New Britain herald., 1930-09-18


 Elspeth--was a bustling, stout, lit tie woman, with bright, beady eyes. She was never in doubt on any sub ject, and regarded the world with a suspicion she made no attempt to hide, but her soft drawl and genuine kindness of heart went far to minimize the effect of what oth- erwise must have seemed asperity.
 "My glory, child" she greeted Dagger at the station, you surely do look peaked. Whatever has Jim Marley been doing to you?'
 Were short handed on the ranch" Dagger parried. And it's been hot"
 "Hot! It's hot here in San An tcnio, but Humph! Any man that would let a decent girl take an outlandish name like Dagger would be bound to overwork his own flesh and blood. And that dress is two years behind the styles. You've got to think of your future, Alix. You can't wear brooches all the time"
 'I've been too tired to pay atten- ton to clothes" confessed Dagger.
 "I'll be bound! Well, the first thing we do is to see that you're dressed as becomes a girl of your age. I reckon I'll have to fatten you, too. It doesn't favor you to be skinny. child"
 From the automo obile they had entered, Dagger stared curiously at the swarms of soldiers in the streets, and her aunt snapped tart ly:
 "Yes, there's all the men in crea- tion in the place, and pretty girl can have a different beau every evening. I hope you won't lose your head Ike lot of flighty chits I could name, and go gallivanting with whoever asks you, just because he wears uniform"
 Dagger laughed a little bitterly.
 T haven't any desire to go gall- wanting, Aunty; but it will be fun to see few men who aren't old or peons."
 You'll be sick of 'em in a month" he aunt predicted, 'Too much man is like too much sweet ening-bad for comfort"
 High over head sounded a mighty, droning roar, as if some monstrous bumble-bee was buzzing past. In the street, people craned their necks. and Dagger thrust her head out the car window to look up. All wings lined against the blue of tho sky; but the sheer miracle of the picture. choked her.
 "How gorgeous" she cried. An aeroplane, Auntyi'
 ''Most as many of those fool con- traptions as men," her aunt retort- ed. That Willie of mine goes up in them every day. Nothing would do, but he must be an aviator. l argued with him, and you might think his mothers feelings would mean something. Not for a mo- ment. Young folks don't heed their parents any more. Willie took him. self off to Kelly Field, and next I heard he was a flying cadet"
 But you're proud of him, Aunt Espy," exclaimed Dagger. I'd give anything to fly"
 Well, by all the say, it's dan gerous enough" sniffed Aunt Espy. I'd sleep easier mornings, if l didn't know that about sunrise Willie's likely to go up. Oh, he'll talk you deaf-and- dumb when he sees you about props and tail-skids, and ailerons, and nose-dives, and l don't know what. And as careless of themselves as if they were angels, with wings sprouting from their shoulders.
 "Wonderful." Dagger could scarcely contain her excitement. Flying must be better than rid ing. When will Willie be home?"
 He gets leave every night or so. But first, we simply must go shop ping. l can't have you receiving callers dressed like Jim Marley's idea of what a young girl should wear. I'm amazed he didn't send you off in khahi pants"
 To tell the truth, Dagger enjoyed immensely those feverish hours dur ing which her aunt hectored her