New Britain herald., 1930-09-29
Chapter 26 THE DUG TELLS OF HIS LOVE

THE DUG TELLS OF HIS LONE
 DePontoise waited upon Dagger the next day. He was his usual self, except for a slightly tense look about his mouth, and tinge Of color in his cheeks, mirrored in Dagger's own. There was, too, a formality in his manner which he : had abandoned since they had es- tablished terms of intimacy. Sol Gierlike, he went abruptly to his subject.
 My Tante spoke with you yes terday," he said.
 "Yes Raoul.'
 "I regret that I must seem pre- cipitate," he continued; but as you : have no relative within reach- o T am my own mistress" she re- piled kindly. Anything you have to say you may say to me, but per . haps I should warn you" she hes itated- "I told the Princess '~ Please" he interrupted. "She repeated your conversation. Yet I have a hope that you will do me <. the honor to consider seriously what I have to say to you.'
 Dagger bit her lip. This was go- 7 ing to be even harder than she had anticipated.
 T am glad to listen to you she
 He bowed, with the stiff dignity which so became him in moments : of embarrassment.
 You permit that I address my self directly to you?" E If you will" she replied faint . ly. T am afraid that this will only . make for your unhappiness." No, mo-" he denied. T find hap piness. at least, in being afforded the opportunity to tell you that l ;, love you"
 She closed her eyes, so poignant ly did she feel the light that shone in. his. He did love her, loved her splendidly. Why was she unable to return a love so fine? Must she live under an evil star, which would lifelong deny her the happi- ness which came to other women 2 no worthier than she?
 If I might answer you as you wish, Raoul!" she explained. "Perhaps you will yet" he re- turned, undaunted. T have loved you since the first afternoon I saw you. Doubtless it is enough that l say that, but if I may, I will add that I have never met a woman l would rather offer my name to. You will not misunderstood me, Dagger. We think the same about these matters. RaAk is an opport tunity to you, not a means of grati- flying social ambition. And you and I might achieve more together than separate"
 And as he started forward eagerly, No, Raoul, that means only so much. You see, cannot love you"
 Perhaps not as I love you" he amended; but I will teach you to -- love. It will come. Our hearts shall kindle it.
 Not mine" She strove for . phrases not too cruel. T shall never love again.
 e You? So young?" He was startled. But there are long years .- before you"
 = What have years 10 do with that?" she retorted passonately. "It Is suffering, knowledge, that |" makes age"
 ~- De Senac regarded her uneasily.
 If I have trespassed," he said, e T must apologize. Your husband is not long,
 Not he," she denied.
 There was another?'
 "Yes." And after an interval Howard"
 De Senac looked away from her, .7 and she was at pains to keep her n eyes down lest they see the pain in lis face.
 T might have known" he said more to himself than to her. You have spoken of him. And you are 2. of tho same breed' His heels -- clicked together. You will forgive me If say one thing more, Dag ger?"
 She murmured her assent.