New Britain Herald Newspaper, September 15, 1930, Page 10

NEW ‘BRITAIN, CONNECTICUT, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1930. DAGGER by Mary Dahlberg CHAPTER I A FlGlT“E RESCUED HE half oughbred sideways, thrust flanks tremblind. The girl in the caddle balanced {, herself, "= UBasy, mond Only 2 rattler, boy.” The horse whinnied < nervously. All around, the bare, plains stretched endlessly, flat, monotonous, unadorned, save for occasional dwarf oaks that fought a hopeless battle against the scorch- ing Texas sun and blasting winds. There was an immensity to the land- scape that was overpowering. Nature ruled it all but unchal- lenged. Man was a puny creature tolerated on sufferance. The very sounds that pierced its cloak of si- lence emphasized an implacable hostility to life: the discqnsolate mooing of a lost calf by a water- hole, the cawing of a pair of buz- zards drifting on wide-spread pin- ions toward the hazy dislance that was Mexico. Des- brown “This Gringo, In all those miic not a human being cept this girl, lithe, erect, in khaki shirt and soft felt hat, whote cycs roved fearlessly about her, with special concern for that taut line of wire fence on her right hand, besides herself the only sign of civilizatidn. It was a sag in the wire which caused her to rein in abruptly. * “That's what we're after, Des- “mond,” she confided to her mount. ““Any yearling could scramble through that gap.” She slipped to the ground, and snatched the steeplebag from the saddle-bow. “I reckon some of rode this break last murmured, lifting the place and hammering secure. “I'll have to tell *Uncle Jim to ccunt the river herds. Hullo!" The silence was- shattered by crackling series of detonations, but Alexandra Marley, bred on the Mexican border, knew rifle-fire when she heard it. Then her eyes marked down the buzzards swoop- ing over a clump of oaks beyond the sluggish trickle of the Rio Grande, a few hundred yards dis- tant. “We'll have to look into this, pony,” she informed Desmond. A bullet whined by her e but she pushed her mount resplutely into the water, scrambli up the farther bank in time to see a single rider burst from the shelter of the oaks—an American, she realized at a glance. A dozen sombrero- crowned figures galloped after him, rifles spouting, velping threats. she into night,” wire it The girl galloped straight for the | river bank, shouting a stream of orders in Gringo Spanish and cow- boy English. At sight of her the firing ceased, and the Mexicans reined in their panting mounts, cartering up a bit sheepishly to where the new arrival on the scene had halted, lhi-m with flashing ve el fuego? Clear out." \r\l squat leade Jose! W “’Ees (‘h explosively The girl American, surveying Grmgo done?” irter,” Jose respor one look at the had halted beside her, an amused grin on his lean, beaked features “I'm a newspaper corresponden he said for hi “Been w Pancho this He te hanker pa “You spill your stu against Senor— Howard, Blaine tugitive volunteered Jose shrugged his shoulders. “Humph.” she ted, boy] authoritative. “Pancho bee ning any guns across lately?” \Jose's face became blank ‘No sabe, Senorita Dagger." But Howard slapped a hand on Lis dusty thigh “Thats i He 4id run a couple of big shipments —last month this."” “Well, you aren’t fig confidential conversa berder guards “0f course Europe —where the fi man-size."” She rourided upon “You hear? This harm to Pancho. “But Pancho, s T Jose, got How hly run- on any h the not! set for Jose ‘e say keep 'eem A\ thor- | is leaped | And | head. Villa's peons | | Howard as Jose objected doubtfully. “You tell Pancho, Dagger Marley responsible for Senor Howard! it the Figurs 2 bunk- house. How's that, amigo? Frijoles and all, three times a day, and thir- | ty pesos a month beside Jose grinned. *‘Esta_bueno! a good Villista.” “A good Villista,” ard. "What's that?" She, laughed ‘and threw back Her| Pancho knows I'm | chuckled How- | “Yo no quiero Carranzistas, Yo lo quiero con Villistas.” Jose and his brigands exploded in | riotous mirth, and the saddest peon | of the lot carolled merrily: | “La Cucaracha, la Cucaracha, Yo no qui la comana. Pocino tende, pocino valte, Marihuano que fumar.” “Adois,”” waved the girl. ‘““Adios, Senorita,” they responded in chorus, and cantered away. Howard peered down at his Pancho makes trouble for | ears | you, come on over the line, and I'll | forward, | put you up in s | Texas five/ vears ago, and Uncle Jim hired him as a trainer.” “Trainer for what?” “Polo ponies. But, then, it was Dick's idea—to cross thoroughbreds with_mustangs.” \ “Is he, by any chanc¢, Richard | \Vhllon Markley Welling?'"