Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-10
CHAPTER XIV.
"a MURDERoUs SOUND"


A 8 Dagger chung to Jacks arm.
n watching the group of their
"A friends dwindle to nothingnesS
i down the diminishing perspec-
tive of the rails. the possibility
Of failure or unhappiness in the future
never occurred to her.
And Joy sthl enwrapped her when
she descended to the platform at New
York. Jacks family? They were SIM
ply new adventure to be conquered,
and she looked up eagerly as he ex-
claimed:
There they arel"
Mr.. Vaneering she liked at once. He
was q tall man, with stopped Shout
ders and wore his gray beard without
affectation. He kissed her with timid
heartiness. Kitty was friendly, too-a
Stoutish person, bluff, plain-spoken,
smartly turned out.
But Mrs. Vanesring regarded her
coldly, almost challengingly, as If she
we're an enemy. why, she doesn't like
me-" was Dagger's instant thought. And
being Dagger, her chin went up, and
with the respect of her greeting was
blended a restraint she didn't show to-
ward the others. But she didn't under
estimate her mother-in-law. Mrs. Va
neering was small and dainty. She had
exquisite hands and feet and lovely
pink skin, set off by soft, white hair
Her movements were languid, and he1
attitude was one of Indifference.
80 this is Alexandria" she said
You are very young"
I'm almost 49," answered Dagger
Every one laughed, except Mrs. Va
neering.
and haven't thought Of getting mar
ried yet"
cit is not the custom for girls tc
marry so young in the East" remarked
her mother. Her gaze dwelt bleakly
upon Dagger's features, Slightly flushed
in the excitement of the moment. Eve
we're greatly surprised to hear of Jacks
marriage"
well, it was a surprise to me-" Dag
ger responded merrily.
I'VE find it a most delightful sur.
prise" Mr.. Vaneering said hesitantly
You are very welcome, my dear"
"I didn't think Jack had the taste,
it before"
"Oh, look here, now, sis" Jack pro-
tested, mock-seriously. But there wa!
nothing mock serious about his mother!
IT am sure, Kitty, your brother coult
have married any one of number Of
attractive girls. If you please, We dom
jest about marriage"
Dagger felt like little girl rebukeC
indirectly for something she hadn'
done.
Eyes, Mrs. vaneering." she assented
land I want so to make success
of it,
1--WE will do what we can for you
Alexandra" she replied. You are ont
of the family, of course, and the Va
| neerings have a great pride of name.
you mustn't feel lonely my dear.
Mr.. Vaneering said to Dagger. "Yol
belong to us, and am looking forward
to our closer acquaintance. After all
you are my daughter as much a.
Jacks wife, aren't you?" His smile wa
heart-warming, and Dagger prompt!
dismissed the uneasiness she had de-
rived from Mrs. Vaneering's reception
| of her. I'VE wish to do everything w
| can, you know, to atone for your LOSING
Jack so soon. 1t seems very unfair II
you"
"Oh, but I wouldn't have him sta!
home for anything" protested Dagger
| "You want your husband to go Il
Franco" he queried.
Certainly. Any wife would feel thu
same in the circumstances"
mo, my dear not any wife" he cor
rected. And permit me to caution yot
not to discuss this topic with jack
mother"
"Once more Dagger's heart fell. I
was dismaying to encounter a mother
| in-law who appeared to hold such rad
ically different views on the funda
mentals Of life.
"IIl do all I can to please Mrs. Va
! neering," she answered. II want her Il
| love me-"
I'm sure she will, Alexandra" Mr.
Vaneering assured her-but withou
conviction. And while we are on the
subject, perhaps you don't know tina