The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-02-14
Chapter n y.
Avid Curiosity


interest into Noes strange
summer. This is charming - il
must be fun working here" she
told him when they visited the re-
modelled barn on Sunday
EhlerS, showing her about, Was
like little boy with whole flock
of new toys. He had hel examine
the lighting effects. explained the
new drops that were coming up
from New York.
Together they read some of the
manuscripts EhlerS mad brought
with him Under the shady tree for
the few afternoons hS was there.
and in the staid old Victorian par
lor on nights after their early sup
per.
Noel missed him when ne moved
up to Weston and the nucleus OF
his company Joined him. She was
nervously restless A dozen times
she was on the verge of gong oack
to New York-asking SWanStrom' S
advice. Shed have to d. something
soon There was the fall season
ahead-She couldn't afford TO. be
idle. Board at Mrs Winters was
ridiculously cheap: she had no
other expenses except the money
she spent to be driven over to the
Weston Playhouse. 10
"Why don't you come on over
here?s EhlerS asked her the second
time she went over and watched a
rehearsal. You're bored now.
can tell. And that's the worst thing
in the world for an actress"
"You mean you'd give me part
in your plays?"
EhlerS was exuberant. IF only
you would" He was planning her
vehicle already. "Now i've got a
play that needs someone like you
=" He was off on a wild rush Of
enthusiasm, trying to persuade
her. "We can't pay your salary.
Noel" she was Noel to him now
but as long as you're up here
-"
"Tll do it." Noel decided impul-
siyely.
Most of Ehlers group were very
young-and burning with a desire
for theatrical fame Noel telt old
sometimes. talking to these Chill
dren." as she called them The
character players were older
troupers who had lost their illu-
sions-Success had missed them.
Not Now ,s:4 "
NOEL was thinking of New York
" and its associations, today The
papers had come up and on the
sailing list of the Eland she saw
David'S name. He was going on
the cruise!
To everyone but Ehlers Noel was
Miss Martin and. strangely enough.
no one realized she was Noel Mar
chand. "Such is a little success on
Broadway" she exclaimed to En-
lers, little disappointedly.
They'd be amazed to think of
your leaving a New York hit-for
this sort of thing" Ehlers' eyes
took on an impish CLEAN. "I'd like
to tell theml"
"No-not now" Noel protested
She was having fun.
The troupe. when not rehears.
ing, painted scenery. fixed up the
sets, or sat around and talked Of
the big things to come Noel en-
WED them their enthusiasm She
wanted to say, 1T won't be like
you dream it at all. There'll be the
thrill OF an opening, the satlsfac.
ton OF long run-if you re lucky
But New York can be more lonely
than any small town on the road
But she listened quietly. instead
The first evening performance
brought out a surprisingly smar'
audience. Summer colonists from
nearby resorts, and sprinkling al
the tbwnsfolk, filled the atmos.
pherie old barn There was an in.
formality about the occasion you
didn't get in big city theater. The
audience applauded spontaneously
mot politely. And Noel never had
a better reception! They called hel
back again and again. She could
hear a buzz of appreciation from
the front rows.
Afterwards Ehlers brought q
tall. stately. middle-aged woman
to meet her. This is Mrs. Bannis-
ter. Miss Martin. She's quite cap
tivated by your work" There was
twinkle in Ehlers' eyes. He threw
a quick glance at Noel. as much as
to say, IF the lady only knew"
You're splendid actress, Miss
Martin. You belong in New York.
Mrs. Bannister offered. Her speech
was a combination of friendlineSs
and condescension. I've m y
friends in the theater." she said
that with an intimate touch. We'll
have to see what We can do for
you"
Noel smiled secretly. To Mrs.
Bannister she eplie d politely,
That's very kind of YOU"
Noel knew she hadn't forgotten
her. At the last performance OF
the weekly engagement, there was
The usual sell-out Saturday night
business. Mrs. Bannister was back.
Noel saw her well down front
when she'd been on the stage few
minutes. She gasped in diSmay, al
most forgot her cue as she saw