The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-12-05

Janice's face, as he had left her that morning, rose before him. She had looked tired in spite of an ala ways ready smile. The children kept her at home rather closely. Per- haps he hadn't been as cheerful of late as he used to be. He should have stayed with the children more often and let Janice slip out a bit. The station was crowded with a homeward-b throng of work CTS and shoppers. A group of chat- tering girls passed. Then group Of Boy Scouts in uniform. They were only little larger than Sonny. Sonny had been asking to join the Scouts after his next birthday.
 Some friends of his and Janice'a were at the ticket window. He hoped they wouldn't notice him. They would be sure to ask where he was going. They were both laughing. The Hendersons always seemed happy--had fine son, too.
 A couple attracted his atten- tion. The man was neighbor of Sidney's; had a studio close to his. John had met him several times but hadn't noticed him particularly
 
 too close a shave. Under close scrutiny he had heshy, overin- dulged appearance. His trousers must have been made by an expert tailor to fit so we'll over his water melonlike abdomen. His creams colored spats over the shiny black shoes were almost an echo of his pasty face over the heavy black overcoat. John could see that his shirt collar wasn't quite clean.
 He couldn't recall ever having seen the fussily dressed little wo- man who was the mans compan- ion. Wiry blond hair fiuffed be- meath her tight little hat in an untidy abundance. Her checks flushed unnaturally, bloom mani- festly applied by middle age in a wistful effort to recapture some- thing of a youth long past. Her eyes were on the mother with the two small children. Tt seemed to John that they wore a hungry look.
 The man spied John and croweds Hello, old thing! Going our way?" He stood smiling expect antly.
 A hurricane of impressiona swirled through Johns brain: The stuffy train with this smirking fool praying in his ear-suggestive jokes-Sidney's studio, with a whole bevy of soiled Bohemians like this one-loud colors, loud music-nosy, opinionated voices-- too much wine-old women trying to be young, young women who looked old before their time
 John spoke with sudden convic- ton. "No," he told the man. I'm going home"
 The rain had stopped falling when John climbed aboard the suburban electric. The sky had cleared and changed from a smoky blue to soft rose.
 Alighting, he turned down a short, orderly street with rows Of small bungalows. fronted by tiny lawns on either side. He was carrying a bulky package.
 As he opened the back door Of one of the tiny bungalows Janice, a sweet-faced young woman in a fresh print dress greeted him. His two immaculate children gleefulIy clasped him about the knees. The spicy odor of gingerbread filled the room. A fluffy gray cat was drink ing milk from a saucer under the table set for four.
 John held out the package to Janice, whose eyes frightened and grew moist with tenderness as he ] said:
 "Hyacinths. For the swellest pal in the world" Copyright 1884. The Chicago Daily 1
 News, Inc.
 Tomorrow: Happy Venture, P by Glenn Reilly, Is an account of the strange climax of a modern treas- ure hunt through the ancient haunts of Captain Kidd.