WELCOME VISITORS
Two days later unusual scenes of activity took place at Bar X ranch.
There was a general brightening and cleaning up about the place.
Cowboys were industriously cleaning horses and polishing saddle
accoutrements. The ranch-house was being vigorously cleaned and aired.
The reason for all this extra work was a telegram that Mason was
reading for perhaps the hundredth time. He whistled gaily as he thrust
the telegram back in his pocket and started to tune up his racing car.
The day before, Scotty had ridden in from the Post with a telegram for
Mason. When he read its contents he gave a cry of delight. It was from
his sister and stated that she was coming with his mother to pay him a
visit and they were bringing along a friend of the family for company.
The telegram had been dispatched from a town where the party had a
stopover and Mason hastily consulting a time-table found that they
would arrive at the Post the next day.
The good news had banished all thoughts of MacNutt and his strange
actions from his mind.
Scotty had immediately been sent back to the Post to await their
arrival.
Mason had broken the news to Josephine and they planned to drive the
car to Trader’s Post early the next morning. The girl’s face was all
aglow at the prospect of meeting his folks. She had assumed command of
the ranch, making the cook brighten up about the bunk-house and
mess-room while giving orders to the cowboys about their general
unclean appearance that made them gasp in wonder. Mason had come in
for his share of the cleaning-up process and after seeing the entire
ranch force set in motion, he meekly submitted.
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.
A few minutes later Mason drove into the town and stopping at the
hotel inquired for Scotty. He was informed that Scotty had left an
hour ago for the small station four miles distant, as the train was
about due. Scotty had put up at the hotel over night and naturally
would be fresh for the long trip back to the ranch. His wagon would
accommodate four people, and the plan was to have Mason’s mother and
the mysterious third party ride to the ranch with Scotty while Mason
was to take his sister and Josephine in his car. Mason broke all speed
limits for the four miles, and when they drove up to the small station
in a cloud of dust, Scotty waved at them from the platform. He was
grinning broadly, and Mason was keenly amused when Josephine hastened
over and surveyed him critically. There was a pleased smile on her
face.
“Scotty, I see that you have obeyed my instructions and haven’t drunk
anything,” she said kindly, while shaking his hand.
“Nope,” he answered, beaming on her. “I reckon a man would be plumb
crazy that didn’t try to please you.”
“You won’t lose anything by doing as I want you to, Scotty. Oh, I hear
the whistle of the train!”
She seized Mason by the arm and they took a position on the platform.
There was the same old stage that had carried him to Trader’s Post,
and the same talkative driver. Mason peered anxiously as the train
came to a stop with a shrieking and grinding of brakes, and as the
passengers began to get off, he strode forward eagerly as he made out
the familiar face of his sister Ethel. She caught sight of him at the
same instant.
“Jack!” she gasped, as he nearly swung her off her feet.
“Where is mother?” he demanded, holding her at arm’s length.
“Right behind you, stupid,” she managed to say when she had got her
breath back. “And allow me to introduce Mr. Percy Vanderpool.”
Mason kissed his mother and turned to acknowledge the introduction.
Percy Vanderpool. Then his eyes twinkled and he had to force back a
laugh of merriment.
So this was the third party. Percy was a fop, but he came from a very
aristocratic family. Mason had known of him through some of the New
York clubs which he held membership in. He had nothing against the
fellow, only his fondness to ape English ways and wear loud clothes.
Percy was dressed in a loud checkered suit and Mason grinned in his
face as he shook hands. His hand had a decided feminine touch and
Mason chuckled as he thought of the amusement he would provide for the
cowboys. Josephine had held back, but now Mason caught her hand and
drew her into the group.
“Mother, I wish to introduce you and sis to a real Western girl, Miss
Josephine Walters,” he said.
Ethel put her arms around Josephine and kissed her. “I feel that I
have known you for a long time, dear,” she said sweetly. “Jack has
written home about you in all his letters and urged me to visit you.”
