The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-02-17
This II Heaven

n LLAN, SltLlng IOsWdIu III MS
"A chair on the terrace, was hold
ing Noei's hand tightly between
his two palms, as though 1t were
something precious. AS Though ne
would never let go.
Tomorrow you'll be en- your
way to Hollywood and tame. far
oufof our reach. wor's you. Noet:,.
There's not d place in the world
distant enough for that. NoeTs
lips were trembling. She was
afraid to look at him-afraid he
would read what her eyes said so
eloquently.
~It's Just for this little while
you're. here" 1t was as though ne
could hardly bear TO say it. And
I don't know when l may see you
again. Probably some day in a
fReater you'n appear on the screen
and ri say, That's Noef Mar
chand. ] knew her one year. !
wonder If she remembers me.
He Let 90 her hand. leaned back
In the chair, suddenly looking
tired. "But do you know what my
heart will say, Noel?" He was
compelling her eyes to meet his.
His eyes were pinpoints OF light,
like a fame sending her blood
racing.
Whatever it was his heart would
be saying, Noel didn't hear-then.
fI brought you tea" Annie came
round the corner to where they
were sitting, carrying the huge
silver tray.
Noel could have cried In her
disappointment. The moment was
gone, maybe forever. Soon she
would be going-when would she
see Allan again?
shall ] pour you some tea?"
The cup ratified against its saucer
az Noel lifted them from the tray.
Her hands were trembling: tears
she was trying to keep back stung
her eyes. Please, please, make him
say it-just once, she was praying;
lean be happy remembering it for
the rest Of my life.
Allan put down the tea, un-
touched. He seemed to be thinking
deeply. He must tell her what it
was his heart would be saying.
some day.
"You didn't tell me, Allan" 1t
took courage-and kind of des-
perate need-to bring. the words
out.
Don't you know, NoeI?" His
ewes were hunprily upon her. She
felt them burning right into her
heart. The sun was now burnt
orange ball in the west. The sink .
ing rays seemed to envelop them
in a mellow warmth. The whole
world seemed to sing with him
when he said it, sitting across
from her:
81 love you, Noel. I think must
have loved you from the very be-
ginning"
Noel went over. and sat on the
grass at his feet. "And / love you,
Allan. for so longI can't remem-
Der anything before it."
"Now it's too late" There was
doom in his words.
Noel raised herself on her knees,
touched his cheek lovingly. mo.
it's not" the words poured in q
rush-"it can't be too late: MOTH
ing else matters" Shed forgot
ten Hollywood and everything
else.
Adams arms held her close to
him. Their lips met were held in
a passionate exchange. Darling"
he murmured, still keeping her
tighs' in his embrace. They looked
at each other. close together. dis
covering the glory of love.
And when Noel sank back on
the grass. she dropped her head
on his knees. held on to the arm
round her shoulder. This is
heaven. Allan" she said dreamily.
why didn't you tell me before?"
"A Matter OF Hours
THEY talked of their love as
Il though il were rapture they
were the first to discover. When
he said. Darling" she seemed to
{; e wings
"I'n never leave you." she told
him, sure of herself.
"It's only a matter Of hours"
His voice held pain. Ina few days
you'll be so far away. Noel. that
today will seem like: a dream"
81 don't have to GO" She said
il determinedly. "I'll say Eve
changed my mind"
you'll 20. / wouldn't keep you
here. Noel. If ] could. II will be
autumn. before this sitting around
like a battered creature is over"
..'Plhceine back then" she prom.
ised. "When you send for me-"
Allan's lips smiled agreement.
His eyes were saying:g That's
what you think now-but you'll
never come back" Awkwardiy, he
got up from the chair, leaned on
his cane. He looked down at Noel.
Don't move for a moment" he
said in soft, husky tones 81 want
TO remember you, just like that
the way you look there" There
was a white line around; his lips,
his skin looked tightly drawn over
his cheek bones.
The tears were on Noei's cheeks
when she arose and put her arms
around his neck. 81 can't do it"
she sobbed. aAllan, make me stay
here-dou't let me 90 now"
He talked soothingly now, gave
her some of his own courage. Noel
knew he was right. Shed given
her promise to Criterion. With her
arm through his, they walked
slowly back across the terrace,
round the house to the front steps.
She dried her eyes quickly.
"Pd better be starting" She
couldn't bear to look at his face
as she said il. ooh, Allan, promise
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