Crossroads of Desire by Amos Hatter — page 38: what you’re looking at

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

CROSSROADS OF DESIRE “Larry, I meant to tell you earlier in the evening that I can’t stay. I—” — “Never mind,” he said, patting her hand, “I’m just as anxious to get out of here as you are.” “But ‘we can’t leave our guests. Someone has to stay.” A slight cloud crossed his brow. “I thought we were going to” “T can’t tonight, Larry. I—I’m simply worn out. This is my night off from the ballet, you know. And I’ve simply got to get some rest.” She bit her lip at the disappointment that leaped into his eyes. They stared at each other for a moment. “Gosh. I didn’t know you felt like that, Connie. Why didn’t you tell me? I'll take you home whenever you say.” “No. You’ve got to stay with these people. It’s your party.” At that remark Larry was seized with an entirely new thought. He had a presentiment of impending doom when the party broke up and the waiter would come around with the check. He didn’t even have enough money in his pocket to leave a decent tip. “Connie,” he whispered frantically, “I can’t—” “Oh please, honey,’ she begged, “I know how you feel. I'm just as disappointed as you are.” Larry swallowed hard. “But—but what will we do?” “Tomorrow night. I promise, Larry.” “Tomorrow night?” he echoed incredulously. “Yes. Meet me after the show.” He gazed at her as if she had suddenly lost her marbles. Then enlightenment came to hom. “What I’m talking about is the bill we’ve run up here.” There was a short pause then Connie burst out laughing. “Silly, just tell them to send it to the Association. I'll speak to the headwaiter on the way out.” ' “Whew, I was worried for a moment,” he said, ereatly relieved, Then quickly he added, “Yowre wonderful, Connie. Please don’t think I’m utterly stupid. Sure I’m disappointed about tonight, but I'll be there tomorrow, even if O’Brien fires me.” ; ‘ She gave his hand a squeeze and got up from the table. After 14 CROSSROADS OF DESIRE saying goodnight to the guests she went out. Her parting mood lasted only until she got to the curb and into a taxi. She gave the driver Philip’s address. Just at that moment another taxi pulled up in front to let out a passenger. Connie’s driver leaned on his horn. She looked up to see what was causing his agitation. But the sight that greeted her caused her far more than it did him, Ginger Doss, her blonde hair recently and expertly coiffed, got out of the cab alone and walked blithely into Sardi’s. Betore Connie could recover from her surprise, her driver backed the taxi away from the curb. A second later she was being whisked off to her assignation with Philip. CHAPTER TEN ae awaited her in his living room. He was relaxed and at ease in a plaid fireside jacket with a pipe to confirm the informality of the occasion. A bottle of imported whiskey, a silver ice bucket and a bottle of soda were on a tray with glasses and some canapes. He smiled at her affectionately when she “eee glad you decided to come, Connie. Until you walked in I wasn’t sure I’d be seeing you again.” ; Connie ignored his remark. “What was Ginger Doss going into Sardi’s for a few minutes ago?” “Was she?” he said blandly. “yes, And I don’t think it was a coincidence.” She eyed him closely. “How should I know? I left her at eleven o’clock so I could hurry home and be ready when you arrived, my dear.” She made no effort to conceal her skepticism. Philip had known that she and Larry would be at Sardi’s tonight. She had told him herself that afternoon. But she didn’t know how Ginger Doss would have come by the information. It was a good bet she had learned it from Philip. “Wix you a drink?” Philip peered at her questioningly through his glasses. ws) COMIGEHOOKS AGO