New Britain herald., 1927-11-29
M1~ By Beatrice Burton lvlOIlCV lOVC Author
 Hollywood Girl"

nounced Lily's engagement to Staley Drummond.
 She had three pitched battles with Cy, her silent. hard-working hus- band, about some silver cocktail glasses, a real lace tablecloth and d butler to wait on table that night,
 We may just as well get butler and keep him until after Llly's wed- ding" she declared one evening a week before the dinner, when she was playing Huntington bridge with him before the tiny fire in the living room. Everybody but us has u butler"
 Everybody but us," her husband repeated. Now, what do you mean by statement like that? You know l, that there aren't dozen friends of ours that have buffers. l haven't seen them, anyway, l know"
 There was nothing gruff in his tone when he spoke, but Mrs. Lex ington began to cry Her nerves were worn ragged by daughter who couldn't make up her mind whether she was going 10 go through with her marriage in June or not, and the least little thing up set her lately
 Go right ahead and announc, the engagement if you want to-" Lily had told her in an off-hand sort of fashion. 'I suppose it's all right 10 do 1t. I imagine I'll marry Stalcy when the times comes"
 'Therc'll be q terrible scandal if you change your mind. The tongues Will never stop wagging in this town 1T you don't marry him." her moth CT had replied. tragically. "so vou better be sure of yourself, young lady"
 But Lily wasn't sure of herself. She had feeling of being closed up iii some alright place as the days passed with St2ley sending flowers every morning md coming 10 sec her every night. She felt as if she were in prison. and she longed wild ly 10 sec Pat France one minute, and told herself he didn't matter one Jot the next. She didn't know her own mind for an hour at time.
 All girls feel like this before they're married, "her mother as- sured her. and that's only natural. Marriage is a very serious under faklng. IL involves a lot more than just being madly in love with q man.
 Does lt?" Lily asked. her eyes wide and wondering. "I thought love was the whole excuse for it."
 On the night of the dinner party Staley came early. bringing Lily :, necklace and bracelet of seed pearls and a great armful of white roses.
 He stood nt the foot Of the stairs nnd watched her come down the long flight toward him, like q gauzy white moth in her chiffon dress
 She saw the look in his eyes and Knew that when she reached the bottom step he would take her in his arms and kiss hcr--and so she ''''c N'iS Fit"iN anu Iithi ttltlliSlN. Al the foot of the stairs she stopped suddenly and leaning against the newcl post. just above him. and with her lips just out of reach.
 Happy" he asked, doubtfully, as if he knew she wasn't.
 She shrugged a bare shoulder. I'm shaky." she said. "It seems such jun ping-off place, somehow marriage. doesn't it""
 His pleasant. good-looking face aobered, and he put his arms around her waist, looking up at her "Not to me. It seems like the end of everything I've been working toward for years. It seems like peace and comfort to me, Lily"
 Peace and comfort" though Lily. "Who wants peace and com fort? I want life and go. and hushel of fun and thrills
 But she said nothing. She just looked at Staley. noticing the fine ares around his eyes and the hint Of gray on the curve of his temples
 As if he read her thoughts or saw her critical look, he asked her sud denly if she thought he was too old for her.
 Lily shook her head.
 No" she told him. "If I loved you wouldn't care if you were as