The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-08-06


saw farewell forever to the theater!
He stopped shortl Would she?
They hadn't discussed that. Did
she intend for their marriage to
be sandwiched between rehearsals
as their romance had been?
He drew himself up with jerk
He wanted for Molly and himself
the dream of love in a cottage
Jean had imagined What kind Of
marriage did Molly want? He
wondered.
When Johnny came backstage
at 7:30, Jean was already there
She had on a smock, Splattered
with grease paint, a list of the
properties needed for the first act
was in her hand, and she was
arranging a decanter, glasses and
coffee service in accordance with
its instructions.
Hello, Johnny" She hardly
looked up.
II came to talk to you," he
began, wondering how he should
start. Away from Molly, the task
of asking Jean for the cameo
seemed difficult. isn't that the
Carstairs coffee service?"
Jean nodded. But told Miss
Bessie I'd be personally RESPONSE
BILE for it.
Johnny had an opportunity to
look around. He whistled. Are
you going to be personally re-
sponsible for all the other Cape
Cod antiques you've got in this
barn? Isn't that Mr.. Duntrow's
hunting board? And the Meltons'
Sheraton table? What on earth
are you thinking about?"
Listen to me, Johnny Regain"
- Jeans eyes flashed - 1--WE put
up with just about all I'm going
to from you. I let you boss me
around all my life. Took it and
liked it. No matter what a sap
Sue said I was. Now I'll thank
you to mind your own business.
I've done a pretty good job Of
Winding mine"
Two spots of pink appeared on
her cheeks. She turned angrily,
and started down the stairs.
eff you're talking about Molly,
you can retract anything detri-
mental you've thought. She's a
good actress. Didn't you read her
notices."
Jean almost snorted, who
could help it? She waved them
around like American flags. And
it's gone to her head completely.
The whole cast is pretty sick Of
her. Upstage, cutting in on lines.
doubt if Mr.. Earl ever gives
her another part"
The words came with such
pent-up fury that Johnny thought
she was glad of this opportunity
to hurl them at him. Now is the
time to tell her, he decided. "Oh,
WE'LL" he tried to say casually,
sit won't matter whether he does
or not. This acting is just a stop
gap, anyway. Molly's going to
marry me-" 4
He thought he heard Jean gasp,
but the answer didn't betray her.
Marry you! That is laugh,
I thought she had Andre Masters
in mind"
HE is strictly business" Johnny
quoted. Were to be married
soon, if that means anything to
you"
Jean continued to rearrange the
Bohemian liquer glasses in a cir
Gle around the decanter. ut ap-
parently means something to her."
she said with vehemence. Il
haven't seen that girl make a
move since I've known her that
didn't further her own campaign
league or two. Though I can't
for the life of me see how marry
ing you could help her. No money.
No job"
Johnny felt as if she had
slapped him, but he answered
with control. Get nasty. I'll get
good job and it won't be with
the Reynolds Advertising Agency.
might remind you that it wasn't
too long ago that you regarded
me as fairly safe marriage bet
yourself"
She shrugged. I'm trying to
forget I was such fool, but see
ing you makes it doubly difficult"
1t hardly seemed the perfect OPP
portunity to ask Jean to sell him
the cameo, but he had promised
Molly. He took deep breath.
JEAN" he said, II didn't come
back stage for a fight. I came to
ask favor of YOU
IF it's about going home, can
give you my answer. You don't
own Capetown even if you do act
like it. I'm staying"
Johnny shook his head. Stay
as long as you like, I don't care.
I want to give Molly an engage
ment present, and what she wants
most of all is the cameo Won't
you sell it to me?"
Jean didn't answer for a min
ute. Johnny had thought he heard
a sob; he'd expected to see her
eyes fill up with tears. He knew