The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-02-06
Chapter 20
1--WE Missed YOu'

"A LIAM offered his case to Noel,
4 took a cigarette for himself. As
he lighted the match, his hand
shook a little. The brief fare threw
his face in bright silhouette. Noel
looked at him calmly.
Strange, how suddenly every
thing had changed for her. One
moment ecstasy with his arms
around her; now, she could reason.
He had kissed her passionately-
and apologized. already regretting
the impulse.
"For a moment you almost con-
WINGED me-" Adams voice was
tense.
Yes, ran through Noeps mind,
a second more and you would have
known what a fool ! could make
of myself over you. She didn't an
swer him; she had no opportunity.
His words took cynical note.
ST almost forget-you're an ex-
cellent actress, Noel"
sThat's not fair" Noeps words
were studied and low. Inside she
was seething. SAT least give me
credit for sincerity" She smiled
too sweetly as she added, Lets
forget it, Allan. You're giving it
undue importance.
The taxi stopped in front Of the
hotel. Allan got out, turned to help
Noel. They went into the lobby
toward the elevators. neither say
ing a word. Better to end this way,
definitely, finally. get him COM
pletely out Of my mind. Noel was
thinking. Allan was stern and
quiet; she couldn't fathom his
thoughts.
At the elevator he stopped, Of
fered his hand.
Don't let's finish the evening
this way" Noel pleaded. Lets be
friends. Come up for moment
and we'll talk-as we used to-"
Allan hesitated. The d o
opened. He followed her into the
lift.
In her living-room Noel turned
on the low table lights and asked
him:
would you like a drink"
81 think I need one." he replied
sheepishly.
Noel went into the pantry, fixed
Scotch and Soda for Allan,
poured some white rock for her
self.
It wasn't much use, though.
They tried to converse pleasantly,
picked up half a dozen topics to
drop them after Spasmodic at
q. tempts. Allan nervously twisted
about in his chair, got up once
and walked around the room then
sat down again.
"When are you being married,
Noel?" he asked suddenly.
She wanted to say, "Why do you
ask that?" Instead, she replied,
sWe're planning on June"
Allan didn't answer her. He
seemed thinking a moment, then
he announced abruptly:
"It's late. and you're tired; ]
think I'll be. going"
~THad To-
sNIOELwent to the door with him.
~ Goodnight, Allan" She Of
,fered her hand. "We're friends
again, aren't wei"
"Yes," Allan said it slowly. Then
more eagerly, sand we'll be see
ing each other soon?"
He was still holding her hand.
seemed to realize it at once. He
let it 60, went out the door and
came back.
.''Noel, ! want you to know what
happened in the cab was no pass
irr: mood on my part. didn't
mean to kiss you'll had to-"
He was gone down the cor
ridor. Letting me off lightly. Noel
thought bitterly--saving my pride.
They said they'd be friends. II
wasn't that easy. Through the fol-
lowing days. they didn't see each
other.
Mrs. Marchand called Noel. SIN
staying in town until summer-to
be with Allan" she announced
happily. Then she wanted to know:
why don't we see you, my dear2
] miss you very much"
Noel made her excuses. She was
busy, the play took most of her
''me, and there were so many
other things coming up. Yes, she'd
phone Mrs. Marchand the first
time she had asfew hours.
Something's wrong with you
these days" David suggested one
night at dinner. He loved her so
much. he, could read her every
mood or supposed he could.
"Belated spring fever, | guess. I"
Noel answered him graphically.
you need a rest" David pre-
scribed.
Noel couldn't help laughing.
The only time ! need a rest, my
dear. is when Pm away from the
stage. The strain of waiting is so
much more taxing than, work"
"Will you miss 1t very much?"
A note Of fear came into David's
words. =
Noel didn't answer him.
well take q long cruise" he
suggested. The North Cape would
be best in summer. You'll love it.
Noel He was speaking quickly,
hlling up gaps. i.
tive bad news. for you" Noel
said the words slowly. Douglas
says he expects me to f,ilfll nv
contract It's for the run Of the
kCcICNIEn tn