Josephine’s face was radiant, while she could only stammer a few words
as she was introduced to Mason’s mother and Percy Vanderpool. Mason
took the situation in hand by rounding up Scotty and introducing him
to his folks. The cowboy stood fingering his hat while his face grew
red with embarrassment.
He shifted his feet awkwardly as Mason introduced him to Percy
Vanderpool and Mason tried hard to keep back a smile when he noticed a
blank look spread over the cowboy’s face as he sized Percy up.
Ethel soon put the cowboy at ease by chatting with him in her friendly
way, and won his eternal friendship by praising up Nevada climate and
the healthy condition of her brother Jack.
“Break away, you two,” Mason cut in with a laugh. “Sis, you will have
Scotty hypnotized in another minute. I have arranged to have you ride
to the ranch with Josephine and myself, while Percy and mother will
ride with Scotty. I know that mother doesn’t like to ride fast, and I
can easily take you in my car. Will that plan suit you, mother?”
“You know it will, son,” she answered.
“Yes,” Ethel said in a bantering tone, “you know that mother never
could get used to your reckless driving, but I’m willing to risk my
neck, and if anything happens you will have two victims to haunt you.”
“Oh, come now, sis, I’m not as reckless a driver as that,” he
protested, grinning broadly as he noticed a long look on the cowboy’s
face.
Scotty had evidently expected Ethel to ride with him for his face
showed disappointment.
“It seems a shame,” Josephine spoke up, “to go on and leave Mrs.
Mason. Scotty won’t get to the ranch before nightfall. I’ve a notion
to ride with Scotty and keep her company.”
“No, my dear,” Mrs. Mason interposed hastily, “I will enjoy this ride
to the ranch. You young folks go ahead in the car. I will sleep better
to-night after a long ride in the air, as my head aches from riding in
hot, stuffy trains.”
Mason bundled his sister and Josephine into his car.
“You will have plenty of time to reach the ranch before dark, Scotty,”
he called back to the cowboy as he started his racer off with a rush.
They passed through Trader’s Post at a more moderate speed, as Mason
wanted his sister to get a good look at the town.
“It isn’t much of a place,” Josephine confided to Ethel in an
apologetic voice, “but we do about all our trading there.”
“Oh, I think this country is great. I haven’t been away from New York
in a long time and this vacation will do me good,” Ethel answered
enthusiastically.
She looked curiously at her brother.
“Now, what are you grinning about, Jack?” she demanded.
“I was wondering where you picked it up,” he said, his face now sober
as a deacon.
“It, what?” she queried, her eyes wide in astonishment.
“Why, Percy Vanderpool, of course. Did he wish himself on you, or did
you invite him out here? I have seen him at the clubs in New York, and
he was noted for a brainless wonder although he traveled in the best
of society.”
“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.”
A general laugh followed his remark, but the girls could see that he
was a little nettled over his sister’s teasing. Josephine changed the
subject by drawing Ethel’s attention to the nature of the country they
were passing through. The city girl was deeply interested in the
seemingly never ending chain of mountains in the distance, and
expressed her admiration for the beautiful valleys and mountains in
glowing terms. Soon, they fell to talking of city society and the
prevalent fashions in gowns, while Mason turned his attention to
getting more speed out of his motor. A feeling of contentment seized
him now that his sister was with him, and he was positive she would be
able to explain more fully the enmity that existed between his father
and Ricker. It was all a confused muddle to him, and as his thoughts
ran in this channel it put a damper on his spirits. They had struck a
better stretch of road and he turned his attention once more to the
girls at his side. One glance at their smiling faces quickly dispelled
all his gloom. They were nearing the ranch now and Josephine was
pointing out points of interest to the city girl, who was showing
lively interest in everything.
“We are pretty close to home now, girls,” Mason said with a smile, “I
trust you have enjoyed the ride, and have no broken bones?”
