The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-01-23
Chapter Eight
Cl,ristnnas Eve


Christmas Eve aoIs
THE worst was oyetL so Noel
u thought. Never would she for.
get the trying moments when
the Ave strangers hidden TO the
Chistnnas party were becoming
acquainted with their unknown
host and hostess.
The informal Eve supper had
been finished and the oddly. as
sorted group were in the living
room, drinking coffee or con1fnenc.
ing the tree trimming prepara.
tions. Archibald Whitaker With
pathetic eagerness was talking
over the old days at school with
Allan. He was gaunt and wrinkied
with that stopped look OF having
spent most Of. his life at a desk.
Tommy Sheldon. the iobless archi-
tect, remained aloof,' answering
when he was addressed; otherwise
staring into the fire with a look
that might be embarrassment or
srrliness.
II lived at the Weymouth Club
once" Noel remarked to Elsie
Grant. the dress designer, whom
Noel suspected found very few
costumes to design. Noel liked her
best of all the guests. ,.,...5 !
Noel glanced over at Janice
Smith. Detective McCarthy's no1l
tnation for the party. She could see
why somebody like Mccarthy
would have felt sorry for this frag-
lie young thing with the wiSpy
blonde :urls. the large blue eyes.
and pale Notwithstanding face.
Noel felt little sorry for her. too
wearing all the wrong things
trying so hard to be gay and enter.
tanning. Her eyes were fixed on
Allan in open admiration. Noel
could understand that.
Mrs. Barton. big and buxoni,
came into the room like a strong
winter wind There was a little too
much vitality about her. to at into
the subdued picture. Shed kept
the conversation going at the din
ner table. and while most Of her
comments had to do with her own
past. the others still II al, ease had
been grateful.
Now she walked to the mantle
over the fireplace and with a Ger.
emonial gesture placed a. square
silver box there.
II want Will to be at the party.
too" she explained. Mrs. March
and cast a puzzled glance at Noel
and Mrs. Barton continued, These
are my dear rusband's ashes and
he goes every place with me-"
Noel caught her breath in
startled establishment and didn't
dare look at the others. After one
quick glance at the box, Mrs. Mar.
chand kept her eyes averted and
Allan. breaking the strained sill
ence. said with composure:
Il think it's time to get at the
tree" And he picked the tall FIR
from its leaning place against the
wide open door To Noel he spoke:
"The basesis out in the barn: !
meant to get il earlier"
Noel, anxious for q brief respite,
replied. "I'n 20 with you. Allan"
Allan got a lantern from the kit
chen and they went out the back
way toward the huge old red barn
at the foot Of the hill.
ITS pretty terrible. isn't it," Al.
Ian asked as his arm through
Noers guided her down the path.
Noel thought so. too. but she
wouldn't admitit.
They'll get together better.
think. while we trim the tree.
After all, 1t does take a little while
for them to get over their strange
ness"
While Allan searched for the
tree base in the eerie empty barn
Noel,s attention wa attracted by q
small corn crib in one Of the cor.
ners. The light Of Adams lantern
fell softly on H.
The Manager
lust like he manger in BethIe-
" hem" she whispered to Tie
dark place and while waiting Oh
Allan she took some dry straw
from the. door and filled the crib
laying on top the spray Of holly
she was wearing on her shoulder
The barn was cold and she thought
Of smother n1anger centuries ago
far away, that had warmed q new
born baby. And because Of that
time old winter night. 1t became
Christmas will. all its lovely mean.
ing for Noel.
Lets leave the lantern in the
doorway" she asked Allan as they
were going. II have a feeling there
ought to be light here My mothei
always had a candle burning in oul
window through Christmas Eve.
Back In the house the atmos.
pierre was still strained. Mrs
Marchand was doing her best, but
IL wasn't too successful Mrs. Bar
ton still talked in her strong
CHEEKY voice that Was just LITTLE
too cheerful. Tommy Sheldon sal
In the Preside chair with not .
word to say &c anyone. Little Jan
ice huttered about trying to. bt
helpful as they got the tree dxec
and started hanging bright glisten'
ing orriams ntS on L.
Only Archie, the Mouse. as 81:
Students had called him for many
years, seemed mellow with Tux