New Britain herald., 1929-10-09
THE SHIP GOSSIPS

"hestra. It began as whispered ru- nor which grew in force, as the facts became known, until it domi- hhted the conversation everywhere; on the decks, in the lounges; it even penetrated to the kitchens
 Cora Trenton-Jones found her Se4t the center of an eager, ques- uonlhg mob who invaded her state room before she even had time to dress herself All through the |, morning they came, in a never ending stream, Barbara herself be- ing the first.
 Mrs. Trenton-Jones had returned .. 70 the ship very late the preced- Ing night, tired out, her head dizzy with the names of various hotels 10 which Henderson had dragged her. Having given her steward instructions not to call her in the morning she still was asleep when Barbara stole into her cabin and rugged her awake.
 "Trenty darling" she murmured, I'm so happy"
 Mrs. Trenton-Jones' eyelids flut- tered fainty, then she tried to re- 5ume her sleep, but presently, raised herself
 'Is that any excuse for waking ne out of a perfectly good sleepy" she demanded. Then, with the mem- ory of yesterday unpleasantly vivid in her mind, she added grossly Anyhow, you've no right to be happy" Barbara opened her eyes and purrcd lnnocently. "But why?"
 And Cora Trenton Jones launch ad into graphic and realistic de- 4 scription of all she had suffered the previous day. Barbara was rocking herself to and fro with laughter.
 The older woman regarded her in hurt and angry silence.
 You might tell me what you were doing yesterday.'
 T was getting married" Bar Dara announced calmly"
 Getting married? For the Lords sake whom have you mar ried? ?"
 Ray Lowther,'
 Ray . whom? Never heard of him."
 You've heard him anyhow, rrenty he's the saxophonist in the orchestra" The saxophonist " weakly, you're, you're joking, Barbara Honest, I'm not look here ." and she held out her slim platinum wedding band. At that Cora Trenton Jones col Iapsed.
 Wed have invited you 10 the ceremony if we'd thought you'd be so pleased about it." Barbara mur- mured swectly Wish me luck. l old dear I'm off now to see to my packing. We're getting off at Southampton" She walked towards the door and, with her hand on the knob. added, "You better go on with this tour, Trenty. You're a sweet thing, but hardly necessary on honey Inoon." And with that she was gone be- fore Cora Trcnton-Jones had recov- SiN' otl iNIculIS lO ulltT d WOTu. Ralph Henderson was the next to disturb her. He arrived simul- taneously with the steward, bear ing an immense box of candy. Mrs. Trenton-Jone considered that she needed it to help her withstand the shock of Barbara's announce ment. She knew that she would be blamed for Barbara's latest esca- pade; the girls relatives would be furious. asking how she could have let such a thing happen under her very nose. She felt uncomfortably aware that she should have taken more | interest in Barbara's affairs, but, | to do so would have necessitated energy and energy of any kind Cora Irenton-Jones deplored Be- sides, she had not thought Barbara interested in any man on board unless it were the Britisher, If only it had been the Britisher she reflected bitterly. He, at least | had title in the offing to exchange for Barbara's wealth. They could not have blamed her so much for that-but penniless fellow in the | orchestra. Ralph Henderson's face was a mottled red as he stood angrilv | chewing his under lip whilst he waited for the steward to with draw. What's this I hear about Bar bara having married that saxo- phonist?' he burst out, directly the cabin door was closed.
 Mrs. Trenton-Jones sighed. She | felt better after a walnut cream, I'm afraid it's true"
 Great Heavens!" he spluttered 1 "You sit there and tell me it's true. | Sit there and calmly munch | chocolate creams" "One must live" she told him | mildly, as she put the largest she | could find into her mouth. Three | hundred calores at least-but I l feel the better for it." she an | nounced to herself.
 He went on needless of her inter- ruption.
 Without doing anything to pre- vent it."
 What can one do now?"
 Damned if I'll believe he's a