New Britain herald., 1928-01-03

brows that were 70 startling with her bright red-gold hair. .Nothing'a the matter with me-" she told htm. I'm just letting you know nov how ! I've felt all summer long about ltv. ing in this two-by-four. slavtng my 1 life away for you. I've been thinking things over lately. and 1t , just strikes me that l donV get much out of life.
 He nodded hts handsome dark head, his eyes intent. ''No. you don't get much out of it-thats true." he agreed with her. But. you know. ] told you things would be like this. if you married me. l saw what yci Tad on Montpelier Road. and l knew what ] could give you. Not very much. I honestly can't even afford this flat. little as it is. We ought to be living in two rooms somewhere"
 When he had gone without giving her kiss or another word. Lily felt more blue and discouraged than ever.
 She got up and went into the bedroom to take off her wraps. On the dresser lay the nickel which she had intended to use when she teie- phoned Staley Drummond to tell lim she was not going to meet nm the next day. But now she be- gan to wonder if she wasn't very silly not to meet him. after all. How could it possibly harm anyone if she saw Staley Drummond for an hour or two-if she forgot for an hour or two the trials and tribula- tions of the little flat? Staley would probably take her some place 1 for tea.
 Afternoon tea once more. - The soft music. the shaded lights. Inc luxury of waiter to serve you. - The ride in Staley's big purring roadster. All the things that once had seemed so ordinary and now seemed so luxurious. 90 wonderful, to her.
 There were still red marks on her wrists where the cans and potatoes had lain against them. There was burn from a flat-iron on one finger. A can-opener had slipped and cut another.
 "Mv terrible hands," Lily thought. looking at them. She rememoered how Staley had called them lilies Tn the old days of their engagement.
 The days when she had worn his enormous diamond upon her third finger, ani rubbed perfume into her palms to make them Smeil like lilies.
 With a long sigh she went into the bathroom and began to scrub them with the-S,ail brush. She tNok <, whole hour to manicure them. put even then they did not look at all like tbe lily-white hands Of the ola days before she married Pat ana settled down to work for hln. Tho next afternoon she peeled the ,ocotah,es for supper before sEe started to get dressed to go ou' 'o meet Stalcy. , ~ She laid a cloth on the little blue green painted table and set II. ehe trimmed the chops and laid them on inc broiling rack so that she couia pop them into the oven the minu'e she got home.
 And I must be home at fifteen minutes after six" she told herself. waiting outside Staley's office ouild- ing at five o'clock with the crowds | hurrying past her and the lghts 1 coming out above the street. Staley was only minute or two late. Without saying anything he came up to her. took herarm ana l together they went through the crowds to the place where hls car Was parked.
 "The great wide-open parking spaces, eh?" Lily asked gaily as they climb ed into the car. and he laugheo at that, his eyes twinkling.
 Seems like old times, Lily" were the first words he said to her when they were out of the thickest of the traffic and going along Perry street 1 as if they were skimmins clouds.
 "Please don't talk about old timcs," Lily answered shakily. "If you do. I'm afraid I'll cry
 She did not mean old times witt him, in particular She Was think irg of all the things that the sight of Staley and his car brought back 10 her-moonlight picnics with the old crowd. dances. fheaters parties
 But Staley misunderstood her "Ncver mind. dearest" he said quickly. You've made mistake but perhaps we can get it all straightened out so that you1l be happy again."
 "Graclous." Lily thought, "Now he thinks I'm getting ready te leave Pat.-Just because came ou' for a ride with him--'Oh my Aunt Eliza.'
 She felt Staley's hand on hct shoulder. and.hcr whole body stlff' cned. She didn't want his arm there around her, his hand pressing arainst her. She might Dt thoroughly angry with Pat. and sick of the way she had to work for hin and go without things. But tha didn't meln that she wanted Stale, Drummond to touch her.
 She sat up straight in her seat Its just that ! have to work st
 hard, Staley." She tried to maA' things clear to him. And l don
 have anything-Why, do you know I haven't any decent talcum powder
 even, any more. and only one littl'
 mcasiy bottle of perfume! - Ina
 sounds silly to you. l know. to raw
 over little things like that. but the!
 mean Il lot to girl! - l shouldn'
 talk like this to you"
 They were in Macomber Pari
 now, and Staley suddenly stopped
 the car under some trees beside tn the little lake there. "1 can't tall