The Daily Alaska empire., 1930-08-25

 favor me by keeping it-at least, as an earnest that wish you well in your quest"
 He clapped his hands, and the young officer who had received her strode out upon the terrace.
 Your car is waiting, Mrs. Va neering," the Tu-chan went on courteously, and I do not like to keep you out too late. Should you see MT. Howard, remember me to him cordially. I shall be delighted to see either or both of you again particularly, yourself"
 He bowed.
 III must thank you," ex- claimed Dagger. After all, you have been kind. You meant well.
 "Oh, quite well, l assure you" he reioined. Tn a selfish sense, Of course. But one must think of him. self. Goodnight, Mrs, Vaneering. l am afraid my wives will be very curious about you"
 When she left Sung-fu Dagger had no definite plan for her future, save that she must reach America as quickly as possible; but on the journey she developed a nostalgia for the Texas plains and the Figure 9.
 Practically, she told herself, she required a jumpingoff place for the next stage of her search for Blaine. He would scarcely go to New York, if he wished to be con- sidered dead. No the probability was he'd bury himself in some out of-the-way place, where he could lose his identity and build his life anew.
 She was first on the car platform when Fl Paso at last loomad in the distance behind welter of tanks and signal towers.
 There was Uncle Jim, squinting anxiously from beside a new car And McCarty-bless his heart!- McCarty at the wheel, eyeing the descending passengers no less in- terestedly. Dagger walked straight up to them.
 Don't you know me, Uncle Jim?" sine demanded Mac, you chumpl Don't you know me?"
 Jim Marley let out something between yelp and curse.
 What's the matter?" protested Dagger, almost in tears. Am I so changed?"
 "Changed?" gasped her uncle. "Yewve done growed up" McCarty, grinning foolishly, had snatched off his hat, and scram- bled to the ground 1 What have yew done with yore- self, Dagger?" he asked "Yew look like one of these here ladies in the Sunday papers. I never see such Iclothes-outside of a film picture. J
 But clothes haven't anything to do with me" she answered. I'm just the same"
 Jim Marley put his two hands on her shoulders and held her off, sc that he could peer down into her eyes
 No, yew ain't just the same Dagger" he denied. "Yew've done groWed a heap. Growed-up, like said. Too bad, but I reckon once lyew got to be woman yew could mot help it
 "How's the ranch?" she inquired idly.
 Pretty good Might have more
 water, but the steers are holdin
 up-if we can git a decent beei
 price. But thar ain't so much mon.
 ey into cattle these days. Seems
 like people wore eatin' greens 'steae of meat" He paused. Got new
 foreman"
 "How's that?" asked Dagger. ''Dt know him?" "Ain't had a dependable foreman since Dick went" he uncle re sponded. "All of 'em too young ol ? careless
 Flows the new man?"
 Fair. Got a heap to learn, bu his hearts in his work" And whel Dagger started to ask for more in
 formation: Come on, Mac, let's ge goin'"
 But what's the hurry? I wan : to see everything" T reckon yew'll have time aplen ty for seein' things returned he uncle Right now, want to mak : Casa Blanca afore sundown. Yey see, Dagger" he hesitated-'thes roads are hell. Much as yore life i worth to tackle some of 'em in tn dark"
 Dagger was puzzled, but amend
 ble, regarding with a degree o . amusement. the speed which Mo Carty rang up on the dashboard