None 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
thing. Now don't laugh, this is serious." She studied the palm a
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
withdraw this entry before exposure?"
"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."
"But about hanging on the verge--has it anything to do with a lynching,
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."