The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-01-19
Chapter Five
Christmas Shopping

Chapter Five
Christmas Shopping
IT WISH we could go into rehears-
ais tomorrow"
Eagerly, Noel leaned across the
table toward Douglas Swanstrom,
her eyes lighted with enthusiasm.
She and David were having lunch
con In the Chinese Room with the
stage producer.
David had sat by quietly while
Swanstrom told Noel casually that
the play he was considering might
be started before the holidays.
'The leads just suited to you," was
the way he told her she would be
in il.
In the sudden wave Of hope that
filed her as she heard his calmly
uttered remark, Noel forgot every
thing else-loneliness, the coming
Christmas. everything but the pos
sibility that she might be working
again.
Douglas, you don't know what
il means to me. The last two en-
gagements were such disaster"
Swanstrom slipped his coffee and
relaxed in his chair. He smiled at
David, VINO was being quieton his
side Of Noel.
Now don't get too excited,
Noel" ne suggested. ut all de-
ponds on Dixon. He has to rewrite
the third act and you know how
unreliable tn at self = estimated
genius is. He'll promise anything.
But he's sworn he'll have the re-
vised script by Monday"
'T'1l feel like poisoning him if
he doesn't" Noel vehemently ex-
claimed. She looked closely at
Swanstrom as she asked slowly,
But ! thought you said there was
no possibility of getting the back
ing until after the holidays?"
Swanstrom chuckled and looked
over at David. "Well, maybe a
Christmas angel came early this
year, dear" was the only informa-
ton he offered.
Noel gazed searchingly at David.
Could David be planning an angel
role-and why7 at couldn't by
any chance be you in the role of
play angel, could it, David?"
Norris face flushed. He sent a
furtive glance to Swanstrom.
Whatever would make you think
of such a thing?" was all that he
answered.
They talked about casting and
sets and the possibility of the right
theater.
II was crazy about the part of
Gilda when I read the first draft,
Noel said it like a prayer. "And
I'm sure with the revisionS you
mention it's bound to 60 over.''
"Only time and the public can
tell about that" was the way
Swanstrom PIT it.
It was only after Swanstrom had
left them, and Noel told David she
was meeting Mrs. Marchand and
her son to shop for the gifts they
would have for the Christmas par
ty, David remarked:
But, Noel, if the plans for the
play 60 through you won't be able
TO visit them"
That's true" Noers voice came
slowly, reluctantly. But the plays
more important than anything else
in the world-you know that, Da-
vid. Though I really would hate to
miss that beautiful party"
:AiLot OF waitihg'.ii
DAVID didn't answer her. They
~ left the Chinese Room and as
they walked through the lobby,
David said in what he tried to
make a casual voice:
Before you joined us, Swan
strom asked me when we were get
ting married" He looked down on
the flushed face of the girl beside
him. "rd like to be able to tell him
tomorrow, ca~ling." He bent his
head down TO her as he said it.
David, please, not now-there'S
so much else to worry about. Wait
until after things are more set
tied for me-"
i've been doing quite a lot of
waiting. you know" David's voice
was tinged with bitterness.
Noel walked on and as they ap-
preached the taxi line he seemed a
little angry when he said, you're
seeing lot Of that mother and son,
aren't you, Noel?"
But they're leaving tomorrow"
Noel protested. "And we've so
much to do before they Co." She
tried to make her smile gay and
nonchalant. "That's why I'll have
to be leaving you now. dear"
In the cab going to Sands,
where she was to meet them, Noel
thought: I'd better not tell them
about the play, or that I might miss
the party, until I'm more certain.
Noel saw Allan at once, as the
cab slowed up in front Of the big
Avenue store. He was stamping his
feet on the sidewalk and anxious
~ watching the approaching
crowds Of people. When he saw