! “How did.you know?"” Howard chuckled in the peculiar- 1y friendly fashoin that seemed to be typical of him. “Well, he was an eight-goal man |in his day —one, of the best in the British service. Dut as I remember, he broke his arm or something- Her eyes were starry with in- terest. “Lost it, Mr. Howard. Taking a | fence—with the Quorn. And he had | to. resign ‘his commission, and—and | —something, went wrong — I don't know what.— he never talks about it. | At any rate, he came out here, and we think he's just splendid. I'm sure Uncle Jim couldn’t get on without him.” “Lucky fellow,™ marked .a - trifle bitterly. “It's a good - degl to be sure people can't get on without you. Byt what's the | cavalcade ?"” Howard re- rescuer, respect and amusement | mirrored in his eyes. “I expect you saved my life," said. “D'you do this sort of thing | often? “Oh, all Pancho's men know me, she answered lightly. Uncle Jim's cattle, and swap- shots with our cowboy but wouldn't touch me. Did you have a | run-in with: Pancho?" “I suppose you might that,” Howard admitted him I was tired of his war—wanted | to try the European brand. Las night I decided to make my get away, while he was near the border. I swiped this horse, | through the picket lines, and made | a break fonit. 1 knew after me as soon as I was missed, but figured I'd give 'em the slip be- fore it got light. He was almost too | smart for me. though.” “Forget that almost,” she re- torted, her hazel eyes twinkling up at his judge of call if character, she analyzed a man who possessed supreme self-confidence. And he was different from the rough soldiers-of-fortune and casual free- lances of the press who constituted the Gringo element in the Mexican armies. Filthy, unshaven, his clothes in tatte.s he still managed to convey an impression of smart- ness. Her gibe he took in good part. sWe'll strike out the almost,” he ascented. “Or rather, we'll sub- stitute ycu for it. I don't care how well you know Pancho, vou took a long chance when you rode into the fire of a valientes. You—just 1e flushed T'm seventeen—that is, almost.” “Ah, we've heard that word be- fore,” he answered, “and my recol- lection is that you failed to approve it." “Anyhow, I'm sixteen,” tested. “I don't voung. The flush spread from the low forehead to the round, brown throat that poised her small head with an effect of buovant gallantry. “I ‘suppose not” he admitted gravely. "I apologize, what is your mame?” I'm Alexandra Marley ‘But didn't ger?” The color in her cheeks bloomed rosily once more, “Dick Welling gave me that name —nickname, really Is it a tribute to a blood- disposition 2" “Oh, no." She pointed to a clump of saffron-brown balls that rose on lks from the crumbling of the ground. “Those she pro- call dagger-plants. | from the saddle, and | her hat above the clump— he saffron balls crumbled into of pollen dust — Mr. Welling — says like that.” fiance in her manner. “Always fly- to pieces when I get excited.” I'm ing of his perg the sign eves belied anner. “A of temper, s —or temperament ah—Dagger—that stands very straight, solemnity wind without bend- | ou're poking fun at me!” I'm not. T applaud Mr. Welling's Who is he Englishman. An He came to tanned, rugged face. No mean | think that's so | | | brie “They raid | have heard the shooting, and they they | morn [t “I told | bunkhause,” | only sneaked | You should see him—trains his own | he'd send | Miss—Miss— | They had crossed the river, and | from the American - bank viewed a ‘ees desairter,” Jose exploded. hc column of .dust careening over the plain. “'Our people,” Dagger announced “Uncle Jim and Dick. must | knewg I s “D'you mean to tell me all that | op are your retainers?" “We bed and feed thirty in the | she replied proudly. “There!"” she pointed at the man nho rode in the van of the column. ‘That's Dick. Watch him ride—and one arm. He still plays. polo. was riding the fence this | niounts