The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1940-06-27
Francie Makes a Conquest

Were going 70 see a lot Of each
other, Francie."
'"Are WEI"
Slowly her confidence was re-
turning. At first she had been so
nervous she chartered wildly; then
she had become mute. Now O sense
OF power was driving on her palsy
In spite Of her inept handling Of
the cocktail and cigaret. she felt she
had made an impression. IL
never miss one Of your pictures,
Jerry"
Lots Of people don't" he said.
"Did you read my latest write-up
In Shimmering Screen magazine"
"Oh, yes, 1t was wonderful. Only
the photographs should have been In
color to show OF your hair and
eyes"
THAT'S what I kept telling them.
oh, well, an artist learns TO accept
those things"
Francie said shyly, "Oh, Jerry, I,
well, It's like q dream being here
with you. Tit all happened so
Qnickly I can hardly realize It,"
Jerry accepted this adulation
with q modest gesture that said all
women felt pretty much that way
about Finney,
Francie put food in her mouth,
chewed and swallowed: tasted moth
ing. Presently Jerry looked at his
watch and apologized:
I'm terribly sorry, Francie, but
I have an appointment. I'll run you
back to the hotel"
Jerry's scarlet roadster glittered
with chromium. On either door was
q gold crest with ]. r. In big raised
letters. When they stopped for O
traffic signal, everyone turned 10
look. Engulfed in the leather bucket
seat, Francie felt like a queen. She
threw her head back and laughed
into the sunny, blue sky. Lifel She
was drinking deeply from an over
flowing goblet.
~ can't STOP" Jerry said con-
temptuously as they swept up To
the hotel, 'or the yokesll be
swarming for autographs. Like To
do the Miracle Mile tonight2"
Francie had heard enough about
ttAG MAaCkG 9MAAS w hAAVW ~ az
quired an evening dress. Cant we
Just get acquainted"
about 0, them" he said.
"About O." Francie whispered
ecstatically.
Aunt Hat dubbed >over at
Francie's miraculous conquest, John
Weston accepted the news dourly.
"This Finney may be all right
but I'd like to know more about
him."
"Oh. Pepsi" Francie danced about
the room, cheeks afiame. Hes gor-
geous and q perfect gentleman. And
and just think. Pops, with all the
girls In Hollywood mad about him.
he picked mel"
Hmm, I don't know what to say
Francic."
Aunt Hat cut In sharply, John
Weston, are you going to deprive
the child Of"
an decide this, Hat. You may
20, Francie, but be back by IL"
At $50 Francie was pacing the
veranda. At 10 jerry's roadster
raced into the driveway. "I'm late
Francie, but my valet took the
night of, and I had trouble dress
ing"
He wore O white mess Jacket
Francie thought he was the hand
soonest man she'd ever seen. They
drove along Wiltshire Boulevard past
the glitter Of the Miracle Mile"
I'VE might have drink and o
dance at one of the smaller spots"
Jerry observed with O doubtful
glance at Francie's dress.
Francie thought up quick lie.
lid rather wait till my trunk
arrives, Jerry. It has all my eve.
ming clothes In IT,"
He yawned, "I'm fed up on that
stuff anyway. I'd rather make love
to you, Francie."
Francie locked her hands behind
her head and uttered the boldest
words Of her life: It'd rather
have you, Jerry"
Jerry parked by the ocean,