The Danger MarkChambers, Robert W. (Robert William)
General
The Danger Mark
Chambers, Robert W. (Robert William)
New York (N.Y.) -- Social life and customs -- Fiction
"You didn't tell me it was to be a round-up," repeated Duane, absently
surveying his chintz-hung quarters. "This is a pretty place you've given
me. Where do you get all your electric lights? Where do you get fancy
plumbing in this wilderness?"
"Our own plant," explained the boy proudly. "Isn't that corking water?
Look at it--heavenly cold and clear, or hot as hell, whichever way
you're inclined--" turning on a silver spigot chiselled like a cherub.
"That water comes from Cloudy Lake, up there on that dome-shaped
mountain. Here, stand here beside me, Duane, and you can see it from
your window. That's the Gilded Dome--that big peak. It's in our park.
There are a few elk on it, not many, because they'd starve out the deer.
As it is, we have to cut browse in winter. For Heaven's sake, hurry,
man! Get into your bath and out again, or we'll miss the trout jumping
along Gray Water and Hurryon Brook."
"Let 'em jump!" retorted Duane, forcibly ejecting his host from the room
and locking the door. Then, lighting a cigarette, he strolled into the
bath room and started the water running into the porcelain tub.
He was in excellent spirits, quite undisturbed by the unexpected
proximity of Rosalie Dysart or the possible renewal of their hitherto
slightly hazardous friendship. He laid his cigarette aside for the
express purpose of whistling while undressing.
Half an hour later, bathed, shaved, and sartorially freshened, he
selected a blue corn-flower from the rural bouquet on his dresser, drew
it through his buttonhole, gave a last alluring twist to his tie,
surveyed himself in the mirror, whistled a few bars, was perfectly
satisfied with himself, then, unlocking the door, strolled out into the
corridor. Having no memory for direction, he took the wrong turn.
A distractingly pretty maid laid aside her sewing and rose from her
chair to set him right; he bestowed upon her his most courtly thanks.
She was unusually pretty, so he thanked her again, and she dimpled, one
hand fingering her apron's edge.
"My child," said he gravely, "are you by any fortunate chance as good as
you are ornamental?"
She replied that she thought she was.
"In that case," he said, "this is one of those rare occasions in a
thankless world where goodness is amply and instantly rewarded."
She made a perfunctory resistance, but looked after him, smiling, as he
sauntered off down the hallway, rearranging the blue corn-flower in his
button-hole. At the turn by the window, where potted posies stood, he
encountered Rosalie Dysart in canoe costume--sleeves rolled up, hair
loosened, becomingly tanned, and entirely captivating in her
thoughtfully arranged disarray.
"Why, Duane!" she exclaimed, offering both her hands with that
impulsively unstudied gesture she carefully cultivated for such
occasions.
He took them; he always took what women offered.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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