New Britain herald., 1928-01-10

membered with pang that Pat had given her $75 the day she told him she had paid that much for it.
 But, after all. what was one coat for a season: She always had had two or three. That is, until she mar , ricd Pat.
 "Oh, dear." she sighed aloud to the four walls of the tiny apartment, as she picked up the furs and start ed out, locking the door behind her. She appeared at staley's office at high noon. and almost the instant that she gave her name to the office hoy. Staley opened q door marked MIR. DRUMMOND," and beckoned , to her.
 His private office was large and handsome room, with thick rug on the floor, fine pictures on the walls. and very heavy mahogany furniture. Lily laid the furs in a soft heap on the top of the big desk in the middle of the room before she sat down in the chair he held for her. II have 10 bring these back to you II can't wear them," she said to him. in voice that shook, and then she went on to tell him all about Sadye Jefferson and Florence ana Pat the night before.
 Staley listened 10 her without n word, turning and turning 1ead pencil in his fingers and nodding his head now and then.
 When she was through with her story. he got up. hands in pockets. and walked over to the windows, staring out at the sky and the roots and chimney pots. His voice came to her from ove- his shoulder: Well. you can't go on like this. Putting yourself in position where those people can worry you and pry into your business. you know. w.. :. You've got to make up your mind to live according to their lights-or divorce that fellow. It's reached . shakedown, I'd ay. You take today to think it over and then let mo know what yoa want to do tomor- row. will you?" He took her out to lunch. bought i her white orchids for the shoulder 1 of her ccat, box of chocolates. and ! the latest novel,
 1 Then they took the furs back to 1 Hyde and Hyde's store, "We'lt ex- change them for something you can ! wear, but that nobody can see,' Stalcy said.
 ! Lily shook her head. "No," she i said. You bought me the furs to keep me warm. and I'm not going i to take any other present. ] needed the furs-just as needed the clothes for Sues party. But l don't need anything else right now"
 She was afraid to take anything else of value back 10 the house. . Pats eyes. grown suspicious sud denly. would be sure to find it out And he wouli ask questions, and there would be another rumpus - and she did not want to have any
 more trouble. If she left. she was
 going to leave in peace. There had been enough luarreling.
 I'm going to leave my husband
 Staley, I think" she told him whel
 she left him at dusk. ''1f do, IT
 leave tomorrow or the next day
 and then you can buy me anything
 you want to buy me-
 Her plans were not perfectly cleal
 to her, but one thing was. at last
 She was not going to stay with Pa
 any longer and be a human broom
 and dish mop. She was through
 Last night had decided her
 The only thing to do was to ''leav'
 Pat and divorce him. Their life to
 eether had become a nightmare.
 But divorce! What terrible thinf
 it was. thought Lily on her wa.
 home through the cold blue dusk O
 the November day.
 She wondered how she was coint
 10 go through with it. . the frs
 days of separation from Pat. par
 ticularly. They would be terrible.
 For ] do love him." she thought
 "cven if l cant live with him."
 And so. arguing it all out witt
 herself, she made up her mind. Y (TO BE CONT1NCED)