The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-02-10
Chapter "a
An Awful Idiot

CTRANGELY enough, it was Ell
~ sic Grant who gave Noel some
sense OF comfort in the ensuing
hectic days. Without realizing it,
too, she advanced David's cause
with Noel.
On impulse, Noel called Denise's
shop and invited Elsie to have din.
ner with her. Elsie was a different
person than the dispirited young
woman who had joined the Christ
mas party in Claiborne. She was
blossoming-it was the new job.
She was more smartly dressed, too.
Security is a wonderful thing
for a woman, isn't it?" Noel COM
mensed as they sat in her living
room.
I've you to thank for it all. l
don't know how I'll ever repay
you" Elsie's eyes were shining.
FYou don't know what it is to be
5obless-to wonder where your
next weeks rent is coming FROM"
Elsie continued.
"Oh, don't II" Noel was remem-
bering the lean seasons with no
calls from producers bolStering
her courage. She found herself
telling some of this to Elsie, of her
own unhappy period at the Wey-
mouth Club. Are you still there?"
she asked Elsie.
"Yes, | could afford something
better now but Pm afraid not to
save every dollar l can. I'll stay
on a while longer until I'm sure
my place is permanent with Ma
dam Denise"
Noel could understand that; too.
Promise me one thing, Elsie-if
you're ever in any difficulties, will
you let me know at once? I'll have
more than | need for myself"
She was thinking of David and
his wealth. I'm marrying David
Norris in a few weeks" There,
she'd said it with finality. we'll
be away for most of the summer
but I'll keep in touch with you
somehow"
Elsie was trying to wish Noel
happiness with stumbling words.
Her face had a strange look as
though she were remembering
some secret.
Were you ever in love?" Noel
asked unexpectedly. She was sorry
the next moment when she saw e.
sizes reaction. The thin young fig
ure seemed to become tense in the
low chair. Noel had feeling Elsie
resented the question. 80
YES" she finally admitted. st
wasn't pleasant"
Don't talk about it them" Noel
protested.
I'D like tot doesn't hurt any
more" Her voice belied the words.
Il was engaged to be married back
home. A week before our wedding
he eloped with the richest girl in
town. That's why / came to New
York-to forget. Places don't make
much difference when you've been
hurt so bitterly"
I'm sorry" Noel felt her words
so inadequate.
I'D never trust any man againl"
Elsie spoke cynically.
THAT not fair to yourself" Noel
suggested. Il hope you'll be mar
ried happily some day"
IF do it will be for companion
ship-and security" Elsie retorted.
Security. Noel was thinking-how
women cling to the word. She
didn't tell Elsie that's why she had
first promised David-out of fear
of the future and what it might
hold for her.
But she thought about it con-
tin0ously while she went to the
theater. Love only brings misery
there was her own experience, and
Elsie'S.
II was out of this retrospection
that she talked with David after
the performance that night. He
brought up the subject OF the mar
riage ceremony - where would
they have it? Who would be there?
Noel had a sense of closing every
door behind her as she passively
agreed with all his plans. David
had q friend, clergyman up in
Westchester. They'd drive there in
time to come back and board the
Eland for its North Cape Cruise.
If We Waited Awhile 80.
"a RENT you afraid to marry me,
"A David, knowing how I feel,
knowing so much about me?" She
interrupted his eagerly reported
arrangements.
IF you mean -" Whatever he
was going to say he didn't utter.
Instead he looked at her stead
lily, II know you think you don't
love me now, dear. But know, too,
that you'll keep your promises. I'll
teach you to love me-" he said as
though making a solemn pledge.
Perhaps IL we waited a while
There she was again, asking
for more time. Why? What would
il bring her? She couldn't change
anythingl
David seemed frightened. He
protested ardently, mo postpone
ment, not that Noell" Then, SYM
pathetically, you're tired, upset
The plays been q strain on you
and | can understand your reluc-
lance in leaving the stage-that's
been so important to you"
David was generous In strange
ways, Noel thought as he promised
her, az some time IN the future,
you want to 60 back to your work,
II you feel you can't do without It.