The Trumpeter Swan

Irene Temple Bailey (ca. 1885 – July 6, 1953) was an American novelist and short story writer.Beginning around 1902, Temple Bailey was contributing stories to national magazines.Excerpt-The man in the drawing-room shone, in the few glimpses that the others had of him, with an effulgence which was dazzling. His valet, the intermittent sleeper in the end berth, was a smug little soul, with a small nose which pointed to the stars. When the door of the compartment opened to admit breakfast there was the radiance of a brocade dressing-gown, the shine of a sleek head, the staccato of an imperious voice.
Randy Paine, long and lank, in faded khaki, rose, leaned over the seat of the section in front of him and drawled, "It is not raining rain to me--it's raining roses--down----?"