New Britain herald., 1930-09-23
and he wasn't the sort to pick up

and he wasn't the sort to pick up gossip"
 If he'd know would he have" Dagger paused questioningly. Rather fancy he would have dcne something"
 And he had to die to make way for you" Dagger stood up. I'm all in, Dick. Do you mind if I go home?"
 No, if you must" Dicks face was troubled. But you haven't told me if this is to be a,,wedge between us. I'ds almost-"
 "Oh, Dick, never! I'm not that selfish. And after while-after I've gotten myself adjusted to everything-Ill come and visit you and her. But not just now. l couldn't"
 Shall see you before I sail?"
 "As often as you can. l need you, Dick" She ground a balled fist in to her eyes, No, don't come with me. I'll be better alone. This had tq be, and it's good thing it hap pfned this way"
 He kissed her, and at the door she turned with a ghost of a smile.
 q haven't wished that you'll be happy. I do Dick-oh, I wish it so hard . And l hope she'll be happy; too. She deserve it, poor thing more than either of us, doesn't she ?"
 Daggers reaction to the emotions reused by Dicks news was a stub bern blaze of loyalty to Jack Toss ing through the night, she told her self again and again that she must not let a dead man come between her and her husband, and in the succeeding days the resiliency Of youth coupled with her innate hon. esty-and Dicks level-headed coun- sel-helped her to regain a normal attitude.
 Indeed Dicks presence was help ful to her in more ways than one. His companionship took her mind off her problem, and the prestige O. her intimacy with him definitely established her in the Vaneering's set. And although he was obliged to sail for home fortnight later, the rush of events that fall, cul- minating in the Armistice, kept her interested and free from introspec- ton.
 |, Towards memory again faded from her consciousness for the time being. Only on rare occasions now did his face disturb her thoughts. Would she be able to forget him, for good? Time alone would tell. Meanwhile there was the excitement of preparing for Jacks homecoming Jack wrote that his knee was steadily improving, but that he would be convalescent for some time after reaching home, as the injury be exercised in order that the joint might function normally again.
 She was truly happy and expec- tant when her father -in-law was able to arraAge that Jack should be returned among the first of the IhC lIllliiOil' NSullC IluIlcllly, SHS felt that she had hardly been a wife, and she hoped, with a fierce eagerness, that the physical bond between them would bring about a union so perfect as to obliterate Towards image from her conscious thoughts. She knew she wanted Jack as a man. No woman on the pier the day Jacks ship came in craved love more ardently than she.
 It was cold afternoon in Decem- Der, with flurries of snow in the air. Mir. Vaneering had obtained permission for his family to pass the barriers and stand beside the gangway, which was ready to be run out to the steamer so soon as the tugs had pushed her into her berth. Looking up at the decks thronged with officers in the uni ferns of all the Allies, Dagger's checks were crimson, her eyes sparkling. Mir. Vaneerng hooked an arm affectionately in hers.
 Our Jack will want to jump straight down her when he sees | you, AliS,' he laughed. 'I wish he would" exclaimed Dagger.
 Mrs. Vaneering stirred petulant- | ly on her husbands other side.
 You both forget his poor knee," she objected.
 But Dagger, all unhearing. cried out, between tears and laughter: "Oh, there he is! But no-it can't | it is."
 She ended on sob, and Mir. Va neering followed her glance up ward, a prey to wonderment. It was