The Wilmington morning star., 1940-12-29
BY TOM HORNER


YESTERDAY: Under the doc
tors careful questioning, Mary ad-
mits that she is in love with Jerry
but she cares too much for him
to allow him to wreck his career.
She tells DR.. Connolly she be-
lieves Valerie is sincerely in love
with Jerry, but promises, if she
ever discovers Valerie is making
a fool of Jerry, to do all she can
to break up the romance.
DIR. CONNELLY'S SURPRISE
CHAPTER vi
Hugh Connolly found opportunity
at breakfast, to tell his wife OF
his conversation with Mary Warde.
It was no betrayal of Mary's con-
fidences. He knew that the girl
realized that Martha would know
eventually, if she hadn't guessed
already, that Mary loved Jerry.
There could be no secrets from
Martha.
II don't know why he has tt
fall in love with this Valerie
Martha said for the fifth time
If it were Mary, she'd have sense
enough not to let him ruin his ca,
reer-"
Lets not pass judgment on the
girl before we see her." Hugh
cautioned. "She may be every
thing Jerry says she is. Mary
tells me she is sweet, decidedly
attractive. We have to give the
girl a chance"
But if she really loves Jerry,
she should be willing to wait.
What's two years? I waited three
for you"
1.-THE situation was different
then, my darling" her husband
laughed. "You would have been
awfully hungry, going practically
without food those first years after
I left medical school. Things are
different now.
These young people have an
entirely new outlook on life, new
problems to meet. We can't say
what was right for us is right
for them. Don't forget, too, that
Valerie has money of her own"
"You don't think Jerry would
ever" Martha was angered al
the thought.
II hope my o will never live
on his wife's money" Hugh
agreed. But that's up to Jerry.
1t is his life, and his to live as he
wants to. You and I are getting
old, Martha. Our children are
growing up. We can't run their
lives for them forever. They
have to stand on their own two
feet. y
We've given them all we can
in a home, in education, in train
ing to be honest, good men and
women. The rest of their lives
is entirely up to each one of
them"
He bent to kiss her goodby.
I've got a busy day ahead of me,
and so have you Everything
should be perfect for this AN
nouncement party tonight. No
dates for Sheila and Kathleen. We
want Mary there, too. AS Valerie's
sorority sister, she has every right
to be included.
Its up to you, Martha, to keep
the twins in line. Let's not con-
denim Valerie without giving, her
a chance. See you at dinner"
Martha finished her coffee slow
ly after the doctor had gone. Hugh
was right, she knew. Hugh was
always right.
1t was not easy to dislike Valerie
after you met her. Her blond
beauty, her undeniable charm.
were major assets. And she was
doing her best in an uncomfort-
able position, Martha could see,
trying to make Jerry's family like
her.
True, she was inclined to be
the center of attraction, she de-
manded attention and got it, any
where she might be. But that,
too, was her privilege, the just due
OF every ~strikingly beautiful girl.
Her family background was en-
tirely acceptable, even to Martha,
who would demand only the best
for her on. Valerie's long. pow
erful car, her expensive clothes
and costly furs gave testimony of
the luxurious home in which she
had been reared. There could be
no objection on that point.
Despite her determination to dis
like the girl, Martha found her
self half approving Jerry's choice.
They would make a striking coup.
le-this tall, smiling manson of
hers,' so like the Hugh Connolly
she had loved so many years,
and this small, utterly feminine
creature. But a single doubt lin
gered-could Valerie, would Va
lerie bear up under the +rio1e