So the next morning after an almost sleepless night found him hard at work on his racing car. He was so deeply interested in his work that he didn’t hear a light step near him until a subdued ripple of laughter caused him to look up in surprise. The mistress of the ranch stood before him and was regarding him with a look of approval. He made her a profound bow. “Oh, most charming slave-driver, does my work please the little Princess?” he questioned her with mock humility. Her eyes held him with a smile. “The machine certainly looks more presentable,” she returned in the same light vein. She gave the car another sharp appraising look, and glanced at him. “And you look as though you had tried to clean it, from the appearance of your face and those dirty overalls,” she added. The smile had cropped out again and with it the appearance of the pretty dimples he secretly adored. “I confess I do look like a coal heaver,” he said, starting up briskly, “but I’ve had the engine running like a top and it is in fine shape. I will have these duds off and be cleaned up in about a minute. Please run along now, Josephine, and get ready. I will drive right up to the house for you.” Josephine had already started for the house. “I will be ready and waiting for you, Sir Jack,” she called back to him as he stood watching her trim figure until she disappeared in the house. Five minutes later Mason was speeding along the trail with Josephine beside him in the low seat of his powerful racer. She was in high spirits as usual, but seemed to be in a meditative mood. He stole a glance at her to find her eyes searching his face with an odd expression in them. “I am puzzled and curious to see that third party my sister is bringing with her,” he said, breaking a long silence. She nodded. “I was thinking of about the same thing. I hope your mother and sister will like me,” she said wistfully. He laughed outright. “So, that is what you are worrying your pretty head about. Well, I will answer for mother, and as for sis, she will take to you like a duck does to water.” “Do you really think so?” there was a little catch to her voice. “I know so.” There was a positive ring to his voice. Josephine looked pleased. “I am glad to hear you say that. I was afraid your sister would be such a fine lady and wear such grand clothes that I would appear like a savage to her, and you know we are kind of wild and woolly out here.” “Well, you will get the surprise of your young life, then,” he declared. “Sis is athletic, and plays tennis and baseball just the same as I do, and I know you two will be chums from the minute you meet.” Josephine was silent in thought, but he could see there was a pleased look on her face. They had been making fast time, and already the outbuildings of Trader’s Post were plainly visible.