The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-06-21
CHAPTER v

Was GuSty really going 10 HoI-
lywood? This question crashed
through Francie's SAUNDERS and sent
her out into the pink, clear morning
before Aunt Hat was awake,
She strolled along the board
walk that led to the small restau-
rant connected with the cabin
camp. Her appetite and her
curiosity gnawed simultaneously,
enormously,
As she entered the restaurant
familiar voice smote her ears,
"0ustyp
He stared at her Francie, slim
In blue Stacks, with cherry-reo
scarf over her amber hair stared
back. Color swept into her cheeks
and her brown eyes flashed,
well, well, so you're still fol-
lowing meP" Gusty said loudly,
"Mep Following your" Francie
bit her lip. I'D say 1t was just
tho other way around"
Dusty winked at the waitress,
"She loves me-" he said, jerking
his head toward Francie.
The proper thing, Francie felt
would be to freeze him with n
glance and depart But she
,culdn't do that Not with simply
lozens OF question buz2ing through
,aer head She choked down her
pride and seated herself at the
counter.
Gusty meanwhile was attacking
O pair OF enormous fried cakes,
Francie, her appetite gone, made
llstless passes mt her waffle,
Gusty finally spoke: Gonna
listen TO me broadcast, Franciep
Maybe ] can get tickets so you
can be In the audience
u happen TO have some plans
OF my own Francie retorted,
'(okay, don't be nasty about II,
lirancie put down her fork,
You're really going to try to get
10 Hollywood"
"Darn right" he declared, you
know, Saturday night after you
tried TO chisel--"
"5--I didntp
"All right, you didn't, Anyhow,
Got 10 thinking, 'dusty,' I said
TO myself, you won't get another
chance like this. What's measly
lb.a.week Job compared with the
big tilne2'"
"Gustyl You - you didn't quit
your job?"
Right, Sugar. Just like that"
But you haven't enough money
TO :" Francie eyed Gusty's
wrinkled slacks and polo shirt. "1'll
bet you slept IN the car"
"sure, why not2 Maybe I am
O little light on the old dopre-mi.
but III make IT," Gusty slid Off
tho stool and stood by Francie.
Come on, Sugar, don't be sore
head. You tried TO get the ticket
I was too smart for you Let's
forget about II and DO friends. !
got forgiving nature"
Francie gasped, but before she
could retort her father and Aunt
Hat entered. Aunt Hat ignored
dusty. Mr., Weston gave him q
friendly clap on the shoulders.
Glad TO see you, son. sup
pose youll be leaving us todayp"
mo, SIR" 0usty grinned. I'm
not pouring the coal TO the old
bus. ! kinda figure I'll stick close
10 you folks-just In case you have
trouble or something"
well, now, that's kind OF you,
Gusty," Mr.. Weston said.
you see, I thought maybe II
you don't need Francie TO drive,
she could ride with me today. We
can meet you wherever you're going
TO stop"
TITS agreeable with me-" Mr.
Weston said, "but at the moment
the jady seems disinclined."
Francie, while they talked, had
swept out OF the door and was
settled In the front seat of the
Weston car. She tilted her nose
skSward as dusty approached.
Come on, Sugar, get In q good
car"
mo. thank you'll"
But IT, no fun riding alone"
Talk 10 yourself" F'rancie adj
vised icily. "You seem TO enjoy
the sound OF your own voice.
Gusty shrugged, moved reluc.
family away. 80 long,
With O sigh, Francle watched
him 90. II was awfu.ly hard 10
b. nasty with dusty. SIZE had to
keep reminding herself Of the
selfish way he had aoted about
the ticket
With Francie driving they soon
ieit 0usty's old roadster behind. In
the back seat, Aunt Hat was curious