New Britain herald., 1927-12-07

him. smiling because it was May and and sunshiny and the day was before them.
 Were going to have a picnic" she said, and all her happiness was in the tones of her light voice. Just you and l. Here, take this basket and put it in the back of the car. I'm going 10 ride up in front with you.'
 He shook his head his arms hanging at his sides. we cant do ! it-You know We can't" he said quietly. "It's hopelcss-and I'm eo- 1 ing to quit my job here at the end of the week. l heard your Dad and 1 your Mother talking last night in tn" 1 car when I brought them home l Gosh. They look upon this Drum mond guy as their son already. Why, you're as good as married now.'
 Don't you stand there and foll me what I am. Yon put this basket | in the car and well get out in the country some place where We can | talk,-I'm a long way from being married to Stalcy Drummond, so just write that on your cuff. MT. Taxi cab."
 He shook his head again, stub bornly.
 You do as I tell you.' Lily told ! him at a shout. She stamped her foot on the cement of the driveway. Carrie came out upon the back ! porch and prctcnled to be shaking crumbs out of a tablecloth that had no crumbs in it.
 Lily knew she was listening. "Please let's go. Pat,' she begged and put the heavy basket into the car herself, She slammed the door upon if. "You don't want Carrie 10 ! hear every word We say, do you? Come on hop in and show inc some | speed. .ot's sec if We can find a bab- 1 hIing brook by eight o'clock" ! I've shouldn't do il, you know" 1 Pat said. but while he spoke he was 1 Cetting into the car. Lily jumped in from the other side and they 1 started.
 Carrie will probably run right upstairs and tell Mother that I've cloped with the chauffeur,' she laughed as they rushed through the cool morning air that was sweet with the fragrance of lilacs and lit tle new green leaves and young grass.
 It seemed to blow all her troubles away. and for minute she forgot Staley Dl'ummond and the engraved wedding invitations that the station CT had delivered at the house yestcr- day, and the white satin wedding dress and the lace veil with its Coro- net of waxcn orange blossoms nll ready for the tenth of June. She for got her mother and Sue Cain and the diamond engagement ring that she had left lying on the top of her dressing table. .
 Well, here we arc. Pat Just you and land isn't it heavenly" she sighed. and laid her check down ! against his sleeve.
 Pat made q short Grunting sound in his throat and shrugged ono broad shoulder. 'I don't know whether it's heavenly or not" si ii he. "Your friend, Drummond, is r ing to he pretty sore when he stop at your house this morning and finds that you've gone on a picnic tip with your chs utfcur'
 Lily didn't care. "I'n have this one day, anyway" sho made up her mind. And Surpos" S.alcy does stop at the house and find me gone? l can think up some kind of alibi to square things with him."
 She g!g2lod. Carrie Was certain ly giving you mp q banquet this morning whom stopped her." she said. "FloWrrs on the table and the best silver. and q dish of bar-Ie- iuc-Jmminy crickcts, but il was funny. never thought I'd have Carrie for rival-" She stopped at the grim half-anGry look that crossed the face SO close 10 hers
 "les. that's just il' You and ] don't belong in the Sams class" ho said graNely 'I belong to the class that works hard for T living. anh you're at the top of the pack We're as far apart as tho two poles you and L'
 "Jt's your fault if We are Pat. I want 10 be the best friend you have anywhere. But you keep pushing mo away. Nou keep telling me that l ought 10 be true 10 Staley Drummond when I don't want to be- don't want anybody but you, Pat. Ever" She was swept off her feet by her feeling for him, in that moment.
 Ever since the first do" l saw you I've been chasing .~ haven't I. Pat France? I've moGc q fool of myself--and I'm not thrcrgh mak- ing fool of myself. Pat, ] want to marry yon-now. today, before ] can change my mind"
 He did not answer.
 But he slowed down tho car. iurn- cd it in the road. and started back towards town.
 "Iou're not taking mo home" asked Lily. and he shook his head.
 T want to show you something