The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-06-25

leuncninB HIMSELF upon chTeoE
OF crime.
She simply had 70 do something.
And then II came 10 her in a flash,
II she told Pops about taking the
ticket he might help 0usty.
Aunt Hat went to her room TO
write postcards. John Weston set
tied himself In the lobby with his
pipe. Francie sat by his side whis-
Ting up her courage. Pops would
DO angry over what she'd donee
but for 0ustys sake she forced
herself TO confess,
He listened, taking slow, meas
ured puffs on his pipe. When she
had finished he said, "I'm sorry
you did that, Francie."
But, Pops, It was just as much
"Perhaps. That hardly excuses
your behavior. Don't you see
what's going 10 happen7 0usty's
making this trip with the idea that
he win be reimbursed for broad
casting, Suppose he doesn't dis
cover the loss Of his ticket until
the night Of the program? Being
broke almost 2,000 miles from
home Is no picnic"
John Weston arose, knocked out
his pipe. He said brusquely, "f'm
going over to the jail. Francie
Take the key to my room and walt
for me there. I want TO talk TO
you"
Francie moved restlessly about the
room. Her father had been gone
only o few minutes, but II seemed
like hours. She looked down into the
street. A familiar name flashed at
her from the marquee Of the local
movie.
Jerry Tinney Francie hadn't
thought OF him ell day. And now
she was only few hundred miles
from Jerry. She slid her fingers
into her pocket and felt the ticket.
Like magnet II drew her
thoughts away from 0usty, made
her almost forget that she cared
for him.
Everything was so terribly mixed
up. Jerry, dusty - each pulling her
In different direction. Francie
threw herself on the bed, her mind
In o whirl
John Weston returned much later.
well, FTancie, I caught the Justice
OF the peace at his home. I finally
talked him into letting me pay Gus
TVS fine In advance. I left $40 with
him, but he won't release Gusty UNI
I'll morning. We both agreed that q
night In jail might cool the boy
down. I didn't see dusty, but I left
word for him to come TO the hotel
as soon as he was released"
Francie threw her arms around
his neck, kissed him. "Oh, Pops,
that was swell Of you"
Before dusty comes, you've
something to decide, Francie,"
John Weston said. "And you
mustn't ask me to do II for you"
what, Pops . the ticket?"
He nodded. III you keep il, two
courses are open. You can DO
honest and tell dusty you have II.
Or you can let him And out for
himself. The first way will make
him angry, the second will make
him hate you. or you can give
back the ticket and tell him you're
sorry"
Francie Strengthened. "pops. now
that you've paid his fine, dusty will
have enough money to get TO Hol.
lywood. ! can keep the ticket and
give Qusty the money they pay me
for broadcasting. wouldn't that be
fair7"
think ousty will accept help from
your"
Her brown eyes clouded. 1T he
wants TO be stubborn /. !"
"That's hardly the point, Fran
Gle. What really matters Is how
well you like Gusty."
IAN awfully lot, Pops, when
he's nice, but"
crime will smooth Off his rough
edges, and wnen that day comes,
Elspeth City and look pretty good
10 you. There are lots OF glamor-
goofy youngsters trying 10 get q
break In Hollywood, Francie. But
believe the ones who take their
dusty CARS and settle down In
their Elspeth Cities will be the
happiest"
John Weston hesitated, deep in