The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-02-16
BY Amelia LOrden

NEW OTh. 1ulS VlSlL WOulQ Go lGE
no good, she realized. She'd see
Allan again. And she'd say an
other FAREWELL She'd done that, in
her heart, long before this.
Yet the thought of him waiting
was pulling her with power
greater than her own reasoning.
Mrs. Marchand's car was at the
station in Claiborne. Driving
through the lovely green roads,
Noel remembered another trip to
the old white house on the hill. It
had been winter then, and Allan
had ridden beside her.
II seemed so long ago since that
Christmas party. So much had
happened in the months that
came after. Her whole world had
changed-it had been another Noel
in the uninterrupted woods when
Allan had kissed her for the first
time. And she'd known, almost
them. that she loVedl him..
Noel, my dear" Mrs. Marchand
was eagerly welcoming her.
you're more lovely than ever"
| She looked at Noel keenly. She
was thinking: There's something
new in her eyes though. She's not
been happy.
| Its good, just to see you again,
to be here with YOU" Noel's lips
brushed against. the soft matured
cheek. She knew Mrs. Marchand
looked much older, there were new
lines. under her eyes.
SO you're going to be a great
movie starr" Mrs. Marchand
smiled.
| II wouldn't say that-you can't
count on anything in Hollywood.
|. know that much already"
Noel walked with Mrs. Mar
chand into the quiet house she had
learned to love.
Allan stood waiting in the cool
shaded living room. He limped for
ward with the aid of a cane. He
had that same expression Noel had
seen on that fateful day in the hos
pital--the day that had made Noel
realize she wouldn't marry David.
Noel walked over to him, held
out her hand.
Sparring For Time
a LEAN. you're looking we'll"
| > It sounded inane. She could
scarcely speak as she watched him
her whole universe there before
her-a world she couldn't have, so
that nothing else had real meaning
for her.
She meant to be careful. She'd
keep up the role of good friend,
she'd promised herself all the way
on the train. Yet when he stood
before her, so close once again, her
pulse started pounding.
Noel you're here" His hand
was holding hers tightly. AT lasti"
his eyes told her. She felt the ten
sion between them. For moment
she forgot the room. Mrs. Mar
chand-everything but that Allan
was here, with her.
He was thinner. Noel saw as he
let go her hand. His face was pale:
the healthy tan had disappeared.
But his smile was the same, as en-.
dearing as ever and his voice-it
would always be music to Noel.
I've treated you both badly"
Noel flushed as she said it. 1--WE
thought about you, Allan, hoped
you were completely recovered"
She would have taken those words
back if she could.
We understand" Mrs. Mar.
chand interrupted. you've had
your own problems" Now it was
the older woman who was embar.
raised. 'Motheri" Allan admon-
iShed.
"You saw those stories of me
in the paperS?" Noel thought she.
might as well get it over with. 81
behaved like a silly young girl. /
was too excited at the time to use
good Judgment.
The atmosphere was strained.
Mrs. Marchand was apologize in.
her manner. In desperation Noel
said:
This is a lovely place in sum-
mer: I've been. admiring the coun-
tryslde as came up. And thought
1t was perfect in winter!" mad
vertently her glance strayed to-
Allan. Did he remember. toop That
afternoon in the woods?
Why don't you 60 out on the
terrace?" Mrs. Marchand suggest
ed "Pil have Annie bring tea out
there"
She. disappeared into the hall.
Would you like tor It was a po-
lite question, from Allan. His eyes
were saying other, more serious
things. Or did Noel only imagine
it?
She walked beside him slowly,
trying. not to notice how badly he
limped.
Three months more and | can
throw this thing away" he said.
tapping his cane on tn. floor.
Then as they sat in the big white
chairs on the terrace, his head close
TO hers. Allan gave her a sad, quiz
zical look. $50 they're going to
make you a famous picture star.
Noel?"
Il don't know what they'll do
with me. once I'm out there. I'm
to. sign the contract when ] get
West tomorrow. I'm not crazy
about movie work. I think I like
the stage better. But at least its
more certain" She was sparrine
for time. trying to calm herself.
| Allan reached for her hand. He
looked at il intently, lying in his
palm. The touch of his fingers sent
an electric shock all through Noel's
body. If it could last forever. like
thisl-She was thinking. She heard
Allan's voice, husky. carressing:
Il Noel. | didn't mean to tell you
but / can't let you 60 so far away
without knoWinr-s