New Britain herald., 1928-02-07

II wanted to bc sure ! didn't wal before the tall white building whers Staley Drummond had his offices. She had telephoned him at nooi that she would be there at that time and at exactly one minute after the hour he appeared in the doorway. | Lily looked him over. His skin that always was fresh and pink a. If 1t had just been massaged. hi sleek hair and neatly-trimmed little mustache, his perfectly pressed clothes and bright silk tie. :,
 There was no doubt that he wa. very good looking. and that he die not look anywhere near his age.
 He came across the sidewalk tt
 her. and his eyes seemed to measure her and study her as if he did no, understand her. He opened the dool of her fathers car. dusty and rain. spattered from standing for days ir the Frances side yard.
 What will we do with your car.
 have mine here, too." he wanted to know. and then Lily saw tha, his own car had come up alongside hers. with his Japanese chauffeu. at the wheel.
 Cant you have your man drive this car to your house? And then
 we can 60 in yours together Lii, suggested to him. And in three min- utee they were in it. and starting out from the packed. noisy business district towards the wide lawns anG trees and spacious houses of the fashionable suburbs that lay to tho
 west of the town.
 T want to see you in your owil ! house today" she had said to. him
 over the telephone that noon. "I'l! come down to your office for you at 1 five and we'll drive out together, ch 1 what? There's something l want to say to you"
 She knew that he was curious to hear what she had to tell him. She could feel his questioning eyes on :, her face every now and then as he l steered the car through the late aft
 ornoon traffic.
 i T suppose you thought I was in sane when you heard I'd gone down ! to Pats house." she began, when they were turning into the driveway ! of his big. proud house. set in its
 gardens like a jewel. II wrote you
 two letters. but didn't send either
 one. I knew you'd understand that
 felt I had to go. just because Pat
 was my husband once upon a time .' He gave her a sharp look as he helped her out of the car. Was that why you went?" he asked. "res-that was why I went. in the ! beginning" Lily said, going up the steps beside him.
 Ito, in his white linen jacket flung open the front door. and his face was rad diant with smile of welcome that crinkled mp his almond-shaped cyos at the corners and seemed to
 squeeZe the rest of his face into 2 i tight ball.
 Lets have some lea or some- thing. shall wc?" asked Staley. an,l i they went into the hig living room
 on the left side of the hall. It was
 filled with a heavy sweet odor of fresh-cut roses. and the late after
 room sunlight gilded it with magic They sat down on a wide eoucf
 in the bay window. and Ito brought tea in with unbelievable swiftness. "T phonei to tell him you were coming this afternoon" Staley said. in his quiet. courteous way. watch ing Lily pour tea for herself and q cocktail from q frosted silver shak CT for him. Aren't you drinking?" lily shook her head and tried 10 smile. "No-rn & reformed cha~. artcr. Stalcr." she told him. That's part Of what I wanted to tell you
 today"
 Stalnv raised his eyebrows and took thre, or four roses from a vase on the smoking table beside the lonree where they sat.
 Put these on. dear" he said. "Or turn around and I'll pin them on your coat for you.'
 1-uV nelu oul I'T HdH0 1oT tlf1ll. i 'Int me take them" she said. rot wsnting him 70 touch her. She swung around and faced him squareiy.
 "Plea.e listan 10 me told you ] was a reformed character" she said flushing with emharra ssment. Y ! was going to be painfully difficult to
 sav all the things that were in her mind 10 Stalev.
 "Iet ma start from the begin
 ming" ehe cleared her throat. 'I told you I went down to tho France'r
 house because l thought ought to he there if Pat died-because ii
 would look better if were there" Staley nodded and she went on
 "Wcll. that isn't why went. ] 1 thought it was the reason, but it wasn't. I went beca use I still loved him. was angry with him, and ] hated him. but loved him, too"
 She tossed her head. T know you despise n, for being Nike that.
 staley. and don't blame you. I've been unfair to you. made up my