The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-02-11

q
enticing enough for any feminine
dreams. Noel. examining the love-
ly soft white gown with its short
train and the veil cunningly cap
ped with fresh white flowers,
wished for a moment she were
being married Like that. With fam
lilies and friends, those who loved
her. and organ music in a church
to make il sacred But, David had
no family-neither did she.
With a sigh she walked son and
heard an exuberant: - =
"HeNo there, Miss Marchand!"
She turned and saw a !. good
looking young blonde. man id we'll
cut tweeds. why, Mr.. Sheldon,
how nice. seeing you againT
They shook hands. May. I walk
with you bit?" Tommy asked
politely. 50 ~
"Of course, I'd like it. We can
talk about-uS," she smilingly ac-
cepted. y
a Long Time
TOMMY suggested they. stop for
L some coffee. In a corner Of the
restaurant, Noel appraised him
across the table.
you're quite the prosperous
young architect--to all appear
anceS.' she told him.
mot quite that, but I'm doing
well" he admitted and added
earnestly. Thanks to Allan COL
lings. He got me the job, a good
one, too. I'm crazy ABOUT it. Noel
laughed at his enthusiasm. -
tive been out In California for
a month. Just got back early this
morning" Tommy explained. II
was, Helping one of the partners
on some important commissions.
In fact | WasjuSt going down to
| the Office when Imet you"
you haven't seen Mr.. Ceilings
yet. tben?" Noel wondered if he
knew about Allan's accident.
Strange he hadn't mentioned it.
She asked him. Tommy was shock
ed by the news.
Where is he?" he asked. Noel
told him the details. She could see
he was anxious to 90. He was
already planning to report at the
Office and rush out to Westbury.
When Noel Joined Mrs. Mar
chand~ in the Plaza lobby. she
spoke of her meeting with Tommy.
But first she asked. "How is AL
LAMP"
Hes getting BETTER Mrs. Mar
chand told her. They've done all
they. can ait the hospital. He's not
happy there" The older woman
had a serious, worried look as she
| wen" on. "Dr.. White Is arranging
to have Allan taken to Claiborne
hell be more contented at
home" ="
Hell be completely well in no
Tine. up there" Noel offered en-
couragingly,
mot that quickly" Mrs. Mar
chand protested. She hesitated,
then She added, at may be long
time before Allan is completely
recovered"
"What do you mean?" Noeps
heart was hammering. She was
caught in a terrible fear.
His back was badly injured
they didn't know until they took
X-Rays yesterday il the injury
would be permanent. Thank God.
Tits only matter Of time and pa
thence for him now"
did Allan know how serious 1t
, WASP" There was hard lump in
Noefs throat.
Mrs. Marchand hesitated. II
think he suspected: but he realizes
now that he. will be perfectly well
one day"
I Allan had known, or suspected,
when she saw. himl Things were
making q misty veil over Noel's
eyes, Her hands were. trembling.
TIN so happy to hear. he'll be all
right" She looked at Mrs. Mar
fchand, not trying to hide her feel
ings. Adams mother patted her
arm. underStandingly.
|. All afternoon. Noeps thoughts
were tumult of conflicting emo
tions. No use deceiving herself
Whatever he, did. whomever he
married, Allan, would always be
first in her heart. '~
douglas. I'd like to talk to you
seriously" she told Swanstrom
when they. met that night in her
dressing room.
/ "You sound ominously serious, 7"
| the producer commented. "I'l see
you after the performance. :"
| When Noel, later had told him
what was on her rnindfand in her
/ heart. without mentioning Allan,
he demonstrated:
"You're. an awful fool-but /
suppose there's no persuading you.
wish that | could. though"
I SIN not going to marry Davidi"
she'd announced quietly. Swan
strom gasped in amazement. his
manner saying WHY NOT? But
he waited.
81 can't don't love him." Noel
was begging Swanstrom to under
stand. at wouldn't be fair-not
the way I feel. ] like him very
Much but | realize now there's
more than just liking in marriage"
Swanstron1 knew she wasn't
giving him the whole story. II was
then he told her vehemently how
foolish she vas.
"And want to conclude my
engagement tonight" She was
calm. on the surface. Swanstron3
thought that. underneath. she was
on the verge of hysteria.
Weakly he tried to diSsuade her.
"If you must. Noel" he finally
agreed. 'Tll get Rita before she
leaves tonight. Well say that you
need rest. But what will YOU
do?" I
Il don't know. Noel said that,