New Britain herald., 1927-12-31

ShC l,nk into her high -hCelcd Slipp pieces because she was jilting him for Pat France. She kept re mcmbcring the night when he had given her her engagement ring and held her in his arms and kissed her.
 And something in his face told her hat he was remembering those things. too. After all. they had been very close friends as well as sWecthearts for long time, the two of them. They would always be bound, more or less, by those mem- orics.
 He climbed over the side of the long. low automobile and stood be- side her on the pavement. T didn't have very much money at the Of flee" hc said to her, "so wrote out a check for th" amount-and made it payabl, 10 the Angouleme shop. Is that all right?"
 Lily said sine supposed it was. She dislikcl the idea Of letting the shop people know who had paid her bill
 But what else could she do but take it and turn it over 10 the man who was watching her from within the restaurant"
 And thanks. Staley." she said. "l'll give this 10 him. and then I'll com" back her" 10 you We might go for q run--just ten minutes, or so""
 Shc knew that he wanted her 10 suggest that and she felt that she ought to l." q little nice to him when he was doing her this great favor.
 Inside tho shop ho noticed that he had written across tn" top Of th" check "In full payment of Mrs. Pat Frances bill"
 Well, that was only husinesslikc. tho thought Of the Angoulcmc peo- pie seeing il and knowing that q man who was not her husband was paying for her clothes.
 'Of course, nobody would believe that I'm going 10 make dad pay il ''' ''t'' IN l' ''''' f'I''f ''l'''t- 'i'. "t.vcry body would think that I was just horrid little gold digger bor- rowing money from my friends 10 pay my clothes bills"
 The man from Angoulcme's gave her an amused glance when she handed him tho check. "I thought you said your husband would pay the bill," he said. pointing with s'ubhy finger to Stalcys wull-known signature at the bottom Of the check.
 Lily had the grace 10 blush She hated to be caught in lie.
 "There's your checll." she said 10 him. with 2 glance like forked light ming. And pleas" receipt that bill you showed me. That's all you have 10 do"'
 She tore it out of his fingers when other look full of dislike and fury. and ran ont 10 Staloy once moro.
 "W"ll, h"ro I anl--a free woman at last" she said 10 him. as he help "i her into hi'' d"op-cushioncd car. and tucked q light wool robe around her knees. oh, il was pleasant 10 h" looked after like this, after months Of doing things for Pat. Cooking for him. washing for him. ironing for him. cleaning for him.
 "1 suppose hes home right now. wondering why Pm not there 10 get his Snppcr.' she thought. bitterly. "Waiting 10 be waited on."
 The big car started off down Boyle street. with it's rough robbleet ones, as if it were sl,immns over smooth asphalt. "Oh. Stalcy. I'd forgotten what il vas like to he in q machine lik" thfN!" Lily sighed, looking up at him. Ifs wondorflIl"'
 The moon had rls"u--a big. yellow moon -oy"r the low housrtops and roofs of in" street. and hy it's ligh, sh" could SC" Stalcy smile at her. "Oh, we'll" hn said. If yon're happy. you don't mind riding in cheap car do you"''
 "l}ut ! haven't ANY car." Lily told him her big gray-srccn eyes elcaming like jewels in ,he moon-ii dimncSs. T have to walk every time | want 10 go anywhere. Oh, S'al"y you wouldn't know me these days, l wear sensible low-hceled slip"rs and plain gingham bunga low aprons, and l scrub and sweep and slave like a scullery- maid all day."
 He shook his head. Its hard to believe" he said. You must be very much in love with your husband 10 do things like that. And that's quite all right. want you 10 keep on being happy, Lily"
 But he said it as if he did not mean if. He sounded finland and not at all convincing.
 Then. suddenly, he turned his head and gave her q quick. scarch- ing look. You ARE happy. aren't youn"
 lily did not answer. . For the first tim" she began to doubt that she really was happy. She loved Pat. That went without saying but was shc happy"
 "oh. l don't know whether I'm