The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-03-03

now vacant aud McDougail appro- priated 1t.
 T didn't have a chance to thank you for the sketch," said Marcia.
 "I'd like to do another--a gayel one, said NcDougall, and ther stopped short. That s--"
 He was patently at a loss 10, words, but the plane door wal opened at the moment and tho two pilots climbed in.
 There's a farmhouse not far back where you can all be com. fortable for 8 while" the chiei announced T hope you won't be delayed long. I'll make immediate efforts to have you on your way but in the meantime there's 8 warm house for you to wait in plenty of room for all"
 The farmohuse, the passengers found after trudging through the deep snow for Q weary distance was the spacious home of an el- derly couple who, far from being embarrassed by this invasion, well comed 1t as a pleasant interlude, More food was forthcoming for the crowd of guests, and a cheer- ful log fire.
 All indeed, that they could de- sire, with the exception that the storm which had forced them down had also put the telephone line out of commission and blocked the roadsl
 The morning papers on the break fast tables of Bobbs Neck carried the news that a plane from Chicago was hours overdue and unreported 'Awkins, the Garfield butler, read the news story over his coffee, with no great interest until he glanced down the appended list of passen- gers, as announced by the air line. Miss Marcia Garfield of Bobbs Neck"
 'Awkins was not an alarmist He discussed with himself the matter of sending wire to Mir. Garfield in Florida, and decided hkduloL lL' rOt OtlC GilAlb' WI : Garfield would probably read the same news in Florida paper; If he did not, 'Awkins diSlil:ed the idea of worrying him pending re- ceipt of more definite word. Therefore, he contented himself although l. did not suffice to allay his own anxiety with telephon- ing the air line in New York and asking that any news be rclayed to h.m immediately.
 During the day hc was kept buy anE"eaing ti.a telephone; l; frie .iGs of the Canhcids called con- stantly to ask for news.
 Helen W2ddcll's anxiety, al- though shared by many in the vil- lagc, wes especially acute. She felt that she had sent her friend on the trip that had ended, for all anyone knew, to the contrary, in disaster.
 There was rehearsal that night for "Half-Acre In Eden" and Helen mechanically prepared to attend, disliking to do 50 at the moment of possible tragedy, but knowing she could accomplish nothing by remaining away.
 It was a futile rehearsal. AL though someone was found to read the lines of the absent Marcia, no one could put much spirit into the enterprise. The east went through its routine half-heartedly, and Mrs. Henderson, the director, dis missed the members earlier than usual when she saw that the even ing was being wasted
 But this did not disperse the players. Hoping, in the face of uncertainty, for the best, and fear ing the worst. they remained in the auditorium and discussed the possibilities.
 What asked someone, was Marcia doing in Chicago, anyway She must have gone out there very suddenly. l hadn't heard of her going"
 Dorothy Osborn had restrained herself during the entire day while the village buzzed with the news, but she could not hold back any longer.
 "As matter of fact" she said "I saw her leaving. IL was at the station day before yesterday, when she was catching 6 train to the city.
 II hate to say 1t, # anything has happened to her-although I don't see any reason for not telling the truth--but she told me distinctly she was going to Schenectady. Now. why should she lie about it? I've been thinking 1t over, and I'm willing to bet there's more to 1t than meets the eye. My guess is that it mad something to do with Frank Kendrick!"