“I shouldn’t wonder, Mr. Knapp.” “I got a good offer—leastways, better than those sharks, Stiffbold and Lightly, would make me after they’d seen the ranch—from some lawyers out there. They planked down a thousand for an option, and told me to come East and close the deal with this Major Dale. And it never entered into this stupid head of mine that he was related to—to Miss Dale.” “Isn’t that funny?” giggled Tavia. Then, as Jennie appeared from the baggage room and the westbound train whistled for the station, she added: “Just wait for me until I see a friend off on this train, Mr. Knapp, and I’ll drive you out.” “Drive me out where?” asked Garry Knapp. “To see—er—_Major_ Dale,” she returned, and ran away. When the train had gone she found the Westerner standing between his two heavy bags about where she had left him. “Those old suitcases look so natural,” she said, laughing at his serious face. “Throw them into the tonneau and sit beside me in front. I’ll show you some driving.” “But look here! I can’t do this,” he objected. “You cannot do what?” demanded Tavia. “Are _you_ staying with Miss Dale?” “Of course I am staying with Doro. I don’t know but I am more at home at The Cedars than I am at the Travers domicile in Dalton.” “But wait!” he begged. “There must be a hotel here?” “In North Birchland? Of course.” “You’d better take me there, Miss Travers, if you’ll be so kind. I want to secure a room.” “Nothing doing! You’ve got to come out to The Cedars with me,” Tavia declared. “Why, Do—I mean, of course, Major Dale would never forgive me if I failed to bring you, baggage and all. His friends do not stop at the North Birchland House I’d have you know.” “But, honestly, Miss Travers, I don’t like it. I don’t understand it. And Major Dale isn’t my friend.” “Oh, _isn’t_ he? You just wait and see!” cried Tavia. “I didn’t know about your coming East. Of course, if it is business——” “That is it, exactly,” the young man said, nervously. “I—I couldn’t impose upon these people, you know.” “Say! you want to sell your land, don’t you?” demanded Tavia. “Ye—es,” admitted Garry Knapp, slowly. “Well, if a man came out your way to settle a business matter, you wouldn’t let him go to a hotel, would you? You’d be angry,” said Tavia, sensibly, “if he insisted upon doing such a thing. Major Dale could not have been informed when you would arrive, or he would have had somebody here at the station to meet you.” “No. I didn’t tell the lawyers when I’d start,” said Garry. “Don’t make a bad matter worse then,” laughed Tavia, her eyes twinkling as she climbed in and sat back of the wheel. “Hurry up. If you want to sell your land you’d better waste no more time getting out to The Cedars.” The Westerner got into the car in evident doubt. He suspected that he had been called East for something besides closing a real estate transaction. Tavia suspected so, too; and she was vastly amused.