The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-01-07
CHAPTER XVIII

Welp'-Barry laughed-"as 6 natter of fact, that plane dropped Into my lap just as I was scrambline ashore and trying to shake the Caribbean out of my ears and eyes The pilot, who was the manager oi Q chain of German coffee planta- tions, noticed my ship in the waves and came down to reconnoiter.
 "As I don't speak much German, and his English wasn't any too flu ent, it wasn't easy to make him see just how badly I needed his plane. I dropped Linn at one of his planta- tions, refueled and stocked up with provisions, and hoped along. Fortu- nately the plane had radio"
 "Oh, say" the announcer cut in, "then it could have been your sig nals that amateur in Texas was picking up."
 Probably was," Barry said. we had some talk with someone up there after I stumbled on the Au- relius outfit, while we were trying to grub out a clearing for me to take of from"
 Barry was obviously very tired, and they finally let him go.
 When it was over, old Miranda blew her nose vigorously three times before she said, well! I suppose we'd better go about getting an- other Christmas tree set up. He ought to be here about day after tomorrow. We're going to be busy"
 They planned for hours. Then they sat, just talking. When they finally looked at the clock and got up to go to bed, old Miranda said with what would have been a giggle in any one else, DO you know, I'd almost forgotten how restful it is to have another woman around. You can't really-er-let down your hair, I believe, is the modern idiom-with 8 man. The creatures just don't have any hair to let down.
 Barry's broadcast proved real nuisance in the end. The airport and several friends had called to de- liver his message almost before the radio was turned off that night Next day they were flooded with telephone calls and visitors. Miss Chattam was one of the first.
 Well" she said to Linda, you and Barry have given this town a surprise. Of course, I guessed there was something in the air but l must say, Miranda pale, gim- let eyes probed old Miranda's face you are a maStermind at keeping secret. Let's see-just when were they married? Why, almost two weeks ago it must have been! To think of your harboring a TO- nance like that under your root for two weeks, and never giving sign even to your oldest friends"
 But if Miranda Trent were dis concerted by the implication her face was inscrutable.
 "After all." she said tartly, If my grandson and his wife thought It better not to make any announce ment until his return, I fail to see wfy the whole town should be con- cerned."
 Rita Blanchard had a telegram inviting her to Florida this morn ing," Miss Chattam ran on with ap- parent irrelevance. well, I guess she needs trip. She didn't look any too brisk when I saw her at the postoffice this morning. ., That reminds me, Miss-Mrs. Trent"-she turned to Linda-"Rita saw that singer who made such a hit at one of the night clubs in the city-'Sil- via,' she called herself-and Rita said she'd have sworn it was you knowing how beautifully you do sing, and that you were out Of town just then. I hear she's not singing there any more. Oh, well, some people will believe anything" She Uttered placatingly and clattered on, By the way, Miranda, how are you going to announce the mar riage?"
 T should say" replied Barry's grandmother dryly, considering the airing the whole episode seems to be getting the only competition we could offer would be the daily news papers" Her eyes snapped wickedly. Don't miss the morning paper, Lydia"
 When Miss Chattam had finally
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