“You drove fine, Sir Jack,” Josephine spoke up; “drive right up to the
house and I’ll make your sister acquainted with my folks while you are
putting the car up.”
Mason unloaded his fair passengers at the ranch door after first
promising Josephine to make haste in putting the car up as she wanted
him to accompany them for a brief walk around the ranch. They were
somewhat cramped and lame from the long ride and felt that a walk
would do them good. It was still early in the afternoon and they would
have time to show his sister about the ranch before Scotty arrived
with his passengers. Josephine had asked Ethel as they were entering
the house if she was tired, and the prompt answer she received to the
contrary was proof of Mason’s assertion that his sister was athletic
and strong. Josephine’s heart warmed to the city girl for she admired
strength and ruggedness, she herself being practically born in the
open air.
Her fondest hopes were realized, for here was a girl after her own
heart whom she could make a companion and chum of, and she intended to
keep her at the ranch as long as possible.
Mason was longer than he expected in putting the car away and had just
started for the house when he saw the girls coming out. He paused in
his walk and studied them as they came walking toward him, life and
animation in their stride.
“Beauties, both of them,” he muttered half unconsciously to himself,
“and fine girls whom a man would fight to the death for.”
Both girls were about the same build, Ethel being a trifle heavier.
She was a decided brunette while Josephine was more of the blonde
type. For richness of color the Western girl had the advantage over
the city girl, but both were good to look at.
“And what were you mooning about, Sir Jack?” Josephine challenged him,
when both girls paused in front of him and made a curtsey.
“I’ll never tell you,” he answered, as with a bow he returned their
salute. “You both would have swelled heads, and I refuse to have two
vain girls on my hands.”
Both girls charged at him and insisted that he tell them at once. He
laughingly compromised with them by offering to show them around the
ranch in the short time before his mother should arrive.
Mason first conducted them to the corral, his sister being an admirer
of fine horses, and as they were starting to leave the corral for an
inspection of the bunk-house and mess room, Bud Anderson with a group
of mounted cowboys swept past them with a rush.
“Oh, who was that fine looking man at the head of those cowboys?” his
sister asked in open admiration.
“That’s Bud Anderson, the sheriff and foreman of this ranch,” he
answered, trying to conceal a rising note of vexation that had crept
into his voice in spite of himself.
Was it possible his sister would fall in love with Bud, as had
Josephine? He put the question to himself as the thought struck him.
Bud was a fine fellow, he had to admit, but he felt a sharp pang of
jealousy whenever he saw Josephine talking to Bud. Josephine had
called to him and he wheeled from the group of cowboys and bringing
his plunging horse to a stand, dismounted in front of them.
“What a superb horseman,” was Ethel’s comment after she had been
introduced to him.
He had left them after promising Josephine that he would be on hand
the next morning with his cowboys to show the visitors some fancy
riding. Ethel began to feel a little tired after they had walked
around a bit longer, and Josephine suggested that they go into the
house and rest up for the next day. This plan was agreed to and on
arriving at the house they had chairs placed on the porch, where lunch
was served to them by Pomp, the cowboys’ cook, who had been pressed
into double service.
Josephine explained that she often had him come to the house to
prepare special dishes and that he was a very expert cook who took
delight in showing his skill. Josephine soon excused herself, saying
she had to see Pomp about a late dinner. Mason seized the opportunity
to ask his sister about their father, and what she knew about the long
enmity Ricker held against him.
“I don’t understand the matter clearly, Jack,” she began, “but father
told me the last thing before I left New York to caution you to be on
your guard as Ricker is his bitter enemy and would do you harm out of
revenge for a fancied wrong he thinks father did him years ago.”
“Yes, I know that much for Dad wrote me about it in his letter,” he
answered impatiently.
“But there is something mysterious back of it all,” she insisted
gravely. “Dad says he has a man working on the case out here and that
he would make himself known to you at the proper time.”
