The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-12-28
CHAPTER I

Tt is hoped" the announcer said, "that Captain Trent will make Q safe landing in time to es. cape the unreasonable tropical storm which is sweeping westward across the Caribbean"
 As Linda came downstairs next morning, Jefferson entered the din- ing room with the morning mail.
 Telegram for you, Miss Linda" he said, beaming broadly.
 The message read simply, "Be sure to see that the Duchess be-. hayes herself, Barry"
 Old Miranda had one, too. She read 1t aloud. Don't forget the Christmas tree. And how about chestnuts for stufiing?"
 Then she picked up the morning paper. As sine scanned the head. lines. her fingers frightened on the sheet Linda, standing just behind her, shamelessly read the lines over her shoulder:
 CAPTAIN TRENT THOUGHT
 FORGED DOWN - RADIO
 ELLEN
 AS Linda stood there, the back Of her hand tight against her quiver. ing lips, the old lady looked up, and for Q Inement their glances clung together in mute question.
 Then Mrs. Trent said briskly, You may bring the coffee, Jefferson"
 Presently she stirred from her Si- lent thoughts to say again, You're not eating your breakfast, Miss Ben. ton. We shall have Q full day. Among other things, I should like you to see that the Christmas tree is properly placed"
 "The Christmas tree9" echoed Linda blankly.
 Then she remembered Barry had said he would be back to trim the Christmas tree.
 And over my dead body" his grandmother's eyes said now, "let any one suggest that he may not"
 Nevertheless, when they rose from tho table, Linda did venture to Sug- gesk, Shall I-would you like me to call the airport? Perhaps they may have some news!
 Certainly notl" snapped Miranda Trent. Don't you suppose they have anything to do but answer foolish questionST
 An instant later she added more kindly, You see, my dear Miss Ben. ton, I have become somewhat inured to this kind of crisis. My husband went through the Spanish. American War; my son, Barry's father, was in France. As for Captain Trent, he has been reported lost more times than I can recall"
 Yet, although the old lady made a brisk show of going about her daily business, Linda noticed that each time the telephone rang. she gtifIened, and her eyes closed for a moment.
 All that day and the next re- ports continued to come iri-confiict. ing. confusing, agonizing. The in" formation was all the more vague because the storm that had rav' aged the Caribbean had cut oil the usual sources of information, sent coast wise ships to shelter, ana grounded air trafiic.
 Linda went around In q walking nightmare-too numk and dazed 10 cry Her nights were hideouS with dreams-- Barry in A storm- tossed plane, flying blindly; Barry crashing, his ship bursting into flames; Barry's dead white race floating on a black sea.
 It was not until the morning oi the third day that the airport called with something definite. Linda aii' swcred the telephone. When she suggested summoning Mrs. Trent the man at the other end of the line broke in hastily:
 Wait You said you were Mrs. companion. didn't you? Wei, why don't we give you the nleSsaee and let you use your own Judgment about the best way to tell herr"
 When the man had told her what he had to tell, Linda hung up the receiver as carefully as if 1t had been made of fragile glass.
 Sooner or later, old Miranda naa said, a last time comes to the best of them. ,r.
 slowly she made her way upstairs