Crossroads of Desire by Amos Hatter — page 36: what you’re looking at

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

CROSSROADS OF DESIRE Philip looked cornered. This desirable girl who confronted him might be lost to him forever if he called her hand now. He was torn between a desire to stand pat and the fear of defeat if he did. “Can there really be any doubt in your mind, Connie?” “There most certainly can. How do you think I felt last night, riding home by myself? How do you think I felt the other night Standing there in the theater Waiting, while you were out carousing with her?” she replied angrily. Philip averted his eyes. In doing so he glimpsed an attractive glossy knee mounted upon another, A pang stabbed his heart. “I’m sorry about that,” he said miserably. “I thought I’d made that clear.” Connie sensed victory, but she kept on punching. ‘And then what did you do to me today? You left word with your butler and your secretary that you didn’t want to see me. You actually wanted to avoid me, Philip, just as if I were a tramp!” “Please, Connie. Don’t talk that way,” Philip begged. ~ She sat there glaring at him, searing him with the full force of her indignation. Philip sighed. He was trapped by his longing passion for this girl. “Forgive me, Connie. Let’s not argue any longer.” “Not until we get a couple of other things straightened out, Why aren’t you going to the recital tonight?” “Well, I just didn’t see much point in it.” “You've got a date with Ginger,” Connie accused. Philip stirred uncomfortably. “I wasn’t particularly keen about it, but—” “Why did you make the date?” she asked thinly. “Tt seemed like a good idea at the time. But, if this recital is really important to you, I can probably change my plans.” “Oh, I wouldn’t think of interfering with your fun!” she told him caustically. Quickly she opened her purse and pulled out the check from O’Brien’s. “And another thing. What do you intend doing about this?” She tossed it onto the desk before him. He stared at it bleakly. All at once Connie stood up. She knew, without having to be told, that she had accomplished her mission. 70 CROSSROADS OF DESIRE “T can’t waste any more time, Philip. I hope that the future you'll decide to play fair with me.” or : She turned and started for the door. Philip didn’t say any- thing until she had almost reached it. “About this tab from O’Brien’s, Connie, Suppose you come by the apartment tonight after the recital. Pll be happy to give F a check for it then.” B Connie halted. Her long lashes blinked. She looked around at him quickly, as if she thought he was joking. A slow smile had crossed Philip’s lips. She measured him carefully: and all at once she knew that he had come up with a trump. : “You have a date with Ginger. You just got through telling Ee her to dinner. I’ll be rid of her by. midnight.” Connie decided on a bluff. “Now lock, Philip. Tonight’s the i nd if you think I’m going to—” : Be oneenarte is for a rather large sum. I don t mind paying it. Surely, under the circumstances, it’s not asking too - much of you to drop around for the money. Again their eyes met and this time it was Connie who felt the pressure. Her whole career had been built on his money. If suddenly he should withdraw his support, her crash would be even more sensational than her rise to stardom. 4 “Tt so happens that there’s to be a dinner for Larry at Sardi s after the recital. Several critics have.been invited,” she said, her eyes mere slits. “Who’s going to pay for that?” “Tt’s a legitimate expense for the Association. They re the ones who’ll ultimately benefit if the critics give us good Heviews: “Then suppose we make it one o’clock. That will give you enough time.’ Oy : She raged at him in silence across the room, but Philip sat in his chair unmoved. All at once her chin came up. She turned aloofly and went out. Just before the door closed behind her she heard Philip give a faint chuckle. Connie groped her way to the elevator blind with fury. It took a good deal of effort for her to compose herself as ca trode back uptown. Philip had her, it appeared, over the barre 5 She spent the remainder of the afternoon trying to figure some way out but she could think of nothing. val Connie ooOolkS.e@ im