Crossroads of Desire by Amos Hatter — page 55: what you’re looking at

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

CROSSROADS OF DESIRE “There are a number of things that we must talk about, Connie,” he began. “First, I want to report that my attorney has succeeded in getting all charges against us dismissed.’ “I figured he would.” “Secondly,” Philip went on, “have you talked to any news- paper men today?” “No. I haven’t talked to anyone.” “For once you showed good judgment,” Philip commented and Connie glanced at him sharply. ‘Needless to say, the publicity was most unfortunate. It’s embarrassed me tre- mendously all over town.” “I didn’t ask you to come to O’Brien’s last night. Don’t forget that!” she cracked. “That’s true, but you sure made me sorry I had.” “Then don’t go blaming me.” “The blame goes much deeper,” he said, gazing at her evenly. “T’ve suspected for some time that you’ve been interested in that piano player. I can tolerate no more of such monkey business.” Connie eyed him carefully. ‘‘Look here, Philip. If you think you can control me every hour of the day, you’ve got another think coming.” “That might be, but there is also a limit as to how far I’ll go in sharing you with anyone. The affair last night has already created a storm in the Association. That old battle-ax, Mrs. Switzer, got in touch with me today and said she was pulling out. Several others are going with her. ’m now holding the bag for just about the whole investment in the Ballet du Roi.” “Then you'll get most.of the profit.” “There won't be any profit if patrons of the ballet get the idea its premiere danseuse is nothing but a gutter snipe.” Connie’s eyes were narrow but she said nothing. Philip had something there and she knew it. “So I’ve taken some drastic steps today to see to it that nothing of the sort reoccurs. I’m fed up with that ragtime fellow.” ig “What’s he got to do with it? He composed the music to the new ballet. He’ll make us all more money.” “And more trouble, I’m afraid, if I’d tet things go on as they were.” “What have you done?” she asked, fear jostling her suspicion. 108 CROSSROADS OF DESIRE “As you know I agreed to pay for the damages suffered by O’Brien last night. He came to the office this morning and after presenting an estimate, my attorney suggested that I’d be better off just buying the place.” Connie stared at him in amazement. “You did that?” “Yes,” Philip nodded. “I am now the owner of O’Brien’s saloon and I have hired him to run it for me, at least tem- porarily.” ‘ “What’s that got to do with Larry?” she asked, growing Suddenly nervous, “T told O’Brien to fire him,” said Philip with a half smile on his lips. “Effective this date, Mr. Brooks is unemployed as far as I’m concerned.” “Youre not being fair with him, Philip,” she said, trying desperately for the right words. He shrugged, “The fellow means absolutely nothing to me. He’s been only a source of irritation. Good riddance, I’d say.” “But—” she pleaded, “don’t you see? He had nothing to do With it. If all this was anybody’s fault it was mine.” “I thought you’d get around to admitting that sooner or later, my dear,” Philip smiled. “And that brings me to the next thing I wanted to discuss with you.” “Wait a minute. You can’t do this. You simply can’t, Philip. Larry needs his job. He oughtn’t to suffer,” Connie begged. “He'll get work in some other honky-tonk. If he doesn’t—” Philip shrugged. ‘‘What difference does it make. He’s only a piano player.” ; “Only a piano player!” she echoed hotly. All at once she felt anger welling within her. She had to keep control now at all costs.. “Tell you what,” said Philip reconsidering. He eyed her thoughtfully. “It just occurred to me that I might be willing to put him back on the job. On one condition, however.” “What?” “That you agree never to see him again.” They looked at each other..A smug smile was on Philip’s lips. Connie was desperate, cornered. “That’s impossible, We’re going to have to see each other as _ we work out the new ragtime ballet,” she said, grasping at any thing with which to fight back. 109 CONMICOOOKS.COU