The Daily Alaska empire., 1930-08-07

 night, and
 Not drink Bourbon in Paris, interjectcd Dick Fin Champagne maybe-And by the way, I've talk en a suite for you at the Meurice. Hop in here; we'll send your maid with the luggage"
 Dick let her be for several min utes, then continued:
 T know how things were with you-saw it from the way you wrote-not what you said, y'know, but what you didn't. And I heard from friends about Vaneering. A good chap but wild Not that I blame him, dear. Flyin took some thing out of the lads; they got to be cynical, too objective; life was more or less Of an incidental thing, not important, if you get me" Dagger drew a glove from her left hand, and offered it for his inspection-her third finger was bare of any ring.
 You see?" she said T took it off before I left New York. I've sometimes wondered if that ring wasn't symbolical of us. We were married in such a hurry that we had to buy it from the funny, old justice who performed the cere- mony. That wasn't very sensible, was it, Dick?"
 No" he admitted gravely; but you young people weren't partial to sense during the war. And sup pose" he hesitated-"well, it was swing -back-from the other thing, eh?"
 Dagger's eyes remained fastened on that ringless white finger.
 T don't know" she answered at last. "He reminded me of Blaine mot that they were really alike. And he was like Blaine, again, be- cause he could do something l wanted to do much better than I could. Only-only-Dick, this is a cheap thing to say; Jacks dead, and but I'm going to say it. He simp- ly wasn't in Blaine's class. Blaine was stronger than I; he could do lots of things better than I. Jack wasn't nearly so strong as I am, and the one thing he could do better was flying. But nothing that I say is by way of excuse. For what l did I was responsible, and if I had to pay for it I deserved it."
 "The debts wiped out replied Dick. Main thing is to start you off straight on the next lap, what?"
 The taxi spun around a corner into the Rue de Rivoli and the glare of the street-lights momen- tarily flooded it's interior Dick leaned forward toward Dagger, studying the features so harshly ex- posed.
 Good lord, you look about twen- ty," he exclaimed
 That's all I am. But I seem to have lived ages more than other girls"
 ITO be sure, but most girls of your age haven't begun to live You're on the threshold of life, Dagger. You've scarcely sampled what it has to offer"
 The taxi ground to a stop in front of the portico of the Meuriee. She hugged his arm as they entered the marble lobby, and her eyes wandered appreeiatively over the varied contents of the glittering showcases which trimmed the walls.
 How delightful" she exclaimed. "This is what I expected Paris to be- I shall go out and buy and buy-oh, everything. I am glad I'm alive, Dick
 "The inevitable woman" laughed Dick. You succumb to the firs1 lure which meets the eye"
 They reached the desk, and there was much lowing of managers and assistant managers, scurrying of clerks and deferential attempts to convince Dagger that she was quite the most important parsonage in Paris that night.
 Dick said goodbye as soon as her registration had been attended to.
 "Shan't keep you" he explained You're coming out to dine with us at Neuilly. The car will be here for you at eight-thirty. So long, old thing"
 The assistant m anag CT stood aside with a low bow as he ush- cred her into her suite.
 "Madame's friends have not for gotten her" he said, smiling.
 Dagger paused in the doorway her lips parted in a long "o-oohp of surprise. For the salon was a bower of flowers; tables held boxes of cigarettes and candy, books and magazines were scattered here ano there.
 Just like Dick" was her first thought.
 Then her attention was attracted by a heap of orchids in vase or the center table, and as she ap- preached eagerly to examine them La