The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-02-08


ously imam automobile accident.
Chapter ~
I'm Jealous
ON the doctors assurance there
~ would he no change in Allans
condition for hours, Noel suggested
70 Mrs. Marchand they return to
New York.
'Xou can rest for a few hours
and come back later today" Noel
urged Allan's mother. The older.
woman was loath to leave the hos
pital evan for q moment.
Would they permit me. to stay
ihere7 Gould I get a room in the
building? He might waken while
I'm not here" The tired voice was
pleading pittfully. Noel made in.
Quiries at the Office, The hospital
officials suggested an inn down the
road.
David,s4 car. driven by jackson,
was waiting at the hospital exit.
They stopped at the inn, reserved
q room Tor Mrs. Marchand and
Noel arranged to have the driver
bring back things the older woman
would be needing.
'T1l cali you later" Noel kissed
her friend goodby. you've been
30 brave: now you must rest
you'll need, strength for Allan.
He'd want you totake care Of your
self" E..
Noel realized how exhausted she
was when she sank back, alone in
the comfortable seat, as they drove
into New York. Her eyes burned
In their sockets. her head was
wracked with pain. Her body felt
as though she'd been beaten Sc
verely. Even then she was thinking
otsAllan--hoping for his recovery
seeing him again. lying helpless
in the hospital bed.
Back in her suite, Noel ordered
hot milk and took a warm bath.
She had a performance tonight. No
matter how tragic her thoughts,
she must be there, ready Eventu-
ally she fell into q deep troubled
8lumber and when the telephone
awakened her, it was late after
noon.
II wondered IL you were there"
Dayid,s voice was saying. There
was admonition. and a little self
pity in his tone.
"Yes, I left there early this
morning. Mrs. Marchand's staying
down. Allan's condition is still
serious"
eat least there ID hope" David
said It with conventional solicitude
nothing more. Noel knew he re-
scented her attitude last night. But
there, was nothing measuring she
could tell shifn-she. was still alb
sofbed insher worry about Allan.
And now that she was awake, she
was anxious to conclude the con-
versation 50 she could call the hos
pital in Westbury.
HT'll talk with you later, after
I've dressed" Noel promised Da-
via and abruptly hung up. Without
heEitating she asked the operator
to get her Dr.. Gastonss Hospital.
Has Mr.. Ceilings condition
changed7" abe asked nervously.
The cool impersonal voice at the
other end replied, We're not Civ
ing out any information"
But Unjust find out--please CON-
meet me with the third floor deskl"
She was so insistent, the attend
ant at the other end finally put her
through.
This Is Noel Marchand," she
explained to the. woman who an
BWered. How ID Mr.. Collings?"
Another delay as Noel was told,
sJust q moment. I'll call his
Again Noel gave her name and
repeated her anxious question.
'He,s been sleeping this after
noon." came the cryptic report.
There's no change since this
morning"
Elaine's Fathe-
CUE called David back later. He
9asas out And he didn't come to
the theater that evening. Noel
knew he was angry. Well, she
couldn't blame him. Butthat didn't
change her emotions.
Nor did she let David know she
was returning to Westbury next
morning. She ordered q taxi and
was on her way by nine o'clock.
She didn't dare telephone first
she was afraid the news might be
discoursging.
Good morning, Noell" Mrs.
MaTchand, talking to tall white
haired man greeted Noel in the
corridor outside Allan's door. Her
voice and the bright look in her
eyes gave Noel assurance.
@Allan's doing better than they
expected. The haggard look was
gone from the lovely face that had
seemed so aged yesterday, Then
she introduced the man to Noel
This Is Elaine's father. Miss Mar
chand.n
Noel felt the appraising glance
of the keen eyes fixed on her. How
do you dor" he,offered. Noel knew
he was trying TO place her, wonder,
ing what relati she might be.
Mrs. Marchand realized. too, for
she explained. aNoel Is dear
friend OF ours. MIR. Corey"
He evidently took for granted
she was friend Of his daughters
also. poor ElaineIs he exclaimed.
-She!s collapsed completely. We
fook her horIae last night. She's so