The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-02-11
&c Chapter Is
Il Don't Love Him

Cnapter 20
y Don't Love Him
IT WAS following the Saturday
I night performance that the cas-
surprised Noel She had gone as
usual to her. dreSsing-roorn after
taking her final curtain call.
She took her time about remov-
ing tn. makeup, getting into hel
street clothes. She, was, almost
ready when Foster knocked on hel
door. - " - ~
"You're wanted on the stage
Noel" he announced importantly
what tor?" she asked in sur
prise. Who wants pe?"
"Mr. Swanstrom. / guess. You'd
better. come out" )"
IT don't understand. Oh. I'll be
there in a momert." she had ar
flea Douglas might be rehearsine
Rita in her part. But what did he
want with Noel?,
She put on her hat and went out
into the wings. The stage was g
blaze Of light. She saw the whole
company there. Somebody saw
her and yelled, Surprise, Noel!'
Her. name was called a dozer
times, She was so startled, she
stood on the edge of the lighted
space. staring I them half-fright-
ened: The line parted and she saw
a long table, gay with lights and
flowers. A huge white bell had
been hung from the rafters.
Then they were all around her
everyone from Swanstrom to the
stage hands. They were giving Z
party for, Noel. -
Finally shefohnd words. YOU'RE
all so sweet-why did you do thi:
for ine?" -
Bottles of champagne were
opet.ad Big trays of. sandwiches
and platters of canapes were
wheeled on and Noel was led tc
a corner where beribboned pack
ages were, heaped high. =.
Opep them. Miss MarchandI'
one Of the bit players shrjekec
expectantly. Noel was soon buried
IN a mound of paper as she opened
box after box and brought gifts te
view.
"What can l. say?" She turned
TO- them helplessly trying to ex.
press her APPRECIATION. They drank
d toast to her then and somebody
handed her glass of champagne
ITO the incest company I've ever
worked'with. really hate to leave
you" she said. stammering over
the words. II
They sat on, chairs, on the floor
consuming the sandwiches, empty
Ing the wine bottles. One of the
men, thumped on the tinny back
stage, piapo. A few of the. guests
danced. Gerald, who had started
in musical comedy. sang some oi
the old songs.
II was Douglas who helped hel
pack her gifts into q cab. took her
home and went upstairs with, two
laden porters ia tow.
> You'll Ne Back
AFTEk they'd piled the things
"A on the sofa and on tables
Swanstrdm sat down. You're GO
ing TO miss lafl this for d while,
Veil miss you. too. Noel. cafl'i
say | approve, of this sacrifcial
attitude from you giving Up your
work TO- be 2 phlegmatic, stay-at-
h0rna utifaH t%'s'F StFS. 80 {
F.T'm not being sacrificial, as you
call IT," Noel answered him. She
laughedea little, shakily. And
promise you l. won't turn phleg-
matte or. i'li try not to"
She told him, tlien Of The promise
david had made 70 her about re-
turning to the theater IL she want
ed to, later. f.s -.
Youth be back. Swanstromi
voice sounded prophetic. Don
wait too long. Noel" He lauEhe<
spnlogeticaliyl aNow that's q mic.
thing TO be saying to q girl prac.
ticAlly on the eve OF her wedding
Iguess I ought to exit after that
He ] offered his hand. Slut :
meant 1t just the samelr was hi.
parting Shot, as heSWebt out.
IA azytSunday--hoW much ~sh.
wanted Il, Noel ihyin bed, sortihl
her thoughts, putting some thing,
far back into hidden, recesses
thinking Of what was tocome Noe
didn't see, David until the evening
when hestook her to dinner I
It was one Of their most pleasan'
times together. Noel could femem.
Der. David was unusually gay afic
amusing. Noel was in a receptive
attitude. She laughed at his qutps
responded, TO bis mood.
She told him all the details Of
Saturday nights party. She would
show him the gifts, even the crazy
ones. And when she left him, she
realized she hadn't thought toe
often about Allan.
Or Monday. Mrs. Marchand tel
ephoned her. "r'm coming in t
town for a few hours. wonder i
you could have luncheon witt
me"
Noel agreed They. would meet
at the Plaza about one.
She had too much. energy t
spend the whole morning in the
room. So she dressed early anc
decided on a walk down Eiftt
Avenue. " -
June was q lovely month-any
place. L was cool enough now
along the wide street. Noel stopped
for second glances az glamorou'
store windows. At rifty-eightf
Street. she paused entfanced By
the display in a fashionable shop
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