Crossroads of Desire by Amos Hatter — page 29: what you’re looking at

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

CROSSROADS OF DESIRE Just before she opened the door she drew herself up as coldly and aloofly as possible. “Connie!” Larry cried, the instant she appeared. “I’m so sorry about last night. So very sorry.” She gave him an icy glance. “I’m surprised. You were doing what you wanted to do, no doubt.” “You don’t understand, Connie,’ he said miserably. “Jane Vollmer and I have known each other a long time. We’ve beet good friends.” “So I learned,” she replied with scathing sarcasm. “T didn’t Know you were coming last night. Why didn’t you tell me?” “You would then have had a choice of two girls,’ she observed bitterly. Larry gave her a pleading look. “But if I had known, there wouldn’t have been a second thought. Actually I didn’t invite Jane to my room. She just dropped in. She lives right across the hall,” “Oh, she does!” Connie glared. “Well, isn’t that just dandy for you.” “Tm here to tell you how sorry I am and that Jane means nothing: I can hardly say more than that. After all, Connie, I wasn’t the one who started this affair,’ he said, his voice suddenly quiet. “No but you were perfectly willing to continue it.” “How could I resist you? You’re the most marvelous girl in the world. Any man in my place would accept a bit of heaven, even though he knew it couldn’t last.” “What do you mean by that?” she asked, turning her eyes on him sharply. “Someday, Connie, youll find someone else. A man in your class. When that happens I know you'll forget about me. And . that’s all right. TVll always have my memories.” “What the hell are you talking about?” she flared. “Do you think you’re just a, passing fancy?” “Yes, if you want the truth. I’ve thought that all along. I know I could never make you happy. I couldn’t even begin to give you the the things you want.” This little speech brought Connie up sharply. She stared at 56 CROSSROADS OF DESIRE him in consternation and bewilderment. In spite of the way She felt, her attitude changed abruptly. This was something different and entirely unexpected. “You—you've really felt that way?” she said incredulously. _ He nodded. Suddenly their eyes met. Connie forgot last hight, she forgot everything as she realized how Larry felt about her. No! He mustn’t feel that way. Her eyes filled with yearning and a desire to give him assurance. _ “Larry, you’ve been wrong about me.” “Only time will tell that,” he said, smiling sadly. — “You mustn’t feel that way.” She moved toward him. All at once he ran to her and gathered her in his arms. Their lips met with such force that each was bruised, but neither cared about that. Connie’s arms were about his neck so tightly that she thought she could never let him go. She almost fainted with the overwhelming tenderness she felt. Feeling _ herself locked in his embrace pushed all cares out of her mind. ““Larry, Larry—” she breathed. “Forgive me for last night, darling,” he begged. “It didn’t happen. I wasn’t there. It was all a nightmare on my part. Only please don’t let it happen again, Larry. Please!” “T won’t, Connie. That’s a promise. But you must promise me too that you'll never pull a surprise visit like that on me again.” She drew back her head and peered up at him. His eyes remained on hers steadily. So that’s how it was. Larry was Willing to protect her from whatever other life he might lead, but to do so he insisted on her cooperation. “T promise,” she said but even as she spoke she realized that the arrangement was entirely unsatisfactory. Connie also realized that she had a rival in Jane Vollmer, one that would have to be attended to as quickly as possible. They sat down on the divan. Connie was in no mood, at least for a while, to do any more talking. She needed caressing and petting to soothe her wounds from last night. She needed the sweetness of his embrace to assuage her aching heart. Quickly she curled up in his arms. Fortunately Larry sensed her mood af the moment. This pleasing scene was interrupted half an hour later by the buzzer at the door. Larry and Connie separated. Yvonne Comichooks.co im