The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-01-27

Il was so sorry to hear it. Mother
just told me before you came in"
He handed Noel drink, and one
to his mother. Noel's hand shook
as she raised the slender-stemmed
glass to her lips. The warm liquid
gave her new courage.
"What about the playa" he asked
as he slipped his own drink
'It all depends on how quickly
David recovers," Noel explained.
She hated adding it, but she did:
HES backing the production, you
know"
Isee!" Allan said it slowly and
Noel couldn't know why his words
made her so angry.
II hadn't realized that" Mrs.
Marchand interrupted.
Noel hcsltated. Il didn't know it
mysels-at first"
Mrs Marchcnd broke the silence
that followed. "Pll get on ny
things. Allan's taking US out"
80 Confidential, But
WHILE the oder woman was in
VI the heIrcom, Allan remarked
in Il Sympathetic voice. Don't
Vor 'y-too .rnuch. You must hope
fo~ the best"
He st down beside Noel on the
Given and took her hand in his. 81
hate to see you worried, Noel. 1t
wa~rias ne. too."
She gave him grateful glance
and blinked back the tears In her
eyes. She was so tired from the
trying day. sheSWas thinking, she'd
like to rest her mead a moment on
his shoulder. It would be so COM
forting. And because she thought
it, she jerked her hand from his
grasp.
They went to Larue's and Allan
chose a table in the farthest corner.
His every action was solicitous for
lIoels comfort. He talked again OF
the Christmas party.
sheldon has job with the
Demarest office" she remarked.
His steady look met Noers. She
smiled her secret appreciation.
I'm so glad to hear it." she told
him.
Hes nice boy" Mrs. March
and interrupted. "NoW that he's
working, I'm sure he'll lose that
moroseness."
Noel remembered that she
hadn't communicated with Elsie
Grant So much had happened
since her return to New York. Sc
cretly she resolved to call the Wey-
me- nth Club in the morning.
David was on her mind all
through the dinner. She kept part
IN the conversati and when they
had finished she went into the
dreSsing-rcom to telephone his
apartment.
"About the same, Miss March
and" Josephs told her again. She
rad to be satisfied with the COM
forting thought his condition was
no worse.
Back in the lobby she said to
Allan:
1T was a delightful dinner,
;hough haven't been such a gay
guest tN
You've 5aen lovely, as always"
|, Mrs Marchend treasured her.
All~n cx1lained he had to stop
off at the club for a while to meet
some business acquaintance.
why don't you go back to the
Lancaster with mother? It's quite
early and I'll return shortly"
Mrs. Marchand was persuasive.
Then. too. Noel dreaded the long
evening alone in her room.
Together in the living-room of
the big Marchand suite, Mrs.
Marchand had Noel take off her
hat. ITS more restful," she Sug-
gested
Amber shadows from the lamp
back of Noel's chair fell on her
softly-waved hair. on one outline
of her pale cheek.
You're so beautiful" Mrs.
Msrchand offered Unexpectedly.
Noel laughed in embarrassment.
I'm not really beautiful. An &C
treSs learns to make herself seem
So"
We'll, Allan thinks so, too. He's
quite fond of you, my dear. But
then, who wouldn't be? You're so
| fine in every way"
Noel blushed. Allan thought her
beautiful. The thought made an ex-
citing circle of emotion around her
heart, Although she willed against
it, she could still feel the causal
kiss in the Claiborne woods-a kiss
to seal a friendship.
Il think Allan is one of the
grandest people I've ever met" she
answered-and in truth.
Mrs. Marchand sighed. He's
been a wonderful son, all I've had
for so long. And the periods he's
been away have been almost un-
endurable. It's hard, Noel, for
woman to be away from the man
who belongs to her-whether it's
husband or son."
More difficult still, Noel thought,
to think too much of a man who
would never belong. She glanced
at Mrs. Marchand, fearful lest the
older woman read her secret
thoughts. Now that she's seen Al
Ian again, the feeling about him
was stronger-not friendship, but
deeper, alarmingly so. The realiza-
ton brought sinking sensation.
She must stop it! At oncei
Then she heard her friend say
ing in a carefully guarded voice:
Its confidential, but want you
to know. Allan and Elaine will be
married, when he returns from
South America"
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