“I was surprised and humiliated by your actions at the station, brother,” she said reprovingly, “why, you actually laughed in his face.” “Couldn’t help it,” he confessed ruefully, “Percy is a regular freak, and I wish you would tell me how he came to be with you and mother.” “Don’t be too hard on the poor fellow, Jack,” his sister retorted, “he was very kind and obliging to us on the trip and we were glad to have his company on the long ride out here. “You see, it was this way, his father knows Dad well, and hearing we were going to Nevada his father asked Dad if he could take the trip with us. Percy had just recovered from a long illness, and the doctor ordered a change of climate for him. “Dad asked us if we cared to have Percy go with us, and we gave our consent as it is a long trip for two women to take alone. Percy is really a good fellow, only as you say, he has more money than brains. “He intends to stay at the hotel after to-night, but he thought it would be a _bally good chance_, as he put it, to see this part of the country.” Josephine had been an interested listener. “We couldn’t think of having Mr. Vanderpool stay at the hotel among total strangers,” she said warmly, “there is plenty of room at our ranch, and I think it will be great fun to have him with us.” “You girls can settle it between yourselves,” Mason ventured with an air of resignation. “If you are satisfied to have him stay at the ranch I guess I can stand his company, but the cowboys sure will have fun with him.” “Jack, watch where you’re going,” his sister cried, as the car gave a wide lurch and nearly went off the trail. He pulled the racer back onto the trail with a master hand and cut down his speed a trifle. “Anyone would think that you were jealous of Percy, the way you talk,” she added, giving Josephine a nudge. He laughed heartily. “Come now, sis, don’t accuse me of that; I want something to get jealous over first.”