The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1940-08-01
Capetown's Society

tonight" she adcSc, as much as
to saw, That's settled" She lifted
her bicycle from the rock and guild
ed 1t to the highway. Johnny fol-
lowed. In all his life he had never
been so happy.
Molly chatted gaily all the way
back to Capetown, but Johnny
wasn't listening. He was thinking
of the difference between her and
Jean, wondering how they would be
together.
IT want to go by the house first,
to powder my nose" she said when
they reached town.
TT doesn't need powdering, and
I've finished that crossword puz-
igle," he said, wanting to get the
Melton visit over with as soon as
possible.
"In hurry. Remember, have to
put my best foot forward"
He knew she was right about that
and so he said, "I'll leave you at the
corner and go by for a pack OF
cigarets."
"Be ready when you get there"
she called to him.
And she was. She was dressed In
the pink linen and wore the white
huaraches, and her golden hair was
brushed until each silken thread
was separate and alive.
There were crowds Of people at
the Meltons.' They draped in gild-
ers on the porch, lolled in deck
chairs on the lawn. Johnny
squared his shoulders and marched
up the walk, Molly'S hand tight IN
his.
He ran the gamut of introduce
lions, Miss Travers, Mr.. and Mrs.
Mack "Helly, Johnny, Jeans
inside" Miss Travers, Mr..
Enders" "Howdy, pal, glad to
see you, Jean without you is ham
without eggs" Miss Travers, Miss
Lancaster" "Johnny's here.
Find Jean so they can tango"
He clenched Molly's hand. He
knew 1t would be like this. He
should have obeyed his bunch and
waited until the crowd knew where
he and Jean stood. He glanced at
Molly Her head was high.
The lawn at the MeltonS Sloped
down toward the creek. There was a
wharf where a rowboat was tied.
Molly and Johnny walked through
the house and out across the lawn.
From the window he had seen Sue
Melton playing croquet. He hadn't
seen Jean and Rex Arnold were IN
the rowboat, singing at the top OF
their lungs.
Jean Reynolds waved to them.
Johnny saw her motion to Rex to
pull the boat alongside. Sue Mel
ton threw down her croquet mallet
and ran across the lawn, shouting:
Well, Johnny Regain, of all peo-
pile. Now the party can go places.
Jeans been mum as a quahaug
about your whereabouts. And yet I
saw you two sailing that jalopy OF
hers down State street this very aft
ernoon. JEAN" she motioned wildly
toward the rowboat, there he ISL
The situation had Johnny in
wise. He said, "Shut up, Sue. We
have company. Miss Travers, Miss
Melton"
"Hello," Molly said sweetly and
calmly, "Johnny's been telling me
about the grand times you have
here in summer. Tonight is Like a
fraternity house party"
Miss Travers Is with the The
ater," Johnny said, in explanation.
Sues eyes widened. care you
Really? How do you like the Cape?
Don't you just love it?"
Miss Travers nodded. "I'm be-
ginning to. Johnny introduced me
to quahaugs tonight. He dug one
up in the wettest kind of sand"
ooh, Johnny, you didn't" That
was Jean. She came aocross to them
held out her brown hand to Molly
without looking at Johnny. Hello,
I'm Jean Reynolds. Johns told me
all about you"
Not much of q struggle there,
Johnny thought, with relief.
miss Travers, Miss Reynolds.
Molly. JEAN"
why, Jean Reynolds" Sue Mel
ton gasped, looking wildly from
Johnny to Molly and back again to
Jean, "Is this the grip"
For f1eeting instant jeans eyes
met Johnny's Then she turned
away. But not before he had seen
the purple shadows on her lids. Jean
had been crying She had cried and
Sue had comforted her.
Eyes, this is the girl Johnny told
me about" she was saying to Sue
evenly. "And she's just as lovely
as he said she'd bel" Her arm was
around Molly as if she were protect
ing her from Sues malice.
II just adore theater people"
Jean continued, to Johnny's utter
He thought she loathed
actresses. "You must come to tea
on Thursday. I'd like you to meet
some of my mothers friends. Mr..
Earl always is interested in new pa
always is interested in new pa
irons"
THAT would be wonderful" Molly
said, as If hardly daring to believe