lies in forgetfulness of self. Chang Kai Sho. Chinese war lord, breaches the doctrine that might {. makes right. He shows unusual in- terest in Dagger and she fingers in his capital out of curiosity. One day l., he invites her to his palace to dine alone with him. There he asks her to become his wife, but she refuses. Then he tells her that Blain Howard Is alive.
 Chapter 36
 RISEN FROM THE DEAD
 Dagger huddled down in her chair, crushed, unbelieving, at Changs startling words. Two swift steps, and Chang was beside her.
 Drink this" he commanded, and she obeyed him.
 A moment, and her faintness had passed.
 Do you mean that, General?' ?'' she pleaded.
 "Yes. He was with me until a few weeks ago. He escaped out of Russia through Siberia. One of my patrols on the Mongolian border found him, delirious, starving. For tunately, the officer in command knew him. After he had recovered sufficiently he was brought to my camp, and told me his story. He had been unhappy, and when he was taken prisoner by the Germans he decided to die He exchanged Identification papers with dead man, and became that man. After the German revolution he escaped into Russia. But that is long story which he will tell you, himself, per. haps."
 If I ever find him." cried Dag, ger. why didn't you tell me this before e?''
 Chang's eyes chilled.
 "A man must fight for his owr " hand" he returned implacably You had believed him dead. Fol all I know he may have ceased tt love you-if he ever did"
 He never spoke of me?' she in quired piteously.
 He spoke of wife who did no love him, and of his unhappine ess He read in newspaper that hi: wife had married another man. ant said that at last fate was on hi side. He was dead, and he would remain dead"
 Dagger shivered. To have conn so close. And then have missed But instantly her thoughts returne' to the practical.
 Where is he?" she demanded Where has he gone?"
 The Tu-chun shrugged his shoul Q ders.
 'To his own country. A man i happier with his own people, eyel f he be 'dead.'" "If you had told me that frs day." she rebuked Chang. By nov I might be close to him."
 You have searched for hin long" the Tu-chun remarked philo sephically. What are a few week more? If it is fated that you vii find him, you will find him. If is fated that he will love you, h will love you. If fate wills neithe - the narrow eyes flashed-"re member Chang has a destiny fo you. No mean one.''
 Dagger could only look at hir -reproachfully, and he shrugge again.
 "A man takes what he can, m
 
 disturbed. And by the way, treas ure that lucky piece I first sent yol It enjoys a notable luck. I picke i. up in the Sung-fu market whe I was a green boy of sixteen. month later I committed my frs successful robbery. In a year had my own band. It has been wit me ever since. I give it to you j hope that it will work as we'll i your favor."
 But yourself?" protested Dagger You should keep it. And you hay .- given me so much.''
 "So little compared with my de sire" Chang replied. No, pleas favor me by keeping it-at leas as an earnest that I wish you we in your quest"
 "Yonr car is waiting, Mrs. Va , neering," the Tu-chun went 0 -courteously, 'and I do not like t keep you out too late. Should yo see Mir. Howard, remember me t him cordially. I shall be delighte to see either or both of you agai ; particularly, yourself"
 He bowed.
 I'll must thank you,' ex claimed Dagger. After all, yo have been kind. You meant we'll"