The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1933-11-22
forgotten SWEETHEART

a hustle OF excited preparations.
The embroidered bedspread which
had been made when Mrs War
ing's eyes were younger and had
been used only for very special
occasions was brought from the
scented depths of an oldtfashioned
cedar chest. The floor of Joan's
room was given an extra shine
with the oiled mop and the gar
den was shorn OF most OF the late
summer blooms. A blue vase which
Joan priced was filed with BIOS
SONS and placed on the table near
the window. A mild. sweet wind
stirred suffled curtains.
At last, Mrs Warning stepped
back. surveying the bedroom. ut
loks sweet enough for anybody"
she decided, satisfied.
Downstairs she found Stella,
busy at cake-making Precipitation
standing out on her good-natured,
brown face. A spicy aroma was
in the air.
Stella, little awed by Mrs
Warnings tales of Joan's triumphs,
had undertaken to show the full
extent of her culinary talent in
honor of miss Joan"
Stella had done the marketing
and the chicken Mrs Warning had
spoken of had miraculously be-
come turkey. There were to be
five vegetables, a salad, home
made ice cream and - as final
triumph-a huge white cake.
AS stella enumerated all this
Mrs Waring gasped. But she was
pleased to have Stella enter into
the spirit of the occasion. "They
don't have real food in New York
restaurants" Stella said. THAT
child's hungry"
She added "Mis' Waring, I was
reading the cards to-day. The first
thing I turned up two cards -
queen of clubs - that's the light
headed young man who was here
for dinner one night
Mrs Warning smiled, but shook
her head. Stella meant Robert
Weston. Mrs Waring had not
thought of him for a long while.
Bob had passed completely from
the picture. Joan must have for
gotten him a long time before.
tits train time, Benny" Mrs
Warning called.
Ill Bully put Ills
head in the door, his unruly hair
smoothed down by extra brushing.
His mother. smiled at him. She
was eager to see Joan when her
eyes fell upon Benny. looking so
much strongber. 1t would make
Joan so happy to see Benny walk
ing toward her with his shoulders
back, his face tanned from being
out of doors.
They found Bill and Sara at the
station, waiting for them. you'll
never guess who just passed by"
Sara said. "Dick Thornton and
his bride! They were married
this afternoon and are leaving on
a two weeks honeymoon"
''Dick married." Mrs Waring
exclaimed.
Eyes. 1 told him Joan was COM
ing in on the New York train and
he said to give her his regards.
The girl he married is cute lit
tie thing but really not in Joan's
class"
Mrs Waring was silent. Dick
Thornton had been so constant, so
devoted to Joan for years. Some
how she had counted on renew
al of that romance now that Joan
was coming home. Disappoint-
ment clouded for moment her
excitement over her daughters
home-coming.
"Joan's been foolish" Sara
was saying complacently. Men
don't hang on without encourage
ment while girls play around and
have careers. There's always
some other girls waiting to grab
a good catch like Dick"
Joan probably wouldn't have
| looked at him." Mrs Warning said
But her spirits were dampened
Dick was one of the towns most
promising young doctors.
"Well, if Joan doesn't look out
she'll be AN old maid" Sara re-
piled.
"No girl as pretty as Joan
would ever be an old maid" Ben
ny spoke up with spirit.
The laugh that followed broke
tension. And then they heard
the train coming. They saw Joan
walking toward them, looking
very smart in her blue suit. Look
ing thinner. too. And tired.
ITO Re COntjnucdl