The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-01-21

kissed Noel's cheek. Then she led
their guest into spacious, pam
eled hall and Allan. stamping the
snow from his shoes. followed
them in with Noes bags.
Noel had known it would be like
that-the glimpse of mug living
room, with cleaning ole nlahog-
any pieces. And the lovely maple
bedroom to which Mrs. Marchand
showed her.
While Noel took off her wraps
and ran comb through the waves
of her hair. she and Mrs Marchand
talked of the festivities to come.
The older woman was somewhat
worried. 81 hope it will turn out all
right" she suggested.
"You'll make it perfect. How
could it oe anything else? Noel
treasured her.
Later, with Allan. :hey had a
glass of sherry in the llvlng-room
and Noel's spirit glowed in the
serenity of the atmosphere. Il
could purr." she exclaimed and
Mrs. Marchand smiled at her at
fectionately.
Noel heard the details. The
guests would arrive in TIN. after
noon. They'd have an informal
Christmas Eve supper and after
wards they'd all trim the tree. 1t
sounded heavenly to Noel.
She told that to Allan as they
went out through the woods to
gather pine coughs and Allan
showed her where he had cut the
tall fir, tree they would decorate.
81 hope all this won't bore you:
Allan glanced At her keenly. His
eyes were questioning but Noel
told him quickly: How can you
think that? You don't know how
happy | am to be here" Her voice
was mellow "I've not had many
happy Chrlstmases." 1esitating
over the words And I've always
wished for one like this"
They became gay after that,
laughed over little things Once
when Noel nearly tripped over a
half hidden trunk Allan caught
her and his arm stayed on her
shoulder while he said:
you're a wonderful person.
Noel. My mother knew it at once.
which shows she's a smart lady,"
EranchLs o. Holly
4 S THEY walked slowly back to
~ the house, their arms laden
with green branches. Noel. at
peace with the world. remarked
suddenly: " US.
81 think I'd like to stay in some
place lik this forever"
Allan's laugh rang out. You'd
be bored to death, after a while."i
he suggested YOU'D miss al the
things you have" j.
At the dinner table while they
fingered over the deliciously
cooked. food which buxom. rosy
checked Annie served them, Noel
thought: This is real living 1t was
house made foi that. and the
people who lived there. She
thought about that too. while they
sat in the HvinP-room slipping
their coffee
Noel felt Alla.l's eyes upon her.
Mrs Marchand must have noticed.
too Because she said. Noel, that's
a lovely gown. It's so attractive on
YOU"
Noel accepted the compliment
for the simple black knitted din
ner dress with it severely cut
square neck and long slee. es. She
wore turquoise clips at tn neck
line. and wide bracelet to match
There's too much of me for a
gown like that" Mrs Marchand
said as she smooLhed tn. folds of
her gray chiffon. softly draped
over her shoulders and arms Noel
knew the pearls around her neck
were real and she noticed the
large sapphire stone. twice the size
o. heT own emerald WhILH repoSed
IN drawer in her room
Mrs Marchand left Noel and
Allan together when she went up
stairs .ge has It's drawbacks
and compensations. nv dear" she
explained her early retirement
The two others sat by the fire and
Noel found herself listening eager
~ to Allan'S vivid description of
tae mining camps, and his work
down there.
Gong up to hel roor., feeling
the warmth of Ailan's ham which
held hers IN a lingering Good
night" clasp she thought He's so
grand; not as ! thought at all
Noel awakened esrly next
morning and the hours were busy
for all three Allan anc she hung
the livlng-room with branches of
holly and long winding garlands
of pine branches They wrapped
the gifts to be placed under the
tree for the strangers uho were
coming And snatched off only
brief interval for Ugh, luncheon.
They were both 81 kind. Noel
could not believe that only few
weeks ago Allan and his mother
were not her friends 81 feel as
though we've known each other
for years." Mrs Marchand re-
marked morv than once.
When Allan went in the car to
the train to meet the five guests
Noel and Mrs. Marchand sat
nervouSly in the 'iving-room.
What would they be like. these
strangers. on their way to the
Christmas party? Mrs. Marchand
was having first qualms.
Noel shared the feeling as she
went into the hall with her hostess
to greet the newcomers who stood
there, an old assortment o. people.
Awkward greetings. strained at
tempts at conventional remarks.
It was trying moment.
fConurioht 1888 Annela Lordenl