The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-02-04
Chapter 10
sNice To See You

Nice 10 See YOU
"uELLO, Allan; it's very it
IL ing to hear your voice
again"
1t was as easy as that-just
enough friendly enthusiasm in
her voice. She was carrying it off
very well. Only Allan was at the
other end of the line. He couldn't
see her hand tremble. couldn't
realize the effort she exercised
to give an impression of calm.
From the moment she ran away
from the pier. through three hours
until now. she'd 1een persuadn I.
herself she was being unduly dra-
matte.
Once in her room she counted
the minutes until the hour was
over. Now he was coming down
the gangplank-now he was greet
ing his mother-now he had
Elaine in his arms.
Now he was at the hotel-they
were at the hotel. She could pick
up the telephone, ask for his room
and she'd hear his beloved voice
speaking her rame. But she
wouldn't cali! Ever!
Noel thought about that at least
i've times in the next few min
utes. She picked up the receiver
once. then put it back on the hook
before the operator could answer.
"Have you no se!f-respect?"
she almost shouted at herself
you're not going to call him!
So. she picked up the telephone
and asked for the Lancaster.
"Noel, hello!" the dear familiar
voice answered. And then she
managed her conventional greet
ing. She was convincingly pleas
ant-no more; at least, her voice
was.
Hard luck for me you couldn't
wait at the dock, Noel" He
sounded as though he regretted it
keenly. What else could he say?
The play was still On? She told
him it was. He was so anxious to
see it. More mention of wanting
to see her-soon. That was all. He
was gone from the telephone. And
he hadn't said when!
Noel made herself ready for ?
luncheon engagement with Anita
Swanstrom. She was feeling let
down. a sad sort of aftermath
feeling. 1t was better. though.
than hectic expectation, She was
in her own place; she'd remember
thati
Luncheon was pleasant, incon-
sequential. Anita was in a talka-
tive mood. didn't seem to notice
NoelS quiet manner.
Douglas is letting me go out to
Hollywood next month";" Anita
confided eagerly. Hes been so
stingy Of late. / wasn't sure he'd
be willing. Lord, will | be glad to
get back there for a little while!
] miss it so much. Noel"
Anita spoke often Of missing
Hollywood. She got sad look in
her eyes. when she referred to he
movie career she'd given up for
Douglas. When Noel and every
one else knew she had been bit
player in the films and had at
tracted Swanstrom on one of his
Hollywood tricks.
Maybe that's the way I'll be
talking about my stage work, after
I've married David. Noel thought.
"You must be thinking of some
thing unpleasant" Anita suggest
ed at that moment.
Noel gave her 4 startled glance
mo, as matter of fact, | wasn't.
Later they walked toward the
Fifth Avenue stores. Anita had
plenty of shopping to do. she ex-
planned to Noel who remembered
an appointment opportunity. She
was in no mood to follow Anita's
mad scurry for smart things to
take to Hollywood.
The hours passed somehow and
she was at the theater where
everything else n the world except
the play was left outside the stage
door. She took unusual care of her
makeup, was impatient with
Clarabelle about a loose clasp on
her white gown.
Snap Out or IT.
once on the stage, after her first
~ entrance, Noel's quick glance
swept the front half of the house
II he were there, she'd know.
"Snap out of it, baby" Gerald
mumbled under his breath at the
moment he held her in his arms
when he was supposed to be max
ing passionate love to her.
For answer. she let herself &c
limp. He was furious. "This is
love, you sap," he still whispered
Aloud, for the audience, he be-
sought her fervently:
Darling. love me forever. Tell
me once more, when come back
you'll be waiting"
Noel picked up the cue and
went back into her role but after
Gerald left the stage, as the curtain
was falling. her eyes again sought
Allan's face in the sea before her
He wasn't therel
She hadn't expected him tonight
that's what she told herself after
the second act and when the last
curtain had come down as she
went through the wings, she
couldn't help remembering: He'll
be somewhere with Elaine this
EVENING"
In her dressing-room, Noel re-
Ill L. e l. T.