The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-06-16

theater."
 Tommy's jaw was not the kind that drops open. but he did look as blank as a stucco wall for 8 minute. Here was one catastrophe that he had never thought possible even though his trust in his uncle was not deep. Instinctively he looked for the dark side where George Hoffman was concerned. A number of times since his uncle had persuaded him to put his money in bad securities Tommy had thought of what Beryl said broke up the elopement with Irene by her crazy attempt at Kidnapping. He hadn't differed with her much then, though not admi t gniti t,dna then, though not admitting 1t, and he had forgotten to be cautious with his uncle it was because his mind was preoccupied with Irene. Now if he'd lost his job he could expect no help from Hoffman.
 "How about the theater?" he asked hoarsely.
 "It will be torn down, naturally" |" his uncle replied.
 Tommy gulped. "And you're not moving to some other building :? You're giving up the Palace :. {. altogether"
 older man declared. "It was the fin- est show house on the North Shore once upon time. But the industry and the times have moved too fast for it. It had to go."
 "Yeah?" Tommy retorted. "Yet you thought 1t had enough juice left in 1t to be worth the sacrifice of & college education. You talked a lot about keeping it abreast of the times-giving snappy shows to make up for uncomfortable seats and all that sort of thing. And all the time you had it on the market for sale. Just playing me along, were you? You knew you couldn't get a. show man who was worth his salt to come out here and handle it.''
 MT Hoffman bristled. "T told you I'd take care of you he rejoined indignantly.
 | Tommy jeered at him. It was rash. but honest. "You know where am with Irene." he accused. you know I took this job because she wanted me to. We'll, what am l go, ing to do now? No job, no money.
 "She'n wait for you," MT Hon. man encouraged, and Tommy teie like punching him on the jaw:
 "while I do what?" he mocked. Again Hoffman bristled. "You're damned impertinent," he declared ;n self-defense. Don't forget, vounp fellow, that the Hoffmans have done a lot for you" "Is that so?" Tommy retorted. "Well, just you remember that my Aunt Emma wasn't Hoffman until she married you. And she did a lot more for you than she did for me with money that wasn't Hoffman money, either"
 His uncle got to his feet, red In tho face. "If that's how you feel about it." he answered hotly, T guess you won't want the job I've got for you, but don't come Whin- ing around to me when you see what a fool you've been." "I'Il come whining around to you when I've more good money 10 throw after bad," Tommy told him. His uncle strode out of the room' muttering something about un- grateful puppies. Tommy grabbed his hat and leit the mousse. L10 OAu AAoe 6~ NAA wy | to the Everetts' but walked a few blocks out of his way to cool off before seeing Irene.
 He couldn't cool so he gave up that attempt and went to tell her his troubles. Irene was delighted not delighted because Tommy had such bad luck but because shed found 1t out before making a de- cision between her two suitors. | "Oh, Tommy, that's too bad!
 Irene said, and the way she said it was like a dash of cold water in Tommy's face. What came next was worse than he had feared. 'Now we can't be engaged any longer!"
 "Engaged!" he repeated. "Say' Irene, we're going to be married in less than a week. You can't break this off like a mere engagement!
 Don't be silly" Irene protested. ''IIow coulud we go on with 1t! You can't support me now.
 Tommy made a tremendous effort and swallowed his pride. "Once you said yourself that you could get a job and take care of yourself until I was out of college" he re- minded her. "It would be just the same as it is now only" ..
 "Only that it's quite different"