The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1940-08-09
MoIly's Spell Is Broken

him understand.
at wasn't yours when you lost
it and I'd planned to give 1t oack
anyway. You were supposed to
be marrying me, not the cameo.
And now that the marriage Is
postponed you'll have to ten
Jean Reynolds right away that
you've lost the most valuable
piece of jewelry you ever laid
your hands on"
Molly drew herself up to her
full height. She was ice, hard
and frozen ice. Her voice chilled
II said our marriage was post
poned.' If I explain everything
to Jean Reynolds it's indefinitely
nostponed. Do you understand"
you'll explain. I'm not gong
to get you out of this JAM" ne
spoke evenly as he always did
when really angry. "As for our
marriage. Something tells me that
was about as empty a promise as
all the rest of your pictures"
He turned away from her and
went down the walk. He had to
think. He must tell Jean the
truth. He knew Molly didn't in
tend to.
Molly called after him, but he
didn't answer. He heard her laugh
softly, as if to say, Hell pc
back" The screen door slammed
after her.
Halfway up Rutherford street to-
ward the Meltons', another idea
struck Johnny. Why not go down TO
the theater and look around? The
cameo might be repaired, If he could
find 1t.
Molly had said she had left the
cameo on Mrs. Lyons dress. The
fire had burned the superstruc-
tlre of the building. The dressing
rooms were in the basement.
Johnny was almost running when
he reached the theater.
Johnny threaded his way care
fully through the ruins until ne
found the charred skeleton OF a
staircase. The acrid smell OF wet,
burned timber stung his noStrils.
He jumped down into the base
ment.
He recognized Molly Travers'
dressing room without difficulty.
Mrs. Lyons gray muslin, scorched
little, lay under two fallen
beams. He knelt down and eX-
amined the dress carefully. Even
the black jet buttons were intact
he noticed exlutantly.
But the cameo was not there.
His hands trembled as he searched
the neck of the dress. Suppose
someone had taken it! Perhaps
Molly was mistaken when she said
the cameo was on the dress.
Johnny found the dressing
table, overturned and half hidden
by charred piles. He opened one
of the drawers. A makeup XII
was there, the sticks unmelted,
the little plaits of hair unsinged
But there was no cameo. He
found Molly's purse, with 60 cents
in small change. If anybody had
robbed the dressing room, money
would have disappeared first.
Had Molly lied to him?
He must know before he tolt
Jean. He stuffed her pocket
book in his blouse, and for the
third time that day found him.
self at 43 Cottage street asking
for Miss Travers.
ct thought you'd come back ant
apologize" Molly said when SHE
saw him. "I'm terribly hurt thai
you'd think so badly of me-"
How about your conscience
Was it hurt enough to call Jean?"
'-Oh, darling" Molly was exas-
perated, you're still mad, aren't
you? I don't think it's necessary
to tell her since she'd given the
brooch to us. If you think she
has to know, you ought to tel
her yourself"
"That's your story and you're
sticking to it," Johnny said calm
ly. But I've been down to thu
theater :"
Molly interrupted with laugh.
ter, (which theater? Ours burned
last night"
Ever hear of a fire sale?'
Johnny asked. "Salvaged goods?"
what are you talking about
now, Johnny Regan?" Johnny
thought he detected alarm in hel
tone. "You didn't have a monop.
oily on any salvaging, you know
if any was done. Those Portu'
gueSe :"
But Johnny was ready for her
They'd have taken this first
don't you think?" He threw thu
purse in her lap.
Johnny waited for her to reply
but silence hung between then
like a screen. IF you haven
anything to say, I'm going to Jear
Reynolds and tell her what ha!
happened. Unless you tell the
truth, I'll believe you gave the
cameo to Masters in exchange fol
that contract"
Molly stared at him incredu.
lousy. Then she began to sob.
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