“Well, you can take the matter up with Dad when he comes,” he said briefly, starting for the door. “Roy is going to take me to Trader’s Post to see if they have got my car repaired.” Josephine had just entered the room and he paused, with his hand on the door knob. She was dressed in a stunning creation of champagne silk and he gazed at her in silent admiration. “How do you like my new dress, Sir Jack?” she asked, making him a curtsy. “My, but you are a busy man. I am going to play lady for a few days, and I intended to ask you to take me down to Rover’s kennel. Father tells me the poor dog has been acting sick lately, and I want to see if there is anything I can do for him.” “Certainly I’ll go with you,” he answered readily; “I will tell Roy not to wait for me and will join you in a minute.” Roy agreed to make the trip alone, and when Mason arrived at the kennel, Josephine was bending over Rover. The dog was frisking around her and joyously barking a welcome. “There’s nothing the matter with Rover, he’s merely lonesome to see you,” he said. They had taken seats on a rustic bench between two cottonwood trees. Josephine was fondly watching the dog’s antics. “Oh, I am so glad there is nothing the matter with him. He was the means of saving my life once, you know.” “That time, I remember well,” he answered, a feeling of gloom stealing over him. He was thinking of her deep concern over Bud’s injury when she was rescued from the brute Tom Powers. “I suppose you would have been better pleased yesterday if Bud had been the one to rescue you,” he said, a little ungallantly. “What makes you think that?” her face was averted from him. “Well, you love him, don’t you?” he put the question bluntly. Josephine was silent and he relentlessly repeated his question. “No, I—I—love some one else,” the girl faltered at last. His breath came in quick gasps. “I don’t suppose I have the right to know, but is it one of the Gaylor boys you love?” “No.” “Well, is it anybody I know?” “Yes, and he’s an awful thickhead, but—I—I-love—him just the same.” He turned away in irritation. “Well, I should think a girl of your intellect would pick out a man with brains, anyway,” he said wrathfully. “I—I—have, but—at times, he’s such a fool.” He turned slowly and looked at her in exasperation. The girl’s head had sunk forward, and he heard her sobbing softly. “Josephine!” Quickly he bent over her and raised her face to his as he gathered her in his arms. Her eyes were shining through her tears like beautiful stars, and he saw a light in them that thrilled him. He kissed away the tears as she lay quiet and passive in his arms. “Josephine, you love me?” he whispered in wondering delight. “Silly boy,” she managed to gasp, “I have loved you from the first time we met. Now, unhand me, you villain. Here come Ethel and Bud and they will see us.” “I don’t care,” he said recklessly, holding her fast. “Anyway, they are going into the house.”