The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-08-02
Jean Decides To Go Home

you," she told him. You are gay and shining like a knight in a fairy tale with all your talk of white steeds. You are young and it's wonderful to be young. I have't time to be young, or to play. I must work always for what I want most of all" She pushed him away.
 T love you," he told her. Does it seem too sudden? I've saved that expression for the feeling l have for you. Do you think you could ever love me?"
 She was in his arms again, and with a choking sob she was say ing, "Oh, my dear, how wish l had time for love; it would be so easy to let it happen to us. But I haven't time. The theater's in my blood, the way the Cape is in yours. Please, can't you under stand?"
 Johnny couldn't understand. But the theater's so unreal. The Cape is real. The lines you say on the stage are something trumped up to stir an audience. If you're not careful, this play-acting will strip you of the capacity for any real emotion"
 She answered dreamily as if remembering something, Perhaps it already has. That's why it's not safe to love me-" She shook off the mood. Good night, dear est Johnny. And thank you - for everything"
 She kissed him lightly. and ran up the walk and into the house before he could answer. Jean was wrong. Molly was sincere and honest. What other girl would have admitted that loving her wasn't safe? But it would be safe for him, and he would make her love him back, If 1t took all sum- mer.
 The sun shone on Cape Cod and in Johnnys heart. Molly often stopped by on her way to and from rehear- sal, but there were no more picnics. This was the last week before the opening and Carter Earl was work ing the daylights out of his cast. Then suddenly sine ceased com- ing by. He looked for her at the stage door and even went by num- Der 43 Cottage street. All to no avail, she said she was too busy to see him.
 He assumed that Jean Reynolds had left the Cape entirely. That, to, was for the best. And then, one Saturday afternoon he came back from lunch to find her vel. low roadster parked in front or his shop. Try, as he would, he was unsuccessful in scuttling the pleasure he felt at knowing she was near.
 Hello, Johnny" she hailed him when he approached. "knoW where we could borrow an old lamp?"
 "What do you want with an old lamp?" Who was he, Aladdin? That was the cue on which Molly had entered his life, and now Jean.
 "I'm helping MT. Earl on props for this show. He believes a per- son who knows everybody down here can do better than some member of the company. And so far I've had wonderful luck. Look"
 She drew the list of properties from her pocket and he noted the checks by nearly every item. "Just like the treasure hunt only you feel it's much more lmpor- tant."
 you had me going for 8 min- ute. The first time Molly came in here she asked for an old lamp. Naturally I thought you were rib- ping me. Tell me, now that we are speaking. what kind of an actress is our girl friend?"
 Jean got out of the car and &C., companied him to the shop.
 Molly is a swell actress she told him. But, Johnny, she be- gan and then stopped, "are you still that way about her?" she asked almost shyly.
 I'm afraid so, Jean, only more so" He offered her cigaret and took one himself. T haven't seen much of her lately. Earl's been riding them pretty hard"
 Jean walked over and found a scallop shell to use for an ash tray. Her back was to him when she said, "The lead is here. Andre Masters. He is veddy, veddy found of your Molly"
 Johnny went across and turned her around. Still gripping her shoulders, he asked, "Is that why I haven't seen much of her? He's giving her 8 whirl, you mean?"
 Jean took his hands from her shoulders. She turned away from the misery in his face. Then she wheeled swiftly.
 Johnny, I came by to tell you that I'm going back to Boston"
 Johnny didn't answer for a min- ute. Molly had left him for Mas ters. Masters could get her some where in the theater. Automati- cally he began to rearrange his window display.