The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-12-24
cAaT or CHARACTERs
CHAPTER VIII

Linda was mafT1eu 10 6HITy 4IeuC in the little office in a side wing of Judge Baldwin's home. The judge, an elderly bachelor, opened the door for them, himself. Their one witness was Q guest of the judge, Mir. Chad- wick, an Englishman who was leav- ing town to sail for home that even- ing.
 Barry and Linda drove them to the railway station.
 Old Miranda was still in her room when they returned to Trent Hall--dressing for dinner, Jeffer- son said. So they had a few more minutes alone together in the drawing room.
 @Remember, now, what you promised on the way home," Bar " said. "No more worrying to- night. Nothing but happiness
 "Yes," Linda agreed, blinking through her tears, nothing but happiness"
 Happiness when in a few hours he would be gone Sup pose she had to make those few short hours alone together do for a whole lifetime Mustn't think of that At least she would have this evening.
 The telephone shrilled in the hall outside, and Jefferson ap- peared in the doorway.
 "The ai'po't callin, Mistah Bar ry," he announced.
 When Barry came back from the telephone, he closed the doos very softly and stood for a mo- ment without speaking.
 Linda knew one moment oi wild hope that the flight had been called off. Then she saw Barry's face--set and pale.
 He came and took her into his arms before he spoke.
 Set, the good old upper lip, dar- ling" he said more tenderly than he had ever spoken before. "The field just telephoned that they're ready fer me sooner than they expected; and by taking of early this even- iny I'm sure of better flying condi- tions than if I wait That's a good girl - steady! The Duchess is coming"
 Then old Miranda came in, and he'd to be told, too. She took 1t Ike a field marshal.
 "Well," she said with cheer fitness that crackled, "I've al- ways said that if you have a tire some chore to do, the best thing is to get it over with"
 Barry had to leave almost irnfne- diately. He was to pick up some thing to eat and check over his plans at the field.
 Linda had only moment alone with him, while his grandmother wos upstairs on an errand.
 They clung together, and Linda cried softly, Barry, oh, Barry! If you--shouldn't come back! You've said from the beginning that no one could find them"
 That was before I decided to take over the job, myself" he grinned, and loosened her clinging fingers gently as his grandmother limped downstairs.
 Almost before Linda could realize 1t he was gone, calling back over his shoulder, I'm leaving you in IT. tania's care, Duchess-and you girls be sure to have that Christmas tree all set up, ready for me to trim"
 When the last sounds of the de- parting car had faded, Mrs. Trent walked slowly to her chair ano seated herself.
 "You may ring for Jefferson tc set up the card table, Miss Ben- ton," she said. And please dc try to remember that in order tc move four cards, one must have three vacant spaces"
 They played two interminable games of Russian Bank - the old lady as mercilessly alert as ever bouncing like bright-eyed bird with a cracking "Stop!" each time her opponents made a false move; Linda, trying not to think how empty and dead the old house seemed, and to concentrate upon the number of vacant spaces she must have to move her cards.
 At length old Miranda swept the cards together, sorted them deftly, and packed them away in their boxes.
 Suppose we read awhile, Miss Benton she said. You don't seem much interested in your game tonight"
 As a matter of fact, old Miranda did not seem much interested in the reading. Often she halted the brisk click Of her knitting