The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-02-09
Chapter %
Beautiful Vagueness

NOEL'S angry argument with
David was one emotional out
burst too many for her distract
nerves. She had told him defiant
ly: 81 love Allan Collings!"
And now she burst into hysteri-
cal weeping. David for a momen.
seemed moved by her distress but
his anger at her was not complete
ly abated. He, too. seemed driven
by some force of resentment,
stronger than his own reasoning,
He had turned white at her Signifi-
cant words.
"Noel, don't be a fool! You're
dramatizing a silly infatuation. /
don't believe you!"
Was he saying that to save his
own pride, or to convince Noel?
For he went on, in more concllla-
tory tone:
81 understand you so well, my
dear. His accident has appealed p
your romantic imagination. And
you're. unstrung by the unfortu-
mate experience. t.ls
David took Noel by the shoul-
tiers, not in an effectionate way,
bat as though he would force her
to see the situation as he was pre-
senting It. He looked at her long
and searchingly. shook her body
slightly. She tried to pull away.
His hands were gripping her tight
ly.
You're not the person who'd
waste your affections on man
who didn't care about you! Have
you forgotten he's marrying Mrs.
Schuyler"
That stung deep into Noel's con-
seriousness. She tore away from
his hold finally with a fierce re-
sentful gesture.
You're trying to hurt me as
much as you can. aren't your" she
asked bitterly.
At David's next words, Have
you spared me. Noel?" she cringed.
Her whole attitude changed. The
tears stopped flowing Her eyes
rested on his tortured face. He was
over Allan. Everything was a
mess! Why had she mfde that
crazy. impetuous confession?
I'm sorry!" She appeared to
wilt as she said it. The rebellion
was out of her. Her lips dropped in
despair. I'm terribly, terribly sol :
ry. David More than can tell you!
But. at last you know the truth "
1--WE won't talk about it any more
tonight" was David's final decl-
sion. He didn't touch her, except
with his eyes that now. with the
fury gone out of them, seemed to
caress her. Its been unfortunate,
this whole quarrel-the first one
we've ever had. Noel. I'm sorry
too, that it happened.
soon. we'll have forgotten all
about it," He hesitated before he
added, when we're away from all
this"
After he'd gone. Noel realized
he was still counting on their mar
riage-with all that she'd told him.
How can he? she thought, wonder
ing Asking herself if she would
take Allan on similar terms, she
was very much afraid that she
would.
If Noel had any embarrassment
about seeing David again, he made
it easy for her No word about
Allan, no mention of their argu-
ment!
I'll be out of town for the week.
end. my dear" was all that he said.
Out of Danger
a LIAM improved steadily. He
was out of danger! It was JOY
Gus news for Noel. Since her quar-
rel with David. in a penitential
way. she had not gone out to West
bury. Her daily telephone calls to
Mrs. Marchand kept her posted.
DIR. White say you can see him
tomorrow if it's convenient for you
to come out here" Mrs. Marchand
suggested on Saturday.
Convenient? Noel said she'd be
there. Nothing would have Kept
her away. though she knew there
was no wisdom in such a decision.
Allan was thinner and looked so
awfully weak when she was adj
mitted to his room. The swelling
on his lips had gone down, the cut
was healing.
"Noel, I'm so glad you came"
His voice was weak and thin, too.
Without moving his body, fat on
the bed. he stretched out his hand.
holding hers firmly.
All Noel could say was Hello,
Allan" as she smiled down at him.
She wanted to take his bandageI
head and cradle it against her
breast. She wanted to cry. too,
gazing down at him.
"Sit down, bring your chair to
the bed" He reached for her hand
again, as she sat close to him.
"You gave us quite a shock, for
a while" It sounded inane as she
said it. She was guarding her
words carefully.
Mother told me how good you
were. Noel"
Each time he said her name, he
gave 1t warm, personal meaning.
She loved hearing it from his lips.
1T was pretty bad for her. I'm
me-"
"And now you'll be better soon,
and out of the hospital." Noel was