Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-21
The Dagger 3 sy % %.r 5.t sis;:
Copyright. 1890. By Dufneld and Company.

must know all about ones wife, her
background, her family, her fortune"
II should think love might decay in
the process" scoffed Dagger.
"On the contrary" the princess re-
Joined TRANQUILITY, True love can be
based most satisfactorily upon an
equality of interests and values"
In America 1t is based upon itself
That is sufficient"
But We are in France" the princess
reminded her. In America, I dare say,
matters are different. There, for in
stance, you do not have the RESPONSE
bility OF name such as Raoul bars"
Il am proud Of my name, princess
1t stands for something"
Excellent, my dear. It is good to
have family pride. But name such
as RaoulS-"
Does Raoul presume to believe that
would admit his name to be better
or more honorable than miner" Dagger
demanded warmly.
The princess laughed.
Saint Verge, what a spitfirel' But
you are right, my child. honor you
for it-and so will Raoul. Tut why
should we speak of background and
family to you? You are of us, wherever
you come from, whoever you may be
1t Is plain. Our friends have seen it.
AS for fortune, that is of no concern
to Raoul. He said frankly he should
ask nothing. If this is to be a mar
rage Of love-"
"But there is to be no marriage, >
protested Dagger. and please believe
me when say that am not in love
The princess shrugged her shoulders
again.
1--WE talk at purposes" she said
Love Is not, precisely, the topic OF
our discourse. I have in mind simply
to advise you of Raouls desire to ask
for your hand"
Dagger was silent for several min.
utes. her mind almost numb.
you mustn't let him." she said al
last.
"Why not2"
"Because-well, because don't
But, my dear, we have discussed thai
aspect of the situation" the princes.
interjected firmly. 1T is early to speal
of love before the betrothal. You woulc
at least begin with respect and mutua
esteem, which is more than falls to thu
lot of most couples"
Dagger shook her head.
IT have no intention Of marrying,
she answered. And If had, it woulC
I couldn't live with man If didn'
love him with all my strength"
| "Ah, to be sure" The princess nod
ded wisely. "That is we'll said That i
how marriages should be. And in thu
meantime may we take it that you hav
no objection to Raouls waiting upol
you?"
st suppose So" she assented. 81
won't be Of any Use"
LET us wait and see," advised hi
Tante. 81 have known women befor
who were hot for rejection in the pre-
liminary discussions and afterwar'
urged on the betrothal."
Dagger opened her mouth to reply
and then decided not to. Their point
of view we're entirely too alien.
"Ill be glad to see him." she answers
after another interval of consideration
al only hope shan't hurt him."
The Princess Rakovsky patted he
hand with a rare manifestation of af
lection.
"It would make me happy, my dear
If you could come to an arrangement
with Raoul. He should marry, and VIII
would be more charming as Duchess
de Pontoise than you?"
Dagger murmured an acknowledge
ment of the compliment, wishing he
heart wouldn't beat so rapidly. Their
was much in what the princess ha
said. If it wasn't for the memor
of Howard.
But the dead man overshadowed he
heart as II he had been living pres
ence.
CONTINUED tomorrow