The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-02-06
NEW YEARS LOVE

By ANGELA LOrden

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sessessssssssssssesessses
play, you know--and he's keeping
it open all summer"
David took it calmly. well Ak
that easily" he assured her.
"Swsnstrom will be wanting more
help next year"
"Would It be fair?" Noel knew
she, wanted to put it. that way.
We must consider, You first,
"A few nights later Allan came
backstage. He was sort of shy or
embarrassed at first when Noel
greeted him. r. ,f..,
II only stopped in for a moment
to see you," he explained. Look,
Noel; mother misses you dread
fully. She wonders why we don't
see you any more"
He stammered a little, twisted
his hat round in his hands. eff it's
because of what Representatives,
I made a. fool of myself, I thought
you agreed to forget it."
you're mistaken" Noel, inter-
rupted quickly. We've both for
gotten it. And I've, missed seeing
your mother" Her heart said,
"And / haze missed you, Allan"
"Then when will 1t be?" Allan
wanted to know. "How about din
ner tomorrow night? We could
make it early, in time for you to
get back here"
Noel thought for moment.
Dinners difficult, Allan; it's
always such rush. But I'll call
your mother in the morning and
see if we can have luncheon to-
gether tomorrow"
ssYou'd rather.havei il that way?"
Allan moved aErass TO the door.
Noel followed hnA- She, was COM
posed. It doesn't hurt so much,
seeing him go way from me now
she reasoned. 'sYes. ! think So"
she replied.
Zone Month More
WHEN Noel and Mrs. Marchand
wv met for luncheon the older
woman berated her affectionately:
II thought you'd forgotten JUS.
dear I've wanted to see you so
much"
Noel spenitently explained there
were so many demands on her
tine. She couldn't very well say
to this woman, II couldn't bear
seeing your son, after what hap
pened:"
"I've been doing some shop
ping" she told Mrs. aMarchand
instead. David and ! are going
on cruise to the North Cape. It's
only a month away-my marriage.
you know"
Mrs. Marchand's eyes were ap-
praising yet kindly. aeYou've de-
cided you love David, then?"
Eyes" Noel, made it convincing.
"He's the most wonderful man I've
ever known" She had to say this
for David.
The waiter brought their food.
Noel toyed with her luncheon.
She wasn't hungry at all. Before
they left, Mrs. Marchand said
casually:
"Once, before Allan went back
to South America, I hoped that
you and newell, might fall in
love-"
Noel turned scarlet. She listened
frantically to the next words: u
thought for time you were
shall say?-fond of him."
81 was, and am-as a. friend"
There, she'd managed it beauti-
fully. That was surely convincing.
If only you knew, Noel said to
herself, what that would have
meant to me.
But you couldn't tell q woman
like this: II loved your son: too
bad it wasn't reciprocated. But he
happens to be in love with Elaine
Schuyler and I'm going to marry
David Norris. And right now I'd
like to cry"
She didn't cry, though; not then,
nor later. Not even when pictures
of Elaine and Allan, taken at social
functions together. appeared in
the papers She was sweeter to
David these days, as though she
were deliberately trying to make
up to him for the secret thoughts
she had held for Allan.
"JuSt one month more" David's
voice filed with emotion when he
talked of their,.wedding. He had
persuaded Swanstrom to cancel
Noel's contract from that time.
Rita would go into the lead tenn
porarily.
They were in Noers apartment,
after the theater. David had just
slipped a wide diamond bracelet
around Noel's wrist. For some time
now, ske'd been wearing the emer-
aid on her left hand.
TITS too gorgeous to wearl" Noel
exclaimed as she touched the large
glittering stones. you're much
too eXtravagant, dear"
81 want to buy everything
beautiful ! see for you, my dear
est" David's voice was husky. He
took Noel in his arms. His ardor
left her unmoved but she kissed
him placidly. After we're married,
I'll learn to love him. she told her.
self over and over.
He was grateful for the slightest
display of affection from Noel. He
loved her so much. he never
seemed to tire Of saying It. His
reiterations were interrupted by
the ring of the telephone.
Don't answer it." David sug-
gested He seemed to resent any
intrusion on Noel from the world
outside.
Noel pulled away from him. As
she went over to the desk. she
lifted the instrument and before
she took the receiver from the