cspecially, so he can guide them entirely with his knees.” “Do you play, vourself?” “Dick’s taught me some. Once in | a while we raise teams among the | cowboys, and hit a ball around be- hind the corral. But I never saw a real game.” “By Jove, I'd give anything to feel a mallet spring under my wrist,” Howard exclaimed enthusiastically. “Faney passing in half an hour from banditry to polo! I believe anything could happen here on the border.” *‘Oh, you shall have a game,” she cried. And rising in her stirrups, sent soprano plains. Yeaaaaaay-hoooooo! Dick! Oh, Dick! I've’ found a polo-player for you.' a CHAPTER II NO ORDINARY GIRL The leader of the cavalcade wav- ca a hand in reply, for Howard to see that it was his | only hand. Welling was a slim, bronzed man, his light’ hair burned lighter by the sun, his blue eyes vivid against the tan, the hardness of the expression minimized by a mouth as tgnder as a woman's. “What mischief have you been up to, Dagger?” he hailed. “We heard shots.” “Jose Martinez and a bunch of Villistas were chasing Mr. Howard, here, Dick. That was all.” “All?” There was irritation in Welling's_tone. “If I catch Jose— “I'm. afraid I'm 1esponsible for | the whole business” interposed Howard. Welling glanced-at him keenly. Jose call you Dag- | There was a hint of de-| The twinkle in his blue | L1 But I note, | your | “Been smuggiing?" “Oh, no;” the girl spoke up. “Mr. Howard is a newspaper correspon- dent, and Pancho wouldn't let. him go—'fraid he'd give away their bor- der connections.” “And our friend Jose would have had me cold, if this little lady hadn't appeared,” amended Howard. “I'm promised Mr. Howard polo.” caid Dagger. accommodate him 2" Welling surveyed Howard's rangy. horseman's figure. “Play, do you?" | “A bit.” “Ah! Any particular club?" “Meadowbrook, when I'm home."” The Englishman stiffened in | saddle. ‘Are you Blaine Howard “Guilty, “Couldn’t we at his sir?” admitted Howard “You Welling broke off his remark, then continued with a slight flush: - “You're the nine-goal No. 2, aren’t you?' “I used to be, ard: “I - haven't lately. “Heard of you,.of course,” finally, fiddling® with ' his bridle. “But it's odd to find you 'way down | here.” | “And Dagger. corrected How- played who found him?” “He crowed kneW who you were velp across the | and it was easy | some | [ print over the mantelpiece. | had been accepted by his hosts. much | from all | cordially invited to he said | { accept his i ploit' in the | on as soon as I mentioned you." Welling's flush deepened. “That's an old story,” he de- murred. “I—I don't think we &ver met, Mr. Howard—Bpt forgive rudeness. You must’ feel like bitey’ He waved the. cavalcade forward. “How'd you happen to be in Mex- ico?” he added. And this time §t seemed to Ddg- ger as if it was Howard who stif- fened slightly. “Oh, got tired of civilization,” he said, “and a pal of mine offered me this chance to see how the Greasers fight. But I'm for. France, now. A Dblg, stoop-shomldered old man, whoseleathery features were | adorned~by a ragged, walrus mous- tache, stood in the doorway as the cavalcade approached the Tanch house with Dagger in- the van. “What yew been up to, Dagger?” he demanded. “We heard shootin’ over by the river. “Climb down, Uncle Jim,” she re- torted airily. “I heard shooting and talked Jose Martinez out of working the ley fuga on this gentle- man here, Mr. Howard.” “Yeh?” he drawled, a sardonic glitter in his steel-blde eyes. “Waall, yew'll gst the ley fuga worked on yew one of these days, if yew don't lay off monkeyin' 'with “them Greasers.” “‘Here 'we are, Mr..Marley,” said ‘Welling, as the rest of the riders drew:up. “This is Mr. Howard of New York. I fancy Dagger has told yeu of him.” Uncle Jim offered a -calloused hand. “‘Only 'lowed he wore a Gringo Jose Martinez work the.ley fuga on.” “Indeed, * I owe my life to your niece, "Mr. Marl gaid Howard “Waall, don's’ shoot craps with her or yew'll owe her a damn sight more,” advised the old ranchman. “Come 'in, and have 'a snort of licker, sir. 