New Britain herald., 1927-11-30

did when he descended into the der of Hons.
 That night Mrs. Lexington had al the things for her dinner party tha Ter husband had told her they coult not afford.
 She had the new butler to serve the dinner.
 , She had the banquet cloth of filet lace and Italian cut-work that she bad paid $500 for.
 She had the er-trimmed cock. tail glasses, and tiny silver-trimmed | liquor glasses that she had beer weeping and pleading for for over two weeks.
 She had a centerpiece of white orchids and red orchids for the middle of the table, and cloisonne enamel ash trays for favors. Tt was a marvellous dinner par. ty," she declared with great satisfac- tion when the last guest was gone She sat down before the little fire in the library and kicked off the silveNcloth slippers that had been torturing her for hours. and began to pull some of the hairpins from her hair. But thank goodness it's over-although suppose life in this house will be fairly exciting from now until the wedding day"
 Her husband looked at her thoughtfully. What do you suppose tonights shindig set us back. Ellie?'' he asked. lifting his chin from the stiff collar that was scratching it.
 Mrs. Lexington sighed and frown- ed. "Cy. must we always talk about money?" she asked in a very tired voice. Tonight was lovely-We did our best by our little girl, and gave her a beautiful party Everyone had such a good time"
 T didn't have a good time" said her husband, scowling. we gave Lily a fine dinner all right, but We could have done it just as well with the old glasses and the tablecloth we've been using for parties right along. could we? Gadzooks, every time the new butler came around with a plate, l felt as if he was a bill collector. What are we paying that bird, anyway"
 Were going to keep him only until the wedding day, Cy." said Mrs, Lexington. not answering his question, 50 please don't fuss. You have only one daughter. you know.
 That had always been her chorus when she wanted things for Lily or the house that had to be beautiful and luxurious because 1t was Lily S home. Were doing it for Lily, Cy.' And 50 he had always done what she wanted, no matter how hard he had to struggle to keep his head above the flood of debts.
 Lily went to sleep that night 10 the sound of pickering in the li- brary below her room-her fathers low. protesting voice, and her moth- CTS quick, angry tones.
 Perhaps Sues right-and money is a big part of married life and happiness" she thought, drowsily, her red-gold head pillowed on her arms. "Mother and Dad would have been a lot happier if they'd had more money-that's certain"
 And so she went on arguing with herself that maybe she was doing the right thing and the smart thing by marrying Staley Drummond. Well she would be a good wife 10 him, at any rate-and she would have everything. Everything.
 The next day was the second-last day of the month.
 Tomorrow will be the last day Pat drives his cab." thought Lily, sitting at the lunch table with her mother, an hour after she opened her eyes.
 On the table before her were the remnants of last nights feast. The salmon mayonnaise looked sad and sloppy, with the wilted lettuce around it. The rolls that had hard , ened over night. The warmed -ovel 1 potatoes with the cheese hardened around the edge of the baking dish
 It was most unappetizing meal i But it had to be eaten, for Mrs i Lexington economized by never wasting a crumb--and if one meal was feast. the next one was prac. ! tically famine.
 But Mrs. Lexington ate her dried , up roll as if it were food for the ] gods. Before her on the table wa: i the morning paper, and on it's "so- 1 ciety" page was a large picture oi Lily. She read the paragraph be- meath it aloud with great gusto:
 Miss Lily Lexington. whose en- gagement to Mir. Staley Drummond was announced last evening at q 1 dinner given by Miss Lexington. parents. Mir. and Mrs. Cyrus Merri. ton Lexington of Montpelier road.''
 T wonder If Pat will see it. : thought Lily. looking at the pictur, over her mothers shoulder | Suddenly longing to see him onct more swept over her - after tomor. 1 TOW she would have no more , chances to run down town ant | climb into his cab and talk to him Tomorrow would be the last 1 day he would have his cab. Anf besides, 1t hurt no one if she simply 1 spent a half hour with him, did it? But what if he refuses to let mt into the cab the way he did tn, 1 day I was with Sue" she said t' 1 herself. as she dressed in q new | pale-gray suit and robins egg blu' l hat. and pinned some robins eg& blue flowers on her shoulder. Well 1 I'll have to take that chance--that , all" She had 10 see him.
 By a splendid stroke of luck hi cab stood in Albermarle street. Lily'' heart seemed 10 leap and bound when she saw it, and then lie yer! ! still in her breast.