New Britain herald., 1930-09-22

| versation of the other women.
 It was a relief when the men finally joined them, and Kitty sug- gested bridge, for she had to con- centrate on the game, and that di- verted her thoughts from what Jacks mother was saying to him upstairs.
 Mr Vaneering escorted Dagger to her room after the party and broken up. He was very quiet, and made no reference to his wife'S de- parture; but his manner toward Dagger was unobtrusively affection ate.
 Good night, Alix-or may l say Dagger? Thank you" He stopped to kiss her. You are treat. l am gong to enjoy you"
 Please do,' was all she could say for acknowledgment.
 For she was frightened. What had happened between Jack and his mother? What would happen? Jack was lounging in big easy chair, a cigarette in his mouth. He rose at once, and made deter mined effort to erase the shadow which hung over his features.
 ''Ah, sport" he greeted her. What luck?"
 She tossed handful of checks to him, without comment. He whis- tied, riffling through them.
 About a thousand, eh? And l suppose the chumps thought they would show the little girl from Tex as some high life"' He took her hands, his eyes scrutinizing her with mixture of adoration anl concern. say" he gulped-'you and mother haven't hit it off, have you?"
 Dagger choked her first indignant affirmation of the question with an effort. A still voice deep in her brain whispered that this man was her husband, who, in less than twenty-four hours, would have left her for the caldron of the war. Any humiliation or discomfort she suffered wouldn't be too steep q price to pay, if it made his going easier.
 T know, dear.' She nodded wise ly. And you mustn't worry. We'll get along perfectly just as soon as we know each other, And your fa- ther and Kitty like me, already"
 They're wild about you. And so will mother be, after she's recon ciled to the situation. She cant help loving you-nobody could"
 And he swept her bodily off her feet in an embrace that shook her with ecstasy.
 "Only tonight and tomorrow" he panted. "Oh, Dagger, So short q time. Love me, dearest, love me-"
 T love you with all my heart" she murmured.
 But when she closed her eyes t wasn't Jacks face that swan misti- ly in front of her. Could it be How ards?
 Later, lying awake beside her i sleeping husband, she conned the 1 'tduNilNC OL IlCl lllt, lllc illdIy uI- premeditated steps by which she had come from Casa Blanca to this high walled chamber through the windows of which beat the pulse of New Yorks night-life. So far in so short a time What might the future hold for her? And suddenly she was glad that the future was closed book. The past had held it's tragedy. Best let the futures leaves unfold from day to day, So at last, she slept, walk ing in a flood of golden sunlight, with Jack bending over her.
 Hi, little devil, Aren't you in terested in me today? Come on. Breakfast is spread in the den"
 Most of the day she spent with him, except for luncheon and an early dinner with the whole family, and an interval she, herself, sug gested devoted by him to a visit with his mother. When he left for the ferry to Hoboken to board his ship Dagger kissed him goodby with a Contentmcnt that was bliss ful.
 We ought to have gone wit him. sobbed Kitty.