'Glad to ‘see yew."” “Thank you, Mr. Marley,” replied Howdrd. He studied the wide, low- ceiled room appreciatively, as they entered. It was a man's room, with a¥ saving” impression of feminine in- fluence. No Tranchman, he knew, would have hung ‘that Blue Boy a strange aimed to He glanced again at the slim fig- ure of the girl. Her graceful car- riage 'made her look taller than she was, and the breadth of her fore- head and the candid expression of her eyes were at 0dds With the rose- | bud curves of her child's mouth. | Certainly she was no ordinary child of the plains. You like asked. “I love him! T sent all the way | to New York for him.” “Someday you'll travel,” Howar¢ said. “Perhaps you'll come East and see my collection.” “PerNaps we can persuade Mr Howard to stay a while with us,” suggested Welling. “Shore,” Marley assented. mine to have vew, sir.” “I'm afraid T Howard checked as he perceived the plead- ing light in Dagger's eyes I'd like to stay a few days, it I may “That will be wonderful,” sighed the girl. “Youw've been places, haven't you? You know what world's like—out there.” Marley poured four. glasses of the oily spirits — three sizeable ones, 1loward observed, and one | halt as rull. This last he extended | to Dagger. “Yore good health sir® said the old ranchman, bowing to Howard. “Hear, hear,” assented Welling. “Mr. Howard.” added Dagger, and tcssed off her portion without | blinking. | Howard suspended his own drink. “Say, that—that's whiskey.” Welling.smiled, and old Marley | | remarked dryly: | “Good whiskey don't hurt nobody, | sir. I alwi aimed to bring up | | Dagzer like she wore a boy. Waall, drink up How: With the drooping of the prefixed | | title, the New Yorker realized he He was amazed to discover himself feeling very much at home, as if he had known Casa Blanca and the TFigure 2 in years past. CHAPTER 1IT DAGGER MEETS HER MATCH Howard readily adjusted himself | to the routine of the ranch. He was popular with everyone and especial- Iy Dagger. ) In the beginning she was tempted the Blue Boy%' he “Ad- the | | son, Jr., 16,, t> preen horself, peacock-wise, to | exhibit her accomplishments. But @ bested UR “Horn in, if yuh like, Howard.” “Don’t mind if I do,” assented the New Yorker, droppifg to the floor between the girl anfl a raw- boned Texan called Pete. The other playér was a bland lad from the Panhandle country, familiarly known as Hank. McCarty Held the dice, and threw eleven. “Let it ride,” he said, and threw six. “Cover you, Mac, / snapped Dag- er. 5 “Watch out,” advised the cowb “That there's a gentleman's point. “Meaning who?”~ she retorted. “There’s my. seven. The dice passed won. hoot “Cover Hank. “Taint yore night, feller,” derided Pete, “Pay up.” “Pay up and quit,” Hank.* “I'm just beginning,” Dagger -an- nounced. “I'll shoot twenty.dol- lars.” “Cover you,” replied Howard. Dagger threw a four. “I'4 haye to get Little.Joe with you covering,” she remarked uncon- cernedly. “But Little Joe's lucky for me. Tell you what: I'll double my money. Will you take me?” “That's a dangerous point to double on,” he warned. “Better—" “I know my luck,” she rapped. “Take me?” He nodded, and pushed the pile of banknotes toward her as she threw a pair of deuces. “Leave it,” she bade him. to Pete, who he said. affirmed the you mourned “rn Net it ride.” McCarty stood up. “The game's gittin’ a bit too high for this puncher, folks.” “I'll take five dollars,” Pete prof- fered. “Cover the balance.” ard. g “Holy . gee'” gasped McCarty, “she's got another natural.” “I'm. shooting - fifty dollars this time,” she annoynced. “I don't. want to take all your money,” Howazd ‘demurred. “Nonsense,” she returned furious- ly. “Fifty, now, or nothing.” “Covered,” Howard, assented, without temper. “And me takin' another five it,”” amended Pete. Dagger threw a six, followed by seven. “There you are” she exulted. “That's half the game, drawing down at the psychological moment.” The dice went to Pete. “I reckom I ain’t in yore class, Dagger,” said the cowboy, “but I'll shoot my roll, same bein’ twelve bucks."” ““Covered.” she answered. “Come on, bones,” begged Pete. “Do me right, vew little ivory ba- bies. Aw, hell! Ace 'n deuce. I'm out.” Dagger picked up the dice. “I'll shoot you twenty-five dollars, Mr. Howard,” shé said. “Oh, come on, I thought you were a gambler,” laughed Howard. “Let's have a real stake.” She -blushed furiously. —~"There's four hundred and fif- teen . here,” she scowled. “How much of it will you have.” “I'll shoot you even hundreds.” “Esta bueno!" She