Crossroads of Desire by Amos Hatter — page 51: what you’re looking at

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

CROSSROADS OF DESIRE ‘ Connie noticed the improvement in O’Brien’s business. The place was full this evening and several of the tables were occu- pied by people of obvious means. Her presence caused a stir of excitement at nearby tables and twice she graciously provided her autograph. While Larry was playing, a columnist by the name of Quinlan sat at her table for a while doing an interview. “How’d you ever discover this place, Miss Carter?” She motioned towards Larry. “You probably read where he’s doing the music for a new ballet.” “Yes. And he’s very good. At this tate, O’Brien will have to enlarge his place to accommodate everyone who wants to hear him play.” “T don’t imagine Larry will play here too much longer, There are bigger things in store for him than this.” “Can I quote you on that?” She grinned and shook her head. “Don’t make O’Brien mad at me. He’s paying for these drinks.” Regardless of whence they came they were having an exhil- arating effect on Connie. She laughed and joked with Quinlan, visited with several others who stopped at her table. She sent O’Brien off for more champagne and when he returned he said several customers were wondering if she’d oblige them with a dance. “Of course I will,” cried Connie in great, good spirits. She had Larry play some of the ballet music and startled everyone in the saloon with ten minutes of impromptu enter~ tainment. The walls reverberated with the Toar of applause that followed. She made just as big a hit on Third Avenue as She had in the Ballet du Roi. “Wonderful! Wonderful!” cried O’Brien gratefully. “Hold your horses, chief,” Connie laughed as she resumed her seat at the table. “Give Larry and me a couple of more drinks, then we’ll really put on a show!” By midnight O’Brien’s had turned into one big party, Every- body had fun. Everybody enjoyed Connie as she did her stuff untiringly to as appreciative an audience as she had ever had. Everybody was in a festive mood except one. Jane Vollmer had watched the entire evening with more than a little resentment. The customers were generous with their tips still she didn’t like it one bit that Constance Carter was making herself the belle of the ball. By one o’clock she had had 100 CROSSROADS OF DESIRE all she could put up with. She slipped into a phone booth and got in touch with Philip Hathaway. “This is Jane Voilmer, over at O’Brien’s.” “Oh yes!” came Phillip’s voice in agreeable surprise. “Listen. You seem to have a hankering for Connie Carter and I’m telling you this as a freind. You'd better get over here to the saloon right away.’ “Why?” asked Philip in astonishment. “Because your girl friend seems bent on making O’Brien’s a second Ballet du Roi.” : A short silence followed. Then Philip said, “Ill get over just as fast as I can.” CHAPTER FOURTHEN 4 ee scene that greeted Philip upon his arrival forty minutes later sent a stab of fear through his body. In O’Brien’s there was a carnival, Everyone seemed gloriously lit. It was almost like a New Year’s Eve party without the confetti and serpentine. Larry was bent over the keyboard playing as if inspired. But what shocked Philip out of his wits was his very own Connie. She was no longer the taciturn artist of the past week. She was sitting on the piano, her silken legs crossed, and a cham- pagne glass in her hand. Above the din and the music she was shouting encouragement to six volunteers from the audience who had come onto the dance floor to do a Virginia Reel. Philip elbowed his way back to her. ‘‘What’s going on here?” he demanded, but his words were lost in the noise. “Hi, Philip!” Connie cried merrily. “Sit down. Have a drink. That’s my table right over there.” He made another attempt to get heard but it was useless. His face was dark as he sat down at Connie’s table and waited for the dance to end. A short while later, Larry took an intermission. He helped Connie down from the piano and they both joined Philip whose disposition had not improved any during his wait. : “T think some sort of explanation is due,” Philip said grimly. “About what?” she asked. Gonniclo@oolks.€@ im