The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-07-02
Ticket to
Hollywood


Continued From Page ~
that. II YOU ask me, Frsncie. The
bov hasn't much money. He must
be pretty sure that tickets or the
level"
But he hasn't Aunt Hat
drifted into silence.
Francie could see her aunt's face
in the rear view mirror, II vat
puckered with thought. Tonight,
she promised herself. she would
tell Aunt Hat the truth. But
what if there was still a chance
Of getting the ticket from Gusty?
II was a wild. impossible idea, yet
she couldn't rid herself OF II.
They saw no more of Gusty until
noon when he pulled alongside Of
them at A roadside barbecue.
Gusty was accompanied by a
shabby man whom he proudly in
troduced az "Blubber.n
Blubber. a squat. broad indi-
vidual with a butterv complexion,
had marble-round eyes that rolled
shiftily away from the directness
Of MI. Weston's gaze.
Hes thumbing to Amarillo"
Gusty explained with a triumphant
look in F~raneie's direction. And
is he swell companvt'
7 can imagine" Aunt Hat said
dryly.
Hes a musician, too, aren't
you. Blubber? p"
Sure, kid. Let's eat"
Hes good on the old gittar. all
right Gusty went on. Tonight
were having a little Jam session.
How about it. Blubber -"
Blubber's rolling eyes came TO
rest on Aunt Hats two-carat soli-
taire. He nodded dreamily. Sure,
kid, a jam session. Let's cat"
Gusty and Blubber moved to the
counter. Mr.. Weston bent toward
Franeie, spoke in a whisper:
"Francie, I want to get Gusty
away from that fellow without
arousing his suspicion. In a few
minutes you call him outside
But, Pops, I don't"
"Francie"
When John Weston used a cer-
tain tone, neither Francie nor
Aunt Hat ever argued with him.
A moment later Francie obeyed,
and Gusty followed her outside.
Decide TO give yourself a break
and be friends ?" he asked.
Il have not" Francie retorted.
Pops wants to talk to you"
John Weston stopped ostensibly
to light his pipe. "Gusty, I hate
to NEEDLE, but Id advise you to
get rid of that fellow"
"Blubber? Why, Mr. Weston ?"
I've been looking men over a
long time, son l won't say your
friends a crock, but he is A bad
risk. 1t would seem you're financ-
ing him ?"
Gusty's donkey laugh was a
trifle subdued. I'm just stalking
him to a couple Of meals. He's
got money and a job waiting at
Amarillo. He's gonna pay me back
with 10 bucks to boot. | car use
that dough-"
And he can use yours John
Weston said We'll, keep your
eyes open. Gusty.'
Gnsty said, Don't worry. Blub-
ber's okay. Gosh, any guy that
a send a gittsr like he does o."
Sending a guitar, I fear. is no
criterion of honesty" Mr.. Weston
walked away.
without thinking. Francie said.
Please take Pops advice. Gusty.'
'okay, Sugar. I'll ditch Blubber
-. if you Il ride with me"
I will not Francie flung her.
self away from him in a fury.
The tourist cabins where thew
stopped that night were set back
among tall trees. At bedtime Mr..
Weston left Francie and Aunt Hat
and retired to his own cabin next
door.
For a long time, Francie Law
with her arms behind her head
thinking Of Gusty. She didn't care
what happened to him, Of course,
still, the memory of Blubber's ugly
face gave her a sinking feeling in
her stomach.
And then. as if to reassure her,
there came through the open win
dow the thin. sweet voice of
Gusty's trumpet. Gustv was i'm
provising weirdly against the
rhythm beat of a guitar. He was
camped nearby and all was well.
Francie slept with the music in
her ears.
A sound awakened her. A first
she thought it was only the wind
rustling through the trees. And
then she heard il again. Frozen
with terror. she let her eyes roam
around the room. bringing the
doorway into view. S%ilhouetted
against the moonlight, Frsncie saw
the bulky outline Of a man.
TO Be Continued)