rolled an eight. “A little high for a lady's point,” derided Howard. “I'll double it up,” she flashed. “I'll take you for a ride to Deca- tur.” “Right She threw seven. “Looks to me like that lady's point wasn't treating you too fair,” chuckled Howard. “Shoot another hundred ?” She -tossed the bills on the floor, and he made a natural. “Here's another,” she said calmly. He made a second natural. “How much have you got lef;¥* he asked with a grin. “Fifteen dollars.” She got That's my original roll. I quit. | Buenas noches, mis amigos.” (Copyright, 1930, Duffield 'and Company) Is Dagger falling in love with this hero of hers? Read the exciting an- swer in tomorrow's chapter. said How- of up. HE SHOWED 'EM Philadelphia—Frederick William- invented a fire extin- guisher and attempted to sell it. | But no one belicved it would work. A fire started in his home recently | and Frederick gave a practical dem- her so nonchalantly that | onstration of his apparatus, putting her slightly egotistical attitude was | out the fire with it afteff other meth- | soon"discarded for admiration. The metamorphosis began with the polo game staged his second day. of cowboys, he which included ‘both Welling and | Dagger. Welling rode superbly, and Dagger hit accurately, but How- ard was better them ' together. The day after Dagger took hifn down to.the corral, and introduced him to broncho busting. He mount- | ed a half-wild mustang, and in an | hour of frenzied buckings and cur- | vettings never once pulled leather. But what finally won Dagger to superiority was his ex- monthly crap-shooting which ranch. contest, the It was she who | | came stealthily to him that night | after supper, and suggested a stroll in the cool of the evening. “What's doing?" he asked “Skeh! There's a big game at the bunkhouse.” “That's no place for you,' turned, mildly amused “Well, I'll go alone. if you wor't come With me’ Ana honestiy. scmewhat disagreeably: “The boys like to have me.” “I'm sure of that” agreed, . “How Imuch money you?" “Fifteen dollars—and T won't lose A gambler in El Paso, a friend taught me how to finger have “Humph!” Howard commented thoughtfully. “Is that s0?" “I'll make it good,” she answered coldly. “You watch! Dagger's advent house was received sides, at the with greetings and Howard was “sit in"; but he declined. “Ever play®" Dagger asked How- ard over her shoulder, after a time, a hint of patronage in her voice. “Once in a while.” A cowboy named McCarty spoke celebrated payday | | Howard | punk-1| for Howard | water' and Captaining a side | tubes defeated a team ‘ pcured from the jug than the pair of ! | ods failed. The device is simple, canshtmg of a gallon jug filled with baking soda and four sulphuric acid. ‘When the mixture of smothers the flame. CROS! e AND Il-' your little one is irritable and rest- less—there's a reason. Often it's worms. They are much more common than most mothers think. Look also for the following symptoms: pickig the nose rindiang the tecth, cryiog T sleep, offensive breath, [oss of appetite or. wex:hz.. nauses of general resclessness. Any one of these signs may bs your warning that worms are preseat. Wise mothers take no chances with these dangerous and disgusting childhood _pests. 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Scrimmages are expected after the players have be- come hardened to the point where they can absorb incidental thump- ing and pummeling without undue exhaustion. The conditioning will have to be | Harvard meets West Point in the| Crimson's third tussle of the sea- | son and the cadets have been get-| ting the feel of the pigskin since late in August. ’ At the,start of his fifth season as major strategist of the Harvard gridiron coach Horween refused to be optimistic. He pointed out that two tackles, first string men, had gone the way of all graduates, as| had reghlar ends and Wally Har-|§ per of the backfield. Nofgreat help | could be expected of last year's freshman squad, he said. Polish Political Clubs the quarterly meeting of state of Connecticut yesterday Middletown three more_ clubs | branches throughout the state. Meriden, Men’s Suits Dry Cleaned and Pressed 75¢ FUR COAT$ Cleaned and'Glazed ....... Branches: SO THIS IS LOVE? 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