The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-02-03

4 WASN'T SO OlIllcUlCs
isn't it heavenly? I can hardly
wait through the hours till then.
Mrs. Marchand's face held q rapt
expression. 'The boat docks at
ten"
At ten, he'll be here, in New
York! Noel busted herself with the
towel, wiped the grease off her
face, and daubed on a new film of
powder blindly.
''pd like you to 60 10 the pier
with me, if you've time, Mrs. Mar
chand suggested suddenly.
Noel almost said, "Why, won't
you be going with Elaine?" Instead
she spoke slowly. II don't know
If ! cam"
'Please try"
NoePs heart was pleading: Do
you know what you're asking? But
her lips gave a friendly consent.
At Mrs. Marchand's insistence
the three had supper in her rooms
at the Lancaster. She ordered q
highball for Mr.. Whitaker and
wine for Noel and herself. sThis
eve calls for another celebration"
She was happy and gay, anticipat.
ing the Joy of tomorrow.
They talked again Of the party
in Claiborne that had brought
them all together. Noel spoke OF
Elsie Grant and her success at the
Denise shop. She mentioned the
visit Of Janice and heard with
Epleasure that Mrs. Marchand was
keeping in touch with Jimmy and
his mother on the upstate farm.
81 sent Jimmy his puppy" AL
lan's mother told them. Hes q
darling boy"
Mr.. Whitaker broke In on the
pleasant talk. ~ wonder where
we'll all be next Christmas" Not
many more Christmases for him,
Noel thought sadly.
perhaps we can all be together
at my house." Mrs. Marchand sug.
gested hopefully. The other two
smiled encouragingly. won't be
there-Noel whispered to herself
I'll be somewhere with David.
Hard To Bear
COON Noel reluctantly said she
- must be leaving. Mr.. Whitaker
went with her. They walked the
few blocks to her hotel, while Al
1an's'oh teacher'spoke Of his years
in the school where Allan had once
been his pupil.
Noel was early, stopping by for
Mrs. Marchand the next morning.
She hadn't needed the phone cali
from the desk to arouse her. Her
eyes opened when the sun came up
and she'd lain quietly, sorting out
lher secret thoughts. BY the time
she met Mrs. Marchand she was
reconciled to thinking of Allan az
a friend, even to thinking Of him.
with Elaine. IT.
SIN so excited, I can't manage
my fingers,1 MRS. -Marchand 4ex-N
Eclaiined breathlessly. She was fufil-
bling with the pin at the neck OF
her dress.
Here, let me do it for YOU"
Noel offered. surprised that her
own hands were steady.
They were half an hour early
when they reached the pier. Two
executives from Ailan's Office
greeted Mrs. Marchand, were ore.
sented to Noel.
One of them, q Mr.. Thomas,
talked casually with Noel. "Are
you relative Of Mrs. Marchand?"
he asked.
mo. just friend"
The other man, Noel never did
remember his name, went to in
quire about landing time and while
he was gone, they sat in the wicker
chairs of the waiting room impa-
tiently.
at seems like we've been here
an hour already" Mrs. Marchand
protested.
"Only ten minutes" Mr.. Thomas
laughed understandingly.
People were passing before
them. Other visitors arrived to
greet returning passengers, en-
ployees Of the line dashing about.
Good morning, Elaine" Mrs.
Marchand spoke in a-clear voice
that reached the tall girl IN her
trim tailored suit and silver foxes,
just entering the room. Il wasn't
until Noel heard the greeting that
she saw Elaine Schuyler.
The stately blonde with graceful
strides was at Mrs. Marcnands
side, leaning down kissing her
cheek.
Didn't think you'd be out this
early" the older woman said
briskly.
"On such an occasion as this9"
Elaine's voice held surprised pro-
test, conveying the meaning: Did
you think ] wouldn't be here to
meet Allan? She turned and saw
Noel.
Hello, there" she said in an Of
hand manner.
"Good morning, Mrs. Schuyler"
Noel was coolly pleasant.
The second man came back then.
'"The boat will be an hour late
in docking" he reported.
Noel had been thinking: won't
be able to bear il, watching them
meet, seeing Allan with her. Why.
tuhy did I come?
She decided quickly. mot for
an hour?" Her regret vas friendly,
not too stressed. I'm so sorry. but
I've an engagement before that. !
do hope you'll forgive me Il run
along"
And somehow she was away
from them---away from Elaine,
going down In the elevator TO the
street.
fcopyrisht. 1888. Angelo LordssJ
| Tomorrow: Reunion.