The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-02-17
NEW YEARS. LOVE
br,AneeIa LOrdess

you TWO cFiidren so 5 er O v
aLout?" she asked with an affec-
tionate rehuke. She stopped sud-
denly, caught in the tenscHess of
tn atmosphere. Whats" She
started to say, Whats wrong?"
but didn't.
II think I'd better &c soon.'
Noel's voice sounded hard. She
was steefing herself against the de-
parture. Wtefl's the next train?"
EN- han an hotir-if you must.
But so soon, NoeI?" Mrs. Marchand
wished She could do something
about Allan-and Noel "Jee Will
drive you down. Would you like
to ride to the station, AHan2"
81 think Motif Noel doesn't
mind"
Allan was standing in the 'shad-
ows of the porch when Noel left.
"Yeu must let us hear from you
| as soon as you get TO- Hollywood.
Mrs. Marchand had her. arm
around Noels waist. "I'll miss you
greatly, my dear. And I'll be wish
/ ing you luck in your work."
"Goodby, Allan" Noel held out
her hand.
81 forgot something Mrs. Mar
cHand went into the house quickly.
She wanted to leave them alone
fo+ a moment. It was hurried
Kiss between them. breathless,
agonized. Even then Noel waited
to have him ask her to+stay.
She thought. on the ride to the
station, she couldn't endure going
away. The best, she was leaving
behind. Hollywood doomed UNI
pleasantly, them ahead Of her.
Several times she almost said to
Joe:
please turn back: I'm not
going"
But she kept silent, quietly cry
ingsin the corner of the back seat.
Through the misery of thes brief
trip there was one triumphant sem
tence pounding in her head:
ALLAN LOVES Me-"
For Always
THE miraculous. b e aut t q
l. knowledge was slim solace as
the distance between them length
ened. On the station platform. she
stood alone and watched Joe am
BILE back to the car.
In the distance Noel could hear
the steam train chugging. Its
smoke made a gray. curl in the
blue sky. Joe was starting the
motor.
"Waity' Noel called tofhim. rum
ming across the platform. Joe took
his hand off thefgear SHIFT. In sur
prise
"I'm not going to- New" York, !"
she announced frantieally. Drive
meback tothe house. joe"
Mrs. Marchand, sitting alone on
the porch, jumped -up~in amaze
ment as Noel rushed up the steps
to her. Where's Ailan?" Noel
asked breathlesslyy.
"He's. in the study" his mother
replied, not able to hide her
amazement. Noel broke downscorn-
pletely.'
"I thought could 60" She was
in the older rworlnan's comforting
arms. II love Allan, too muchi'
Noel. I'm happy. I've known
for a long time it was you that
Allan loved. I've wished so much
for you to be happy together"
Her voice cracked on the words.
Her chin quivered as she said. Go
to Allan, my dear"
Noel walked through the long
hall, knocked on door at the
end.
"Who, is it?" came a muff1ed
voice. She heard Allan's slow shut
fling footsteps.
"It's Noel" She was singing it,
waiting.
The door opened and Allan stood
before her, leaning on his cane.
81 came baek-fer, always" Her
arms went. round his neck. "Say
you're glad. darling"
She could feel his whole body
tremble, pressed against hers.
"You can't send me away now"
She buried her face iraFhis shoulder.
Nothing else matters, as long as
I'm with YOU. I'll help you get
better"
His hand raj Sc d. her. head,
touched her face lovingly. "You
won't regret it?" he asked with
the last ghost of his doubt.
Never. never" she told him.
What will you do about Holly
wood?" he continued.
She laughed happily. They were
on the divan. with. their arms
round each other. you'll see." she
promised mysteriously and then
whispered. 81 love you-did I re-
member to tell your"
Finally she got up from the sofa.
MAY l use the telephone?" He
started to leave the room. mo,
wait with me-" she asked, And
then she picked up the phone,
called the Criterion Offices. When
she was connected with Bill Smith.
she told him: l.
1--WE, decided I'm not going to,
Hollywood. Will you notify Mr..
Bill was yelling back, you're
crazy" and when he had Gained
down to inquire the reason. she
explained:
I'm being married. insteeds
Bill was urging, arguing vene-
Sim sorry, Bill. can't
change my plans. Goodby." She
hung up before he could answer
again.
Her eyes were like blue night
when she turned back to Allan,
snow you'll have to marry me. my
love. I've given up my last job
His answer was wordless-con-