The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-01-21
Chapter Seven
Preparations

OHdpLeI oeVeu
Preparations
Il OUGHT to feel gay about the
i holiday, but ] don'tl" David's
voice was accusing.
Il was two days before Christ
mas. Noel and he mad Just finished
luncheon in the living-roon of Da-
vid's Fifty-seventh Street apart
ment and they were standing by
the window, looking out over the
cold East River.
" Noel was taking the afternoon
train to Claiborne. A few hours
later, David would board the boat
for a short Christmas cruise %
Bermuda. She knew he was blam-
ing her somehow because he was
going alone.
"The trip will be good for you. !"
Noel offered timidlyi
For answer, he pulled her close
TO him. "Oh. Noel! You're being so
cruelI" 80
She suffered his embrace for a
moment, But when he Kissed her as
thougi he couldp't>let iler go. she
drew back.
"David, isn't it time for me to be
leaving?" Noel ask edtdasperately
Vitality seemed gone from his
voice as he answered. Il guess so "
But he wasn't finished. vet From
his pocket. David drew out small
box and opened it, Noel couldn't
resist a gasp # admiration for the
beautiful square emerald set in q
thin platinum band.
David reached for her left hand
"Will you wear it here?" His
own finely formed hand. holding
her finger.
Noel thought she would cry
don't want to hurt him. she
thought But she managed Quav-
ering protest.
att wouldn't OF fair: when feel
z I do"
T-see." David dropped her
hand Noel saw his lips tremble
After a trying interval of silence
he reached for her right hand
Then wan, youto have it. any
way. got it for YOU" Noel protest.
ed but he slipped on II ring "The
stone Is like you., Noel, beautiful
in a cool mysterious way But
there's fire deep in it7-for some
people" '
Noel was -rying. "You're such
a wonderful friend, David | wish
could feel as yo want me to-"
David WINGED at that but he
patted her shoulder md kissed her
lightly on the. forehead.
Don't cry. angel chilu.'". sooth-
ingly he TOLD her. "We can't help
our emotions"
They left soon after. stopped at
Noel; hotel t.M her luggage At
the station when Davi saw her
into the trim he admonishe her:
BE a good girl and have a nice
Christmas. I'll telephone you when
| get back" Caressirgly nc pulled
the collar under her chin "Pll
think of YOU =, erv moment. Noel !"
Noel kissed him quickly and he
went out of the car a mist came
between her md the disappearing
figure. The train started slowly
Towns, fields of white. ice-laden
bare limbs of trees made kaleido-
scopic scenery out the window as
Noel rode the miles toward Clai-
borne. She had a feeling she was
somehow to blame, that she'd
spoiled David's christmas tor HIM
Through the few hours Of the mo-
notonous journey she thought of
David his kinl .esS to IeT AS they
neared Claiborne. she threw off the
mood of introspectlon anC when
they reached the station say, Allan
Ceilings smiling face on the plat
= .sk
A Snowfall
NOEL waved from thu steps She
~ felt his hand GRASP hers warm.
ly
Hello. there. His Ioic, was as
friendly. "YouT fellow conspira.
tors back at the house. Impatient
ly waiting yol, coming" Noel
looked up INTO his face. answered
his welcome While he took. her
luggage and ed her toward a
parked car az the bacl, of the sta.
ton. she saw before her a scene
that looked ike the painting of an
old fashioned Christmas
Didn't I :ronise you fresh
snowfall?" n. asked ioviallv 1T
came in the night" He was wrap
ping a robe ar,uT.d her feet Noel
snuapled into the seat beside him
and they were off through the wide
road. bordered with snow-coated
trees.
"Your unseen guests W be here
tomorrow" Allan told he- as they
sped around a bend.
aren't they your guests. too?"
she asked. -
swell. they're not what I'd ask
for" Allan's voice was coolish. But
he added encouragingly, "Iu play
the host to a fare-thee- we'll Don't
worry about that. Noel.
I'm not worrying about any
thing you do" she replied.
Where the road narrowed. they
turned into a cleared-off driveway
and Noel saw a rambling white
house. nestled among tai trees. It
was such a place as she'd dreamed
or having for her own. Well. she
was here-and Christmas was