The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-02-07

your peTmlSSlOU, we IL Operate To-
night"
A pitiful cry was the only an
Swer the mother made then. She
swayed. Noel's arms held her
erect.
"I'll be all right" she promised.
DO everything possiblel" she
cried. "You've got to- save himw
Her hands clutched the doctors
coat, Her body stiffeped. Noel
wiped the tear-stained cheeks.
Let me see him now" Her voice
cracked.
Aifan's eyes were closed when
they saw him. A bandage was
round his forehead, there was
cut on his swollen upper lip.
7"My baby!" Mrs. Marchand
leaned down over the figure. She
cried quietly and lightly touched
the covered shoulder. Hes Sleep
ing" she whispered as she turned
to Noel who stood behind her.
staring at the helpless form.
Noel nodded reaSsuringly as she
fought back the tears. But she
knew better. Allan was unconsci-
Gus. The doctor touched her arm
and indicated they were to leave.
How did it happen?" Noel
asked.
'They crashed into pole. The
young woman who was driving is
upstairs"
elaine? Is she hurt?" Mrs. Mar
chand inquired.
"Just slight Commissions. She'll be
able to leave in the morning."
.e8 Too Tense For Talking
"VOUVEagot to be brave. DEAR"
l Noel pleaded when she and
Mrs. Marchand were in the little
room. the door closed behind them.
She didn't feel brave herself.
Every time she heard step out
side, she jumped up to the door.
Once she saw them wheeling a
table to the elevator. She shut the
door quickly before Mrs. Mar
chand should know.
They were too tense for talking.
No tears fell now from Mrs. Mar
chand's eyes. She was a stole,
keeping a vigil. concealing her
agony beneath stony exterior.
Noel had no idea how long they
waited. It seemed ages. Suddenly
she remembered David down.
stairs. I'D better explain to
David" she told Mrs. Marchand.
Il won't be gone long" She hated
to leave Adams mother for an
instant so she hurried down to the
waiting-room.
Hes quite badly injured" she
told David. They're operating
now"
1--WE can telephone later from
New York." he suggested.
"I'm staying here" Noeps voice
should think anything else. "But
you needn't wait. David" She saw
the angry look on his face. Pla-
catingly she explained. II can't
leave Mrs. Marchand alone here"
David was persuaded, over his
protests that he hated to leave
Noel alone. She kissed him goodby
quickly--didn't wait until he left
the building. She. rushed back to
Mrs. Marchand. still sitting there
so 'pathetically still.
:, Hours later. it seemed, someone
Enucked on the door. would you
like some coffee?" a uniformed at
tendant inquired solicitously. Mrs.
Marchand declined.
The black. night was departing;
there was a gray streak in the sky
through the window when a nurse
opened the door and announced.
You can come now"
Trembling, Mrs. Marchand
leaned on Noel's arm. She seemed
to gather fresh courage as they
entered Allan's room. He was
lying in be-. again in a deep
stupor. The smell Of ether filled
the room. The nurse wouldn't let
them near the bed. They just stood
at the foot, the older woman muir
nuring words too low for the
others to understand.
He'll be waking in an hour or
So" the nurse explained in her
calm professional voice. And then
added, II think you'd better leave
him until then"
He'll be better, them" Noel
whispered and some of the weight
in her heart lifted at the answer
1.-THE doctor says, he has an ex-
cellent chance, as.,ra 81"
Cant we .swait until he's
awaken" Mrs Marchand asked
pleadingly in the hall outside.
We'll wait" Noel assured her.
Mrs. Marchand wouldn't leave
the floor. She did consent to sit
in the room across the hall with
Noel. But she was at such tension
she asked several times, isn't it
time for Allan to wake YETI"
When she was finally taken into
the room, Noel remained.
He'd like to see you alone" she
said softly.
In a few minutes Allan's mother
came YEARLY to join her. "He's
still semi-conscious but he knew
me-" Her eyes had lost their
deadened look, her face was less
CHASTITY white. would you like to
look at him, Noel?" she suggested.
Noel could only nod her eager
ness to see Allan.
The nurse was fixing some medi-
cine at the table when she tiptoed
in, She leaned over the bed. Her
lips touched the green-tinted
cheek ..Allan, dear" Her voice
was such: q soft sound even the
nurse couldn't hear il.
The eyes opened. f1ickered, then
fixed themselves on the face above.
Noel" His bruised lips formed
her name ah7oe.
She caught her breath. She was
sure they also said. eDarlingl"