New Britain herald., 1927-12-16
CHAPTER XXI

S'N-A back instantly from any shock. dis appointment or failure.
 And now she had plan all ready for Lily and Pat.
 T want you to walt for A hours before you even ask for a marriage license" she said. T want you to take plenty of time to think over what you're doing. Then maybe you won't do it."
 Lily laughed. "Oh. won't r" she was beginning scornfully. when Pat stopped her.
 Its a pretty good idea ofsyour mothers Lily. Twenty-four hours will give you a chance for some sober thought, after all" So finally Lily promised to wait for another day before she made up her mind to become Mrs. Patrick France. But I'll not stay here" she said firmly. "I'll do my waiting at your house, Pat. Because I'm not going to change my mind. you know!"
 Helping him with his suitcase, she went down the driveway. leaving be- hind her all the comforts and lux uries Of the house that no longer seemed like home to her.
 She left them, and felt no pang of regret.
 Under the noon-tide sun the brown -shuttered house seemed to be taking a nap. It's shades were half. drawn, its front door was closed. The gate was closed, and 1t squeaked drowsily on it's hinges when Pat and Lily pushed 1t open and wen' into the small green yard. There was a red-brick walk that went around the house to the kitch en door, and Pat. carrying the two suitcases, led the way to the back of the house.
 From the open window of the kitchen came the sound of wom. ans voice singing My Old Ken lucky Home" and of water running into a sink.
 And along with those melodiou! sounds an appetizing odor Of fresf bread came floating out through the open windows.
 ''Mmm! Do you smell that? Il reminds mo that I'm hunghy!" LII! said. as they went up the two steps that led to the back porch-th' neatest back porch imaginable. witf a scrubbed table in the middle of 1t and three pies standing on 1t to cool They were still steaming as If the. had just been set there.
 Pat pushed open the screen dool and held it for Lily to pass into th' house ahead of him.
 In the middle of the kitchen stood Mrs. France. wiping her dripping hands on a snowy linen towel. He steel-rimmed glasses, were pushed back upon her forehead, and he blue eyes were round with amaze ment as she looked up and saw Lii. and Pat on the threshold.
 Lord bless my soul!" she cried If it isn't Pat and that girl!" Sh' had way of thinking aloud some times that way very startling.
 
 What's happened, for pity sake?" she asked, looking iron them to the bags at their feet.
 Pat told her in his simple straightforward way. i've quit m, job. and Lily's made up her mind t marry me-tomorrow," he said, a quietly as If he were reading weather report in 0 newspaper.
 Mrs. France hung her towel owe a hook, and turned to the table tha was covered with pans and splc tins and flour. "Well!" she cried breathlessly. She was froWning in puzzled way, as if 1t were hard flo her to take all this in. Now. ther let me get this straight-is Nils Lexington going 10 marry you? Pal you told me she was engaged to an other man, and that newspaper clip ping up in your room says she's go ing 10 marry another man. It evel tells his name
 "Yes, it does" Pat agreed wit her. But she's made up her min' to marry me instead. l think she