a vague way, she felt that she must see him and talk with him before he
should come in contact with her father and mother. She wanted to
explain matters, hoping that he would understand that she, at least,
was one of the interlopers who were not hostile to him.

For she did, indeed, feel like an interloper now. But, at the same
time, she realized, despite her small knowledge of the law, that, until
the expiration of the redemption period, the equity of Don Mike in the
property was unassailable. With that unpleasant sense of having
intruded came the realization that to-night the Parker family would
occupy the position of uninvited and unwelcome guests. It was not a
comfortable thought.

Fortunately, the potato baron and her father were up in the smoker;
hence, by the time the train paused at El Toro, Kay had composed
herself sufficiently to face her father again without betraying to him
any hint of the mental disturbance of the past forty minutes. She
directed the porter in the disposition of Don Mike's scant impedimenta,
and watched to see that the Parker chauffeur carried it from the
station platform over to the waiting automobile. As he was lashing
their hand-baggage on the running-board, she said,

"William, how long will it take you to get out to the ranch?"

"Twenty miles, miss, over a narrow dirt road, and some of it winds
among hills. I ought to do it handily in an hour without taking any
chances."

"Take a few chances," she ordered, in a voice meant for his ear alone.
"I'm in a hurry."