He was astonished at this bit of news and stared at her incredulously.
“It’s a fact,” she went on, speaking rapidly, “you know Dad is
levelheaded, but stern in his ways, and never does things by halves.
Something must have happened since you left home that he is gravely
concerned about, for he worries about you continually. You must
promise me, Jack, to watch out for Ricker for I know he will do you
harm if he gets half a chance. Dad says he has a man out here looking
after his interests and that is all I know about it, only you must be
careful.”
“It is something new for Dad to worry about me, but I am more puzzled
to know who the man is that he has working for him out here. I can’t
figure out who it can be,” he said thoughtfully, then his eyes gleamed
as though a sudden thought had occurred to him.
“I know that Dad is proud of you and is pleased with the way you have
been making good out here,” his sister continued. “He often speaks of
you and every time he receives a letter from Mr. Walters he chuckles,
and once I heard him say you were a _chip of the old block_ and
then he blew his nose violently and looked stern again. You know his
peculiar ways, Jack, but he thinks the world of you.”
His eyes grew misty as he realized his sister spoke the truth and he
was glad he was making good for his father had always been lavish with
him as far as money matters went, but he never had dreamed his stern
parent cared for him like this.
Josephine had now joined them and the conversation ran to lighter
channels much to Mason’s relief as he was beginning to feel blue.
It was about time for Scotty to arrive and Josephine kept looking
anxiously down the trail.
“I sent Buck Miller with Tex to act as escort to them, and Tex is to
ride back and let me know about what time they will get here so I can
have a warm dinner ready for them,” she announced.
Mason suddenly remembered a pair of field glasses that he had brought
with him from New York. Going to his room he brought them down and
handed them to Josephine with the remark:
“See if you can make out any object with these glasses.”
She took the field glasses and carefully adjusted them to her vision,
“Thank you, these are just the thing,” she said, delighted with the
view she obtained with them. “I can make out a rider heading this way
and I think it is Tex. Yes, it is Tex, I can tell by the way he rides;
I’m going in and hustle Pomp up with the dinner.”
She handed the field glasses to Ethel and disappeared in the house.
Tex soon afterward rode up and reported that Scotty would arrive in
about an hour. Ethel carried the news to Josephine while Mason went to
the corral with Tex to look at a vicious horse the latter was
breaking. The time passed rapidly and when Mason started for the house
to join the girls, Scotty was driving in with his passengers.
Half an hour later it was a jolly party that sat down at the dinner
table to do justice to Pomp’s masterful cooking. After the meal the
party sat on the porch until dusk, while Josephine entertained her
guests with the thrilling story of her capture and escape from the
bandits.
As it had been a hard day for all, the party was preparing to break up
for the night, when Josephine’s sharp ears caught the sound of horses’
hoofbeats coming toward the house.
“Wonder who it can be,” she queried, trying to peer into the gloom.
“All our cowboys are in the bunk-house by this time.”
A moment later a figure appeared from out of the night and rode slowly
toward them.
“Why, it’s Waneda the Spanish girl,” Mason cried in astonishment.
“What brings you here at this time of night?” Josephine asked of her
distrustfully.
Waneda timidly placed a note in her hand.
“I was sent here and the note is for Mr. Mason,” she answered simply,
in her rich mellow voice.
“What! another decoy note?” Josephine queried suspiciously, handing
the note to Mason.
He took the note inside to the light, and after reading its contents
his face showed perplexity.
“It is signed by MacNutt and he wants me to use my influence to have
you agree to let Waneda stay here at the ranch. He says it is
important that the girl should stay here for a few weeks, and he will
vouch for her honesty. I think myself, it will be all right, but you
can use your own judgment,” Mason explained, addressing Josephine.
“It is all very queer, but I want to do what is right,” she answered,
smiling a little anxiously at Mason. “Certainly, Waneda can stay here,
and we will hear her story in the morning.”