Crossroads of Desire by Amos Hatter — page 62: what you’re looking at

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

CROSSROADS OF DESIRE “Yow re living with me just as soon as we can arrange to make it legal,” said Larry. “Yes, but why spend the hight over O’Brien’s saloon when we can be cozy and comfortable in a much nicer place?’* “You might as well start getting used to living like that,” he replied. ‘ Connie was silent as the taxi fled through the night up a darkened street. When she spoke her voice had taken on more insistence. “Look, sweetie, all my things are at my place.” ' “But none of mine are,” he said lightly. Connie was silent for two more blocks. “I don’t want to sleep there,” she said flatly. Larry’s eyebrows shot up. He looked around at her stiffly. “And I don’t want to sleep in an apartment that Philip Hatha- way is paying for. Understand?” She would have bought that deal. But the inflection of his final word, the way he said “Understand?” put Connie on her muscle. Larry was being entirely too domineering all of a Sudden, : “We'll move out of there at the end of the month. Mean- while, there isn’t any reason at all why we shouldn't use it, After all, the apartment is mine for the next two weeks,” said Connie evenly. ; “Yeah, but how did you earn it?” The words got out before Larry could think, He was sorry the instant he said them. That wasn’t the issue. He began an immediate apology but Connie cut him off. “So!” she exclaimed, sitting bolt upright in the taxi. “That's how you feel. Well! Maybe we’d better review this whole thing,’ “Now look, Connie—” = “Look nothing! I’m giving up everything for you. ’m willing to start all over and work my fingers to the bone to make it possible ., .” t Larry. bristled. “What do you mean—youw’re going to work to make that possible. I’m the one who’s going to pay the freight in this family.” “Alright, you are. But until you’ve become successful, I’m the one who’s going to have to really produce!” 122 CROSSROADS OF DESIRE The taxi stopped in front of O’Brien’s. The argument had be- - come rather violent by now. The driver got his money and drove _ off hurriedly, leaving them standing on the sidewalk in front of the saloon. : shin “Youre being bullheaded,” said Connie, folding her arm defiantly. “You're the one who’s stubborn,” he shouted back at her. Vian Ob." “You are.” Connie said, “You’re content to be mediocre. That’s your trouble.” Larry said, “Nuts.” ‘ : They glared at each other. Behind the pride and the hurt in them was heartbreak. Yet neither would give in. Neither would make the first break. The impasse might have gone on. indefinitely, had not O’Brien chanced to glance through the window at that moment. He went to the door and ealled them. “fi, folks. Come on and have a drink. This is my last might. Still deadlock, they turned in silence and entered. A drink was welcomed by both. At a-table in the rear of the establish- ment sat Ginger Doss, Robbin Walker and Philip Hathaway. Ginger was the first to spy Connie and Larry. “Well, look who’s here!” she cried with amusement. CHAPTER EIGHTEEN “TRAVE you heard the goad news?” O’Brien inquired as he walked with them toward a booth in the back. ae Neither Connie nor Larry said anything. They hadn’t heard any good news. -Not in the past twenty minutes. ‘Tm leaving for Florida tomorrow.” ; meer “Who’s going to manage the place while you’re gone?” said Larry. ae that. “Jane Vollmer?” Connie came alive at that. “Jan ? : iS O’Brien nodded. Just then they passed the table wher € Philip sat with his friends. Connie noticed them for the first time. She stopped. IBeCOLMNICELOOOlKS. COM: »eway