The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-02-14
NEW YEARS LOVE
by angela L0rdes1

the second-string critic on the New
York Star The man was smiling
cynically - she couldn't keep her
eyes away from him While she
was playing in Susan is Waiting"
he had come bac.i:tage for an in
terView She knew she'd have to
see him again tonIghti
whats the idea?" he asked
when Mrs. Bannister brought him
back to Noel's' tiny improvised
dressing room, after the perform
who was Watching Noel's express
sion and his voice was satiricaL q
| little triumphant too: ..
Whats Noel Marchand doing
here with the name of Martina"
His eyes were bright with avid
curiosity, as though sensing a mys-
terry He was probing
II was here on vacation"
Noel's face was scarlet. She was
angry, too. at Greene's tell me the
secret" manner "Mr. Ehlers sug-
geSted | play this part--it inter
ested me That's all. MIR. Greer"
there really no mystery
|. How charmlng-l should
known" Mrs Bannister was flat
tering. Noel was politely respon-
sive Finally she said;
will you excuse me now-I'd
like 10 get out of this costume
Greene left with his hostess At
the door he turned his head His
enigmatic smile suggested: I've
caught you this time, Noel March
and"
Wonderfully Peaceful
WELL. it's out now Noel
Vsank YEARLY intD hr' ~rair.
Ehlers told Der Sympath ,:
"You 'eMpscted som ike
this. didn't sYddI Noel?"
II might as well 90 back "a New
York - it's beer wonderfully
peaceful here, working with YOU"
Noel gave him an appreciative
smile Il guess | ought to get IN
touch with Swanstrom. | know he's
furious-but perhaps he'll forgive
me-" Noel thought she'd made a
mess Of things How could she be-
lleve that by running await had
been coWardly -she could solve
her own problems?
We'll be darn sorry to see you
CO." Ehlers sounded sincerely re-
gretful.
They talked about her leaving
when they lunched together next
day. Some day this week. I'll go
into town." Noel told Ehlers
On Monday. because there was
nothing else to do. Noel strolled
over to the theater. She sat in the
rear and watched Ehlers whipping
the embryonic artists into their
first rehearsal During a pause in
the activities. some of the cast saw
her.
Betty Garland. the ingenue in
this weeks production, ran down
the aisle and exclaimed with awe
in her voice, Miss Marchand-we
didn't knoW-we should have. I'm
thrilled to have worked with
YOU"
: Ehlers, ambling up to them, m
terrupted, Never mind, Betty
Brush I'D on those lines. | want to
talk to Noel"
He took Noel through the wide
exit. his arm holding hers tightly.
Too bad-about that story. Silly
stuff. to write"
What story?" Noel had a pre-
mopition = it was Greene. OF
course.
Haven't you seen it?" Ehlers
was frankly surprised. He fumbled
awkwardly. an this mornings
Star. The gangs been eating it up"
Ehlers got her the copy. left her
alone. There it was on the first
page of the second section-the
two-column head. over picture of
Noel. With fear that mounted 10
anger as she read it. Noel went
through the whole thing. Part was
the truth. the rest was supposition.
and reporting the rumors on
Broadway.
The gist of the ticle was that
Noel had left Susan is Waiting"
the same night she Tilted the
wealthy man she was to marry
practically on the eve of the we'd
ding Had disappeared. leaving no
trace. And had been discovered
under another name playing in a
small summer stock company.
Every detail was there her
present whereabouts. her record in
the theater Tears of fury filled
NoePs eyes. She hurried back to
the inn. ,rqsr bf.f
"New York's Been calling you"
the lanky proprietor of the place
Informed her. Several times" He
was obviously impressed.
Thank you," was all Noel re-
piled.
Shall get them for you?" The
man, curiously watching her. was
reaching for the phone.
[ Noel declined and started for her
room.
I'm going back to Mrs. Win
ters," she told Ehlers, after she'd
hurriedly packed her bags. 81 don't
want to talk to anyone now. Why
can't they let me alone?"
1t was to the comparative quiet
of Mrs. Winters house that Ehlers
brought thick-set young man two
mornings later. This is Mike
Howe Of Criterion Productions,
he told Noel HE wants to arrange
screen test for you"
Noel turned angrily on the Wis
itor. tive played three seasons on
Broadway. and Hollywood wasn't
interested in my work. Now be-
cause lot is printed about me.
you think maybe Pll do"
Il wouldn't say that. Miss
Marchand,n Howe replied placat-
ingly. "a test doesn't mean con-
tract-even in HOLLYWOOD. But it's
ksm nH fNN Va, - H.