In the morning the Brock special bathed in sunshine lay in the Bear
Dance yard. When it was learned at breakfast that during the night
Morris Blood had disappeared there was a protest. He had taken a train
east, Glover told them.
"But you should not have let him run away," objected Marie Brock,
"we've barely made his acquaintance. I was going to ask him ever so
many questions about mines this morning. Tell him, Mr. Glover, when
you telegraph, that he has had a peremptory recall, will you? We want
him for dinner to-morrow night; papa and Mr. Bucks are to join us, you
know."
Mr. Brock arrived the following evening but the general manager failed
them, and it was long after hope of Morris Blood had been given up that
Glover brought him in with apologies for his late arrival.
The two cars were sidetracked at Cascade, the heart of the sightseeing
country, and Glover had a trip laid out for the early morning on horses
up Cabin Creek.
When he sat down to explain to Marie where he meant to take the party
the following day Gertrude Brock had a book under the banquet lamp at
the lower end of the car. The doctor and Harrison with Mrs. Whitney
were gathered about Louise, who among the couch pillows was reading
hands. As Morris Blood, after some talk with Mr. Brock, approached,
Louise nodded to him. "We shall take no apologies for spoiling our
dinner party," said she, "but you may sit down. I haven't been able,
Mr. Blood, to get your story out of my head since you told it: none of
us have. Do you believe in palmistry? Now, Mr. Harrison, do sit still
till I finish your hand. Oh, here's another engagement in it! Why,
Allen Harrison!"
"How many is that?" asked Gertrude, looking over.
"Three; and here is further excitement for you, Mr. Harrison----"
"How soon?" demanded Allen.
"Very soon, I should think; just as soon as you get home."
"Well timed," said Marie; she and Glover had come up. "I think that's
all, this time," concluded Louise, studying the lines carefully. "Go
slow on mining for one year, remember." She looked at Morris Blood.
"Am I to have the pleasure of reading your hand?"
"There isn't a bit of excitement in my hand, Miss Donner, no fortunes,
no adventures, no engagements----"
"You mean in your life. Very good; that's just the sort of hand I love
to read. The excitement is all ahead. Really I should like to read
your hand."
"If you insist," he said, putting out his left hand.
"Your right, please," smiled Louise.
"I have no right," he answered. She looked mystified, but held out her
hand smilingly for his right.
"I have no right hand," he repeated, smiling, too.