New Britain herald., 1927-12-17
Lily sat between Pat and Florence

Lily sat between Pat and Florence
 "I think I'll call up Ann and give her the news" she said 10 herself. and gave Ann's number to Central.
 "Tl give q farm to see her face when l tell her I'm not going 10 marry Staley, after all" she thought. She could imagtHs how Ann would enjoy that piece of news quiet self-contained Ann, who had been in love with Staley for so many years that everyone knew tho state of her heart. Ann was the type that gives herself away. when she is in love with a man, not by ever speaking of it, but by the way she lcoks at him ard flushes up when he comes near her. Poor old Ann,
 Maybe she'll get Staley on the tebound," thought Lily, standing in the little hallway with its faded Brussels carpet and its wall paper that was cracked in places. although it was spotlcssly and beautifully clean.
 Ann. herself answered the Bar ncys' telephone.
 This is Lily Lexington" Lily told her. I'm so sorry. Ann. that ' won't ba at your house for the card game today-and I should havo let you know about it before this but I never thought Of it until just thLs minute"
 That's quite all right" answered Ann, who never seemed annoyed and rufflcd. Her voice sounded cold and far away. She never had particular ly liked Lily-and Lily knew it. And since the day she had told her about her engagement 10 Staley Drummond. Ann had been slowly backing into her shell, so far as Lily was concerned.
 She had not even telephoned 10 let Lily know about the meeting Of the card club at her house that day, and Lily would not have heard about it except through Sue Cain, who was always good friends with everybody.
 "Is Sue there?" Lily asked. May I speak to her. pleAse?"
 Ann said she would call her, and in moment Sues high, eager voice came over the wire: Hello, Twin. Whats on your mind?"
 Plenty" said Lily. with a laugh, and then she told her what she ad done.
 There was a long silence. At tho end of it Sue gave little gasp.
 Well, that stays my soul." she cried in her breezy, slangy, breath- less way. q cant believe you're making such an idiot or yonrself!-- Look here. Lily. where are you?"
 Lily told her.
 "I'll be right down." Sue answer cd. and hung up the receiver before Lily could say another word.
 In less than half an hour she was ster with nickel trimmiugs-su called it her Turkish Bath--came tearing up the street and stopped with jerk and shriek of brakes before the low, white picket fence in front ot the house.
 Sue. little and dark and flashing in bright red hat and dress. came flying up 10 the door and rang the bell as if she were trying to wake the dead.
 l haven't you?" were the first words she said when Lily opened the door to her and she stepped into the hall.
 She stood still and looked al her with narrowed, searching eyes, as if she never really had seen her best friend before in all the years of their friendship.
 Does anybody but me know that you're here ill this house" she ask cd when Lily led the way into the curtains. it's vases of dried flowers on the mantel, it's gray green plush chairs with lace doilics pinned on the backs and arms of them queer stiff. old fashioned room that vas a pe2ccful place in spite of Its ut-of-srylo furnishings.
 ''Mothcr docs.'
 Sue breathed great sigh of re- lief. Well, thank heaven for that" she said sharply. Now, look here, Lily, you cant stay here. You've got to go home and think this over .. In' your best friend. and I love you heaps, and won't let you do this wild thing"
 Her big, black eyes pleaded with Lily. "Why. darlingest. you hardly know this France. ! don't mind his being poor, in q way, but l don't believe he cares so awfully much for you. l cant help remembering that day down town when he wouldn't let you get irto his cab and drove off, leaving you standing in the rain" Her face was filled with very real distress.
 Lilly shrugged her shoulders. "Nell, Of course. l don't know how much he cares about me. but I think he cares q great deal. Sue" she said. He says he did his best to keep me away from him because he knew l wasn't the type Of girl he ought to marry--and, Sue, I did chase him. Really. ] did.-l just followed him all ov"r-- She gave a nervous lit- lie girgie at the thought of the way