The Daughter of a Magnate
Page 23None had observed before that the superintendent never offered his hand
in greeting. A conscious instant fell on the group. It was barely an
instant, for Glover, who heard, turned at once from an answer to Marie
Brock and laying a hand on his companion's shoulder spoke easily to
Louise. "He gave his right hand for me once, Miss Donner, that's the
reason he has none. May I offer mine for him?"
He put out his own right hand as he asked, and his lightly serious
words bridged the momentary embarrassment.
"Oh, I can read either hand," laughed Louise, recovering and putting
Glover's hand aside. "Let me have your left, Mr. Blood--your turn
presently, Mr. Glover. Be seated. Now this is the sort of hand I
like," she declared, leaning forward as she looked into the left--"full
of romance, Mr. Blood. Here is an affair of the heart the very first
moment and glanced mischievously around her. "If I were to disclose
all the delicate romances I find here," she declared with an air of
mystery, "they would laugh at both of us. I'm not going to give them a
chance. I give private readings, too, Mr. Blood, and you shall have a
private reading at the other end or the car after a while. Now is
there another 'party'? Oh, to be sure; come, Mr. Glover, are all
railroad men romantic? This is growing interesting--let me see your
palm. Oh!"
"Now what have I done?" asked Glover as Louise, studying his palm,
started. "I have changed my name--I admit that; but I have always
denied killing anyone in the States. Are you going to tell the real
facts? Won't someone lend me a hand for a few minutes? Or may I
"Mr. Glover! of all the hands! I'm not surprised you were chosen to
show the sights. There's something happening in your hand every few
minutes. Adventures, heart affairs, fortunes, perils--such a
life-line, Mr. Glover. On my word there you are hanging by a hair--a
hair--on the verge of eternity----"
Glover laughed softly.
"Oh, come, Louise," protested Mrs. Whitney. "Touch on lighter lines,
please."
"Lighter lines! Why, Mr. Glover's heart-line is a perfect cañon." The
laughter did not daunt her. "A perfect cañon. I've read about hands
like this, but I never saw one. No more to-night, Mr. Glover, you are
too exciting."
do you think, Miss Donner?" asked Glover. "The hair rope might be a
lariat----"
"Mr. Glover!"--the train conductor opened the car door. "Is Mr. Glover
in this car?"
"Yes."
"A message."
"May I be excused for a moment?" said Glover, rising.
"What did I tell you?" exclaimed Louise, "a telegram! Something has
happened already."