New Britain herald., 1930-10-04

reJoined. Tn a selfish sense, or course. But one must think of him. self. Goodnight, Mrs. Vaneering. l am afraid my wives will be very curious about you.'
 When she left Sung-fu Dagger had no definite plan for her future, save that she must reach America as quickly as possible; but on the journey she developed a nostalgia for the Texas plains and the Fig ure 2.
 Practically, she told herself, she required a jumping-off place for the next stage of her search Of Blaine. He would scarcely go to New York, ii he wished to be considered dead. No. the proba ability was that he'd bury himself in some out-of-the way hole, where he could lose his identity and build his life anew.
 She was first on the car platform when Fl Paso at last loomed in the distance behind a welter of tanks and signal towers. There was Uncle Jim, squinting anxiously from beside new car. And McCarty bless his heart.- McCarty at the wheel, eyeing the descending passengers no less in terestedy. Dagger walked straight up to them.
 Don't you know me, Uncle Jim?' she demanded. Mac, you chump. Don't you know me?'
 Jim Marley let out something be- tween a yelp and curse.
 What's the matter?" protested Dagger, almost in tears. Am l changed so?"
 "Changed?" gasped her uncle. "Yew've done growed up."
 McCarty, grinning foolishly, had snatched off his hat, and scrambled to the ground.
 What have yew done with yore. self, Dagger" he asked. "Yew look like one of these here ladies in the Sunday papers. I never see such clothes-outside Of a film picture
 But clothes haven't anything tc | do with me-" she answered. Tn | just the same"
 Jim Marley put his two hands or her shoulders and held her off, s, that he could peer down into hel eyes.
 No, yew ain't just the same Dagger" he denied. "Yew've dont growed a heap. Growed-up, like said Too bad, but I reckon ono. yev got to be a woman yev couldn't help it."
 "How's the ranch ?" she inquired idly.
 Pretty good. Might have more water. but the steers are holdin up - if we can git a decent beet price. But thar ain't so much money into cattle these days. Seems like meat" He paused. Got a new l foreman
 "'How's that?" asked Dagger. "Dc I know him?'
 'Ain't had a dependable foreman since Dick went" her uncle re sponded. All of 'em too young ol careless.'
 "How's the new man?"
 Fair. Got heap to learn,' bu his hearts in his work" And WheI Dagger started to ask for more in formation; Come on, Mac, let get goin'."
 But what's the hurry? I wan to see everything"
 T reckon yew'll have time aplen ty for seein' things" returned he uncle. Right now, l want to mak' Casa Blanca afore sundown. Yev see, Dagger-' he hesi;a ated = these roads are hell. Much as yor' life is worth to tackle some of 'en in the dark.
 Dagger was puzzled, but amend ble, regarding, with degree 0 amusement, the speed which Nc Carty rang up on the dashboard.
 You never used to drive lils this, Uncle Jim," she observed.
 Jim Marley removed his hat, an' wiped a moist forehead.
 "Wa-al, we got to git thar" h offered mildly. See them steers Dagger? Not so bad for a dry sum mer, huh ?"
 That foreman must know hi business,' she remarked
 Him ?" snorted Jim Marley Wall, I ain't claimin' he's a foo but yew might give me credit fo knowln' my own ranch"
 They sped past the water-tanl and rounded to in front of Gas Blanca with a resounding blast c the horn and scores of friendl faces. weather-tanned, dusky, In dian-red, crowded about then "Mees Dagger" "Howdy, Dagger!
 Her eyes were damp as she ws half lifted, half pulled, from the cal She wasn't sorry when her uncl dragged her in the house dool calling over his shoulder: She stay with us q piece, now, YeW see plenty of her, folks
 Chapter 37
 THE END OF THE QUEST
 Within the ranch house, the fa miliar, cool darkness was like caress. Uncle Jim, breathing a trifl hastily, took her elbow and steere her into the living room. Her eye were becoming accustomed to u