A short silence fell.
“May I inquire, Mr. Lennox, the reason for this flattering offer?” said Dot, speaking for the first time. “Perhaps I should not ask the question but I can’t help being curious——”
“You’re quite entitled to know, and I welcome the opportunity to explain, Miss Huntington,” the man replied affably. “You see, several of us have organized what we call the Geerusalem Amusement Company. Among a number of other prospective enterprises, we intend to establish a resort—a place of recreation a few miles out of camp, where people can come and enjoy themselves. We have had some choice places in view as a likely site—the Las Animas Ranch and the Cañon Spring Ranch, for instance—but we decided that your father’s was the logical one, since it was the nearest from town and correspondingly more available to the public.”
“That’s a poorty slick idea,” said Lemuel, with an approving nod at Dot. “The ranch sure is handy, an’—— Funny I hadn’t thought of that before.”
“This resort, Mr. Lennox, what would it be like? you certainly can’t mean a picnic ground or a place for outings,” probed Dot, unable to visualize anything of a particularly attractive nature about her desert home.
Lennox shook his head. “I’m afraid you didn’t quite catch my meaning. For one thing, we expect to erect a bathhouse. By sinking wells in the bed of the Mohave River, which passes through the property, we feel satisfied we will strike a large subterranean flow of water. We might even put in a concrete pool, if the amount of water warrants it. Anyhow, bathing facilities would be our big drawing card. Added to it, of course, would be a saloon, dance hall, gambling, doubtless a hotel, should business demand it. In a word, we are looking to construct a modern resort in the middle of the desert. It’ll cost a barrel of money, but we believe the venture a good one.”
Lemuel, in high spirits over the prospects of disposing of his land for a price that, even as Lennox had stated, was double its market value, rubbed his hands with ill-concealed gratification.
“Dick, as the feller says, nuthin’ ventured’ll git you nuthin’. Bein’ that you’ve bin out in the open with me—laid yore hand on the table, so to speak—I’ll jest call you. You give me seventy-five hundred fur them two quarter sections, an’ they’re yourn——”
“Just one moment, father!” interrupted Dot.
During Lennox’s explanation of what the contemplated resort was to be, she had sat with her eyes fixed on the carpet at her feet, listening in silence. Now she rose and stood before the two men, her face set and just a trifle pale.