The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-02-06
BILL QUITS THE ARMY
CHAPTER XVIII

Grill looked up with what was for him stark bewilderment. An expen- sive gray car squealed to stop at the curb outside. In the red and blue glare of the huge neon sign, the two girls who crossed the side- walk looked ghastly. Their lips were blush, their faces pale, neither of them wore hat. And they sprint ed into the cafe as if the police were behind them. The bartender put down the glass he'd been pol- ishing and reached up to turn of the burdling radio,
 "What can I do for you, ladies?"
 The redhaired one-she was pret- ty even though she looked as if she'd been through a steam wringer- asked quickly, "Was soldier in here tonight? A tall soldier with dark curly hair? He-he might have been very tight. ."
 The bartender shook his head. 'No, ma am. Not that I know of. We had couple of sailors" He called to stout waiter at the other end of the room, Louie, you see soldier in here tonight? A soldier about three sheets in the wind?"
 "No soldiers in here tonight!" Louis called back. Last night, but not tonight
 "Thanks,' said the blond girl, curtly, Come on, Martha. Bill hasn't been anywhere we used to go together, and if he hasn't been in any of the places around here, the only thing that's left is to search the joints on South street."
 The bartender wiped a small space fin front of him with sudden vigor. "Look, ladies, If was you, I would- mt go messing around no South street after no soldiers this time ot night"
 But the two girls paid no atten- tion. They ran back out to their car and started of with grinding of gears. Had the bartender but known it, it had been like this in 0 succession of cafes and bars and grills all over town.
 At 4:30, Martha and Suzanne came out of the last smoky joint on South street. And still they hadn't found him. Suzanne said, seWeVe been everywhere. Bill must nave taken g. room somewhere and gone to sleep!"
 Maybe he went back to camp" Martha said. Suppose he-he went back t-tight?"
 Best thing he could have done. But have a feeling he didn't go. Listen, we're quitting now. Stay with me tonight. In the morning, we can phone the camp. If he's not there, we'll start looking again" She saw the expression on Martha's face, and shook her gently. Please, Martha! There's nothing else we can do tonight"
 But in the house on Stratford road, Martha couldn't sleep. She tossed restlessly on the bed in the pretty guest room. Where was Bill? What was he doing now? Almost she prayed that Suzanne was right that Bill was drunk somewhere, sleeping 1t of.
 With the first streak of gray in the dawn sky, Martha got up. Re- Veille was at 5:30. They'd answer the phone at the camp now.
 T want to talk to Private Mar shall" she told the gruff male voice. I'm sorry to call at this hour, but it's terribly important"
 ''It's very irregular" said the voice, uneasily. "I1l have to ask she adjutant."
 After a while, a more authorita- five voice said, Hello. Lieutenant Gresham speaking. What is it?"
 "This is Mrs. Marshall" Martha explained. Mrs William Marshall. I'd like to speak to my husband, Private Marshall" She gave the number of his company and be- cause she couldn't think of any thing else. she added the name of the top sergeant with whose wife she had become acquainted.
 T see," said the voice, in a tone which carried no understanding whatever. Wait just a moment, please" Then there was another silence. A longer silence, this time.
 Martha bit her lip. and scrawled nervously on the message pad with the little gift pencil.
 Mrs. Marshall?"
 | "Yes, yes"
 ''Mrs. Marshall, I wonder if you could indicate the nature of your message" In the cautious phrases. Martha sensed an element of sur- prise and of suspicion.
 Whats the matter? Isn't he ehere?"
 Did you expect him to be here?" ehe voice asked.
 She didn't know what to say. The voice went on, holding steely note now, 'If this Is Mrs. Marshall, the commanding officer thinks 1t best