The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-06-19
CHAPTER III

BY purely an accident Francie
reached the shortcut at the same
moment as Gusty An accident,
however, that involved precise tim
ing and knowledge OF his habits
Dusty wore suit OF greasy khaki
dungarees and q tiny felt skullcap
perched on his black hair,
"Hi-yah, Sugar" he beloved.
FrancIe Jumped like a startled
fawn. "Oh, It's you, 0usty"
"fn person"
Francie drew n circle on the
sidewalk with her toelesS pump,
"Aunt Hat discovered we were out
Of coffee and - and
"Fancy meeting me here, huh"
dusty said. "Some girls get oil
the breaks"
She mustered q very decent
blush. I'm glad, though, Gusty
!. well, last night d. )"
"You acted pretty corny."
Ell know, GuSty, but II all
happened 80 fast. / hardly knew
what was saying"
He showed the skullcap back Oh
his head, squlnted. You're O
funny girl, Francie."
Am n"
"Nevor mind" ousty said, taxi
ing her arm. I'm bighearted, III
walk home with you"
They talked swing as they went.
0uSty was playing Job that
night. He'd worked out some new
clicks" that would Startle the
world OF music.
Francle didn't mention the
ticket. Al II, under Aunt Hats
tutelage, she was beginning 10 &C.
quire o "feei" for masculine be-
hayior. Something told her that
this was no time 10 attack, dusty'S
mind was full OF music, For allies
she needed moonlight, solitude
and her lovelieSt frock.
Arriving at the Weston's front
porch. F'rancie said, Gee, dusty,
I'd Ike 10 hear those swell llcks,"
Would your" no asked, sur.
priSed. II thought you weren't
going 10 speak 10 mo again"
Francie moved closer 10 Dusty,
tliting her head back 30 that her
hair fell away from her lovely
face. She widoned her brown eyes
Just as she'd seen Maria Denning
DO IN the last Jerry Finney pic.
ture.
"That was last night, dusty.
Girls change their minds"
And howl Well, all right, I'll
salals sgAts ttFa aNAttVaA ~
"rTl DO waiting" Francie lifted.
Never In her life had Francie
taken such care IN dressing. Aunt
Hat, lowering In the background,
poured out q steady stream OF ad-
vice. II seemed odd 10 Francie 10
DO doing oil this for Gusty. who
never noticed what she wore, But
tonight she Just had 10 make on
impression
Why, maybe her whole future
depended on III No doubt existed
IN her mind that once she sang
from Hollywood her career was
assured. And, she reflected with
q magnanimous glow, she'd see
that dtisty got his chance, too.
This thought made her feel little
less guilty about using her wiles
on him.
(. She put on the new blue dress
which somehow matured her
slender hgure. She fused with
her hair until II resembled O
sheet OF smooth golden syrup,
Presently Aunt Hat BUSTED IN
with O bottle OF French perfume.
She touched the glass stopper 10
Francies hair and ears. Francie
prayed that the generous amount
OF rouge and lipgtick she used
would escape Pops keen eyes.
But he only gazed at her In
quiet admiration and said, BE
home by midnight" And then as
she went out on the porch, Poor
0usty :"
Duke Meyers KampuS Wildcats
played that night under o severe
handicap. No swing. The guests
were practically aged, and at II
the party broke Up.
flspite OF the 90 he had earned,
0usty was unhappy. "Corny stun"
he gruinbled as they emerged
from the hall. Here ! work up O
lot Of new licks and can't use
EN-"
NEVER mind" Francie soothed.
Everyone could tell you were
good
Gusty's old roadster was at the
curb. The impression II gave was
one Of general debility, yet many
Of the towns speed merchants had