The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-01-31
NEW YEARS LOVE
by angela Loraen

Gerald, If you don't give me
this time to myself won't be
ready for our cue"
swell house." The assistant di-
rector stuck his head in the door,
smiled and was gone. -.
David and Mrs. Marchand were
out front. She had come back from
Claiborne for the opening. Tele-
grams and flowers were arriving
for Noel. Clarabelfe. the dark
maid, read the cards as Noel ap-
piled her mascara.
with love and best wishes" on
basket of white orchids from
David. Roses from Mrs. Marchand.
Noel was touched by the bouquet
f,lom Mrs. Barton and the wire
from Janice Smith. They remem-
bered!
"Oh, my. but they're pretty"
Clarabelle was lifting a huge
buncl of white violets. She
glanced at the card and slowly
read:
"I'm with you in spirit tonight.
Good luck Noel"
cts signed Allan" the maid
mentioned.
Noel turned in her chair "Give
them to me-" Her voice was ex-
cited. Clarabelle stared at her in
surprise. Noel buried her face in
the violets.
"rm wearing these with my,
white dress. instead of gardenias,"
she said.
"They, won't look so we'll, Miss
Marchand." Clarabel1e protested
but at Noel's expression she closed
her lips tightly. And took the
white dress from its hanger. ~
A knock on the door-fifteen
minutes before curtain. Another
knock in what seemed like an
instant; Noel must go out in the
wings.
Not Gerald. But Allan
COMEHOW she was out on the
> stage, bowling to polite APP
plause. An electrical moon was
over her shoulder-the scene was
garden, scent of the violets at
her waist was waited up towards
her. She was Susan, saying goodby
to Paul who was Gerald. Swan
Strom had been afraid of the cur
tain scene from the beginning.
Noel went through the early
lines capably. She was giving her
best as an actress. The audience
was attentive. beyond that she
didn't know what they were think
ing.
Gerald was asking it in his deep
vibrant voice, Stimulating the
agony of parting.
Suddenly he wasn't Gerald
but Allan. Noel picked her, cue
up as in a dream. She said the
right lines. saying them to Allan.
Gerald reacted to her fervor. They
went through the parting as at no
rehearsal. She was standing alone,
touching her violets, heartbroken
figure as the curtain came down.
The applause was tremendous
she was called. back again and
again. It was not mere politeneSs.
but an enthusiastic ovation.
"You were. marvelous!" Swan
strom Rugged her. back in her
dIessing-room. then left her to
change for the second act. "It's
hit" he shouted exuberantly when
the las. act was over and Noel
had taken Sc ven curtain calls.
David came back, and Mrs.
Merchandise did many others.
f''oel knew by those others, the
pay looked like success. They
were the people who followed the
winners.
You were superb. darling"
David whispered. Mrs. Marchand
kissed her. II wish Allan could
have seen you"
Later they cleared out and Noel
changed into supper clothes.
David. elated. had invited the
Swanstroms and several others to
supper at The Dorkan.
It was gay party. But Noel was
tired. David. sensing her weari-
ness. saw to it that they didn't
stay too long. They dropped Mrs.
Marchand at her hotel and David
put his arm comfortingly around
Noel as they rode the rest of the
distance together.
you're to get right to bed and
don't think of the play or anything
else until morning You've had
| enough for one night"
Alone in her suite-Noel had
changed from her small room a
| few days before - she glanced
refund at the flowers that filled
the living-room.. Clarabelle had
brought them all in a taxi. The
Eviolets we're whiting in fiat crys-
tai bowl.
"I'm with you to night in spirit"
Noel read again on the card she
hSt put in her. purse. She put her
| lips to the messa&e. Sweet Allan,
not to forget: He was so far away
il Chile-yet his smiling face was
before her.
The morning reviews were most
! favorable. A few of the more en-
| thusiastic critics raved about
Noel's performance. Even the con-
sentative reports mentioned her
first act curtain scene.
David came while Noel was
having her coffee. He brought
more papers.
I'm so glad you'll get your
money back, David" she told him.
That's the least important thing
Of all, darling" he said holding
her closely. He was gentle and
sweet and she touched his cheek
in affection. you've been wonder
full. David"
David drew a chair close TO hers.
well, your plays a success, isn't
/. dearest? That's what we wanted
first" He reached for her hand.