Crossroads of Desire by Amos Hatter — page 28: what you’re looking at

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

Str CROSSROADS OF DESIRE “Something happened to Philip last night,’ Connie specu- lated narrowly, “and I didn’t find out what it was. It isn’t like him to drink too much. And certainly it isn’t like him to pass out,” “Maybe it was something he had to eat.” Connie ignored such a charitable explanation. She went on talking now, finding release in her words, unburdening her woes to a sympathetic listener. “The blonde isn’t apt to forget very soon. Not after what I did to her. I slapped her silly.” “It served her right for being with him in your place,” Yvonne declared. “I wouldn’t have minded so much, but I had an important business matter to take up with Philip. Of all nights for him to pull something like that!” “It was most inconsiderate,’ Yvonne agreed indignantly. “But that was only the beginning. After I’d taken out my anger on the blonde I left. It wouldn’t have done any good to give Philip a piece of my mind. He was so stupid drunk he didn’t even know I was there. Well, afterward, I decided to go to Larry’s where I’d find solace and love. But—when I got to his room over O’Brien’s saloon—’” Connie had to pause at this moment to fight back her emotion again. “I—found him with a redhead!” She barely got the words out before she burst into sobs. She folded her'arms on the table and buried her face as her grief of last night descended upon her. “Oh, you poor, poor baby,” Yvonne said tenderly. she jumped up and stood by Connie, patting her gently and trying to comfort her. Several minutes went by before Connie was once again in control of herself. Sep auly she sat up, her eyes red and tragic. “Let me get you a fresh cup of coffee,” said Yvonne, “It will make you feel better.” “Nothing will ever help me again,” Connie sighed. Yvonne poured the coffee and seated herself again at the table. “It may not be quite as bad as you think. Mr. Brooks didn’t expect you last night, did he?” “No, and that’s the awful part.” Yvonne gave her a tender smile. ‘Probably it is to you and to 54 CROSSROADS GF DESIRE Fim, too. The point is, he wasn’t expecting you. -wouldn’t have been with another girl if he had.” “T hope not.” _ “For all he knew you were out with another man last night. _ Perhaps he was lonely, thinking of you. He may have turned _ to the other girl only in desperation. He couldn’t love her any _ more than you.” “I don’t Know.’ Connie shook her head woefully. i “You should give him another chance, mademoiselle. .You might discover that he is as heartbroken as you over the affair.” “He couldn’t be.” “In France women try to consider all things. your man hastily. Wait and see what happens.” Connie didn’t know what more could possibly happen. She felt as if the roof had caved in on her. But Yvonne was right. Her counsel was practical, at any rate. Larry hadn’t been expecting her and she had been out with another man—at least, She had planned to be. ’ Rut the thing that heaped insult on injury was that she had arranged to be with Philip purely for Larry’s benefit. She had wanted to help him. And the idea of him shackine up with another girl while that was going on was a crowning injustice! The big lug couldn’t have chosen.a better way to offend her. “There’s nothing else I can do but wait and see what hap- pens,” Connie admitted finally They talked on for a while longer then Connie went to her room. She lay back down on her bed for a while but, tired as She was, she could not sleep. She still felt numb and grief- stricken when Yvonne knocked on her door at noon. “Come in.” Yvonne slipped through the door. “Mr. Brooks is here to see you.” Connie’s heart began to pound as she exchanged elances with Yvonne. She was swept by confusion. “He—he is?” “And unless ’m mistaken he’s a very unhappy young man,” Yvonne smiled, “This may be your chance, mademoiselle.” “Tell him I'll be out in a moment.” He surely Don’t judge ‘simply awful but there was no time to do anything about it. She spent five frantic minutes trying to make herself presentable. 55 Connie gave herself a hasty glance in the mirror. She looked ECOMIcHoOOKSAGO im