New Britain herald., 1930-09-22


 It was dismaying to encounter q mother-in-law who appeared to hold such radically different views on the fundamentals of life.
 I'll do all I can to please Mrs. Vaneering," she answered. T want her to love me"
 I'm sure she will, Alexandra" !" MT. Vaneerng assured her-but without conviction. And while We are on the subject, perhaps you don't know that Jacks transport sails tomorrow night?"
 Dagger gasped,
 We hadn't expected it would be so soon"
 T thought you should know at once" he said regretfully. Come, my dear, we'll find the car, and carry you home. You are tired, and you must have a chance to rest, for we have had to ask a number of relatives and intimates of the fam fly to dinner tonight to meet you. You see, Jacks time is so short. This is the one opportunity to pre- senting you as a couple"
 Dagger's head was in a whirl. Events had come fast in the last few weeks. Presently they were crawling through the traffic of Forty-third street, and Dagger was made conscious of the city's over towering mass. She was relieved when the car halted in front of q wide brownstone house facing Gen. tral Park; the vista of lawns and trees pretended to at least a seni- blance of independence of the sur rounding hulks of steel and stone. We are putting you in your old rooms, Jack" said his mother. "One of the guest rooms has been thrown in with it. l hope you and Alexandra will find it comfortable. |" Bewildered and more disposed 60 loneliness than she had been yet, through a door at the end of the hall; but bewilderment and loneli- ness faded when he took her in his arms.
 Tt all seems very new, doesn't it, honey?" he murmured in her ear. But remember, this is home to you just as much as to me-"
 You are going tomorrow night" she exclaimed, with a little catch in her voice.
 well, we've got tonight and to- morrow,' he treasured her. Kiss me! Again. Again. Now, what d'you waI>t to do first?"
 She al essed with precise care Her brown hair was parted in the middle and knotted flatly behind her small, shapely head. Her ivory brown skin was guiltless of rouge Her frock wass beige, cut simply and not very low.
 When Jack burst in upon her again he caught her in his arms and hugged her until she begged for mercy. He was more loving, more appreciative, than he had ever been, she thought, walkin,  room beside him.
 His pride in her went far to mi:i- gate the strain of introductions 10 a dozen guests, all relatives or fam fly friends, whose names were representative of the best known elements in New York society; hard featured women, beautifully gowned, off-hand in manner; sleek, well-groomed men.
 One or two attempts to patronize her she squelched, quietly, and then the men, discovering that she could talk intelligently and knew how to handle herself, combined to encourage her The women, or the contrary, couldn't quite forgive her youth and differentness. Kitty alone, was bluntly friendly.
 T like you. Alix,'' she called across the table. There isn't { woman here who wouldn't talk he, head off if she had flown an aero plane"
 Jack spoke:
 Tt won't be long now befor, woman will be doing everythin. that men Go from voting to cut ting their hair"
 This drew several quips iron the other men, and likewise fo cussed ktty's attention on he brother.
 T say, Jack" she exclaimed you aren't drinking,'
 "On the wagon" he returned,
 Promised Dagger
 Good work, Alix," applaude Kitty.
 But Mrs. Vaneering thrust bacI her chair.
 If you will give me your arm Jack, we will leave the gentleme to their coffee.'
 As Dagger rose with the othe women, she overheard her mother in-law say:
 What do you call your wife?"
 Dagger. It's a nickname. To see, there's a plant--'
 I'm not interested further Mrs. Vancering cut him off q has murderous sound"
 Chapter 5
 STORM CLOUDS GATHER
 Dagger's mother-in-law and Jac had disappeared, evidently for private talk, and she found difficu