Crossroads of Desire by Amos Hatter — page 63: what you’re looking at

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

: CROSSROADS OF DESIRE : “Well, Philip,” she said, “I’ve just heard that you’ve branch- ing out. Congratulations. I hope Jane will make you a good manager.” . Philip’s heart skipped a beat in the presence of his lost love. Jane might prove more faithful than Connie, but she could ee equal the dancer’s beauty and fire. He arose. “We might as well all remain friends. Why don’t i down here with us.” z Pete oe Connie accepted the invitation. She did it mainly to spite Larry. They couldn’t very well continue their argument in front of these people. Maybe he’d cool off and be more amenable. “I trust you've found another connection, Mr. Brooks,” said Philip while they waited for some drinks. YES I’m starting next week in a joint down in the Village.” And what are your plans, Connie?” I don’t know,” she answered with a lift of her chin. Again a pang of remorse shot through Philip. Giving Connie the old heave ho hadn’t been as easy as he thought. It grieved him to think of her at loose ends. With nothing to do. No place to go. She was so lovely, so proud, so completely feminine. We’ll be down to hear you play one of these. nights, Larry,” Ginger spoke up. “Fine. I hope all my friends will drop around.” Their highbals were served and everyone drank a toast to Larry S new job. Ginger prattled on merrily with Robbin and Philip adding an occasional remark. Larry and Connie vere strangely Silent. Ginger was the first to notice this and a malicious glint came into her sparkling eyes. “What goes on between you two? Anything wrong? asked the blonde, glancing with amusement from one to the other. Robbin kicked Ginger’s ankle under the table. But even with that distraction Ginger did not fail to catch Connie’s look as She raised her guard. She also noticed the oblique, half-smile Larry cast at the dancer. Ginger knew something was there. Knew it for sure. “There’s nothing wrong that a good night’s sleep wouldn't cure.” Larry mused then drained his glass, “Provided one can sleep in good beds,’”’ Connie said acidly. Philip blinked. Even he could see that all was not well 124 CROSSROADS OF DESIRE between the two. A flicker of hope arose inside him. He ordered Larry another drink. In the space of ten minutes he ordered him two more. Connie had not reckoned with liquor when she had sat down at Philip's table. Larry was on his way to getting drunk. She realised this all of a sudden, when Ginger Doss asked him to play the piano. Larry stood up instantly, swaying a little. “Good ol’ piano,’ he muttered, squinting at the upright over in the corner. ‘‘Won’t see you any more after tonight.” He _ plodded over to it and sat down heavily on the stool. He began to play his nostalgic ragtime. Connie remained at the table. She contained her bitterness for fifteen minutes, then got up and went over to him. “Larry, don’t you think we’d better go now?” He glanced up at her, an inebriated grin on his face. He began to laugh loudly. What Connie didn’t know was that his laughter was covering the agony in his heart. For through his dulled senses Larry had finally and at least reached a firm conclusion. The little spat he’d had with Connie tonight had convinced him that their love could never be. He had known it all along but’ had forgotten it under the infiuence of Connie’s overwhelming personality, the spell of her great beauty. “V'll go with you, Larry,” she said meekly. “Aw forget it, Connie,” he mumbled, as he played. “Forget everything. I’m not your kind. Never will be.” Horror and desperation spread over Connie’s face. “You mean,” she said spacing her words, “you don’t want—you don’t want me!” It had started out as a question but ended up as a Statement. : “Maybe that’s it,’ he said, his mind whirling. Connie was stunned. She stood there a moment in a daze. Slowly she turned, hardly. knowing what she was doing. Like a sleepwalker she moved toward’s Philip’s table. But she didn’t stop. She kept right on going toward the door of the saloon. 4 The next moment she disappeared into the night. “Where’s she going?” Philip cried in alarm. “Maybe just out to get some fresh air,’ Ginger suggested. “I—Td better go see if she’s all right.” Philip got up and ran after her. Outsidejin By Nojice he 15 COMMUCLIOO) <SneOin Pe att