Crossroads of Desire by Amos Hatter — page 37: what you’re looking at

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

CROSSROADS OF DESIRE be awfully disappointed. She had planned this night for him. If she went to Philip's she would have to give Larry a logical excuse for running out on the party. She wouldn’t dare tell him the truth, Connie was in a cantankerous mood as she dressed for the recital that night. She spoke sharply to Yvonne, criticized the dressmaker who had provided her garment for the occasion and took time out to call Hillard and raise holy hell with him for not getting better announcements in the evening papers. She arrived alone but with considerable fanfare ri 1 ) at Crichton Hall a eight-thirty. Several press photographers took flash pictures of her as she joined the milling crowd in the lobby and for this purpose she managed a brilliant smile. Less than five hundred persons were present but that filled the Hall to capacity. ; There was nothing disappointing about the turnout. Hillard had done a rather good job after all. Connie was further erati- ere that ue recital had attracted the attention of many big € producers and impresarios whom she glimp: i well-dressed audience. Se ae At a quarter to nine the house lights dimmed. The curtain went up and a spotlight framed the concert grand on the stage. An instant later Larry came out, resplendent in white tie and tails, There was polite but scattered applause for this unknown. Connie’s heart bled for him, knowing ae under, , g the strain he must be But if Larry was nervous, no one knew it. He sat down at the piano and without further delay played through a brief and conventional number. This was his warm-u C : i p, and the applause it drew was still polite but scattered. S sd He took a five minute break off-stage then returned for the main event. A hush fell over the audience as Larry himself announced the opus, explained its origin and purpose for the ballet, then in good taste requested the audience’s indulgence. What happened after that made musical history of a sort. He sat down and began a full rendition of the ragtime score he had composed. It wasn’t that the music was so outstanding, nor that its execution was so technically perfect. What intrigued everyone was that here in staid Crichton Hall, before a rather 12 CROSSROADS OF DESIRE impressive gathering, a ragtime piano player was making people tap their feet. Larry played for all as if he were back in O'Brien’s saloon, The rhythmic beat of the melody and its accompaniment filled the ‘air and penetrated to the latent rowdy natures of all those present. It was loud, rough and ribald, but there was no getting around it, it was entertainment. He was smiling happily when “he finished, forty-five minutes later. _ Whistles, applause and cheers broke out the instant he made his bow. Larry beamed back in the spotlight. Then suddenly he stepped forward and peered oyer the footlights. When he “spied Connie in the second row he beckoned to her. She ran up and joined him on the stage, so choked up with happiness and excitement that she was afraid to say anything to him lest she burst into tears. Together they bowed as the applause and bravos continued. The moment the curtain came down she threw her arms around him. “Oh, Larry, it was marvelous.” “Do you think it went over?” was the first thing he asked. “Didn’t you hear them clapping?” she smiled. And reached to kiss him briefly. ‘ That was all they got to say to each other for a while. The next moment, they were engulfed by a small group of news- paper critics and reporters. Hillard was on hand with releases - giving Larry’s background, Several wanted to know when Miss Carter was going to present the new ballet set to the music. One asked if Miss Carter and Mr. Brooks happened to be - engaged, or something When all questions were answered, save the last, Larry went to a dressing room and changed. He rejoined Connie and the - half dozen others who had been invited and they all set out for Sardi’s. The dinner was quite a success and the critics enjoyed themselves as the hovering waiters kept the cham- - pagne buckets filled. It was after midnight before Connie let herself face up to the - problem that lay ahead. Larry was talking to a critic who sat on the other side of him when she gave a tug at his sleeve. He looked around happily. 73 COMIIGHOOKSTEO im