The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-01-23
Chapter Nine
Merry Christmas!


you've helped make mine
happier"
Mrs. Marchand. wrapped in a
woody white robe. bent over NoeI's
bed and kissed her.
The younger girl sat up quickly
and returned the affectionate ,ges-
ture. Her dark curls were tousled,
her eyes opened widely to meet the
morning sun pouring in through
the two east windows.
mas for me-" Noel replied. And
for the others, too. You deserve a
perfect day for yourself"
Noel got under her shower as
soon as her hostess had gone,
thinking as she put on her dark red
wooden dress of the night before.
Allan had gone into the attic and
found some old toys-things he'd
had when he was a child and that
his mother had stored away.
What a wonderful time it had
been. fixing up the things for little
Misunderstanding off the dust of
years. making tail for the old
hobby horse out of a whisk broom.
polishing the faded drum case. as
sembling the tin soldiers in a mill
tary line under the tree.
Noel was the first to Join Mrs.
Marchand and Allan. He said with
sudden warmth in his voice, F"
Merry Christmas. Noel. You look
like the spirit of the day."
She replied to his greeting. meet
ing his candid eyes with a friend
illness matching his own. Then Mrs.
Marchand gave her a small box.
u hope you'll like it. Marchand
women have worn it a long time.
and / want you to have it"
Noel opened the box and found
a lovely old filigree gold bracelet
with tiny pearls. cts lovely" Noel
said breathlessly, as she put it
around her wrist and Allan fast
ened II for her. Her hair brushed
his shoulder as she bent her head
to help him. She looked ur to find
him flushed and she said quickly
Thank YOU" turning away.
This is Merry Christmas from
me-" Allan followed her over to
the fireplace giving her a long thin
writing case in morocco.
You're both so wonderful to
me" was all Noel could say.
Then the others came in, one
after another and the room was
filled with excitement and voices
as the Yule wishes were ex-
changed.
as Jimmy awake yet?" Allan
asked his mother.
Annie went up to see." Mrs
Marchand replied. "But let's see
what's in all those packages in the
meantime. shall WEI"
Gaily wrapped boxes were dis
tributed and there were delighted
EXPLANATIONS as each gift was un-
wrapped. When Mrs. Marchand
held no a fragile cashmere Jacket
with little archid bowknots. Elsie
Grant blushed and stammered:
II knew you'd be beautiful:
didn't know you'd be so Young. Or
I'd have made something else"
TITS lust perfect: I'll love wear
ing it," Mrs Marchand treasured
her. Each gift from her guests. who
until Yesterday had been strangers.
brought glimmer of gratitude to
her eyes.
Tall GIistening Tree
IN THE midst of the pleasant con-
fusion, Annie entered the room
carrying little Jimmy in her arms
He was wrapped in a sweater of
Allan's and at sight of the tall. glis-
tening tree with its colored lights
he blinked his eyes. Then he
caught sight of the TOYS and was
out OF IAnnse's arms, across the
room 10 the horse and the drum.
ibid Santa Claus bring all these
for me?" he asked his mother who
Mad followed Annie Mary John
sons glance went from her son.
joyfully exclaiming over the gifts
to the faces around her. A sob
broke from her throat and she
turned TO the doorway.
Mrs. Marchard followed her.
I'VE loved doing it for Jimmy"
she said simply.
Noel handed Mrs. johnson the
boxes set aside for her. Only the
others knew of the last minute
search among their own possess
sions to find something for the
tired wayfarer who'd found her
way TO this door. A silk slip of
Noel's. warm wooden gloves Mrs.
Marchand had taken from her own
room. even fragile chiffon hand
kerchief from Janice Smith.
At'this moment Noel saw Tom
my Sheldon holding his gifts. His
face looked white. his lips were
drawn tightly. She thought there
was something tragic about him
and she was glad that in a moment
Allan unobtrusively walked over
to Tommy and talked with him;
The cav breakfast with its talk
ing and laughter over. Mrs. March
and said to her guests: :.
Were going to church and wed
like TO have those of you who wish
,-..kL .,e