Crossroads of Desire by Amos Hatter — page 19: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

CROSSROADS OF DESIRE “We'll go to a first-class restaurant for a change,’ Philip remarked drily. He gave orders to his chauffeur. Twenty minutes later in the refined environment of a high class supper club Connie turned her charm on Philip. “T’m sure you’ve been wondering what I’d had up my sleeve with Larry. Well, it’s this. He’s going to write an original score for a new ballet. A ragtime type of thing. If I can perfect the choreography I have in mind for it, we’ll have something really new and novel for the show.” After her words sunk in, Philip was able to smile. He had been fearful of a rival in Larry Brooks. And in that connection some suspicion still lurked in his mind. But it was a relief to know that Connie had been thinking of business. “Why didn’t you tell me this before, my dear?” he asked. “T wasn’t sure that it had any possibilities or that it could be worked out until I listened to Larry’s playing last night.” “There’s still a good chance it.won’t unless I can write some good music,” Larry pointed out. They discussed the matter all through the meal. When they finished Connie was tired and requested that they take her home. When Philip’s limousine stopped in front of her apart- ment she insisted that they go on. “Be a dear, Philip, as I know you will, and run Larry home.” “As you wish, Connie.” The two men bid her good night. As they drove away Philip asked Larry where he lived. “Over O’Brien’s saloon.” Philip winced but he gave the necessary instructions to his chauffeur. A long silence followed as the car made its way to Larry's address. Just before they arrived, Larry turned to his host and thanked him for the supper and the lift home. “Quite all right,” said Philip without enthusiasm. Then he added thoughtfully, ‘“When I arranged to take Connie out after the show tonight, I certainly had no idea I’d end up with you.” 36 CHAPTER FIVE NIE and Larry sat in a restaurant that had been named in honor of the lavish Louis XIV of France. His Royal Highness would have been highly pleased with its swank interior and royally entertained by the scene glimpsed through its broad expanse of window. For, on this cold but sunny afternoon, unusually good patronage was being enjoyed by Mr. Rocke- feller’s ice skating rink. A couple of hundred persons, along with golden Prometheus, were gathered about watching the skaters. Several young lady Skaters were being especially watched, not because they were particularly proficient with their blades, but because their charms were generously revealed by their brief skating cos- tumes. Ordinarily Larry Brooks would have been entranced with such a scene, but not with Connie Carter sitting across the table from him. It took charm of superior sort to distract from the glittering Connie. He was content to keep his eyes on her. As for Connie, no man existed for her, even inside the restaurant, except the ragtime piano player from O’Brien’s saloon. Her large dark eyes regarded him with infinite tender- ness, silently communicating to him the love and devotion that filled her heart. : “I think you’re marvelous,” she said. This statement wasn’t quite as forthright as it may have sounded, for she was referring to Larry's completion in ten days time of the music for the ballet. “T just kept plugging away until it was finished,” said Larry modestly. “Nevertheless, I think it’s wonderful that you could do it in ten days. When am I going to get to hear it? “You've heard snatches of it off and on.” “And I’ve loved every bit of it.” “What I did here—’ Larry gave a loving pat to a large manila envelope that lay at one side on the table “—was put it all to- gether. It’s all down in black and white, ready for the arranger.” “Youre a genius,” Connie announced, staring across at him admiringly, 37 aS CoORmmiclooolk<xs.Cconn