The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-08-08

red glow of the sInouldering theater.
Jean had said that Molly was IN
terested In Masters. Was Shef
Johnny would find out. Then ne
would know Just where he stood with
her. Did she love him or the
cameo?
AZ the Blue Whale he ordered
breakfast, then telephoned the Mel
tons to ask about Jean.
"Jean's q lot better, and you two
are heroes. I'm tired Of answering
the phone and hearing people praise
you, too, Johnny Regain, when /
know Jean did most Of It,"
"Still love me to death, don't you,
Sue2 Well, tell Jean I'm glad she's
better"
Johnny bolted his breakfast and
went around to AZ Cottage street.
Miss Travers and Mr.. Masters
left early this morning for Dennis"
whats the big idea?" Johnny
wanted to say. Then he remem-
bered that Molly couldn't have found
him II she had wanted to. He was
dead asleep in his garage, and she
had never been there. What time
will they be back?"
Back about supper time, they
said"
Johnny thanked them and went to
while away the four hours interven-
ing at the Meltons'.
Jean came across the lawn to
meet him. She waved her boxing
gloves" want to fight?" she asked
him.
Everyone was talking about the
fire. Johnny didn't answer them.
He dropped on the grass beside Jean
and they watched croQuet game
What did Molly say when you
told her I'd given you the cameo?
thought at least she'd call to thank
me for my belated generosity"
"She and Masters have gone te
Dennis. I just got up" he finished
hoping to close the subject. He
wished she wouldn't talk about
Molly.
Masters could help her a lot ir
| the theater. He knows everybody.
"She calls him wedge" John.
ny said, chewing blade Of grass
Hes not as hipped on the the.
alter as she is. mean he can Al
least talk about something else. He!
crazy about antiques. He was vile
about every old piece I got for thu
set"
molly says he's particularly font
of old jewelry," Johnny said idly
Johnny" Jean said, you dom
suppose Molly plans to use m!
cameo to get something out Of Mas
ters?"
"Of course not, silly. Been read
ing melodrama?"
She laughed, too, then, and pu
one hand, bandaged to elephantin'
size, on his. "Ill miss you, John
ny, after you and Molly are mar
RED" -
Johnny took the hand in his. HI
held 1t tenderly., I'm going to ge
your cameo back for you, Jean.
haven't seen Molly yet, that's VIII!
I haven't 1t with me now"
He had a pleasant afternoon, ly'
ing on the lawn beside Jeans decl
chair. 1t was nearly twilight whe1
he decided to go home.
Miss Travers isn't back yet" ~
was told at Molly's boarding house
He decided to wait.
He sat In the porch swing and be
gan a crossword puzzle. How loni
ago it was that he had first sat her
waiting for Molly? He remembers
the feverish excitement and enthu
siasm with which he anticipated
that first date. Love was a fever
Love was :" he had caught him
self thinking. Was 1t possible tina
the fever was over? How easily h,
had slipped back into his relation
ship with Jean.
His pencil was making httl'
squares on the paper. He was ini
tialing the squares. JRR. he wrot
and under that, Jean Reynolds Re
gan. /
When Masters green roadste
drew up at the curb, Johnny jumps
the railing and ran down the walk
Molly was lying back against tn
cushion. She was more lovely thai
he remembered her.
"Have a good timer" he asked.
1--WE missed you last night" Mol
said accusingly. Where were you?
IT went home and went to bee
Slept till noon. Why didn't you te
me you were going?"
Molly shrugged. Didn't want I
interrupt your dreaming. AL bust
ness"
Masters took a cigaret from
fooled leather case and said: Beau
tiful scenery up the Cape. QUAR-
little town, Dennis. I'm to pla
there week after next"
"And, Johnny, :"
"Must be going, my dear" Master
interrupted. mice day"
He leaned over to start the mote
; and Johnny opened the door Il
; Molly to get out. But in that brit
moment johnny understood some