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."
"Forty-five minutes, miss," he answered, in the same confidential tone.
Kay sat in the front seat with William, while her father and Okada
occupied the tonneau. Within a few minutes, they were clear of the
town and rolling swiftly across a three-mile-wide mesa. Then they
entered a long, narrow canon, which they traversed for several miles,
climbed a six-per-cent. grade to the crest of a ridge, rolled down into
another canon, climbed another ridge, and from the summit gazed down on
the San Gregorio in all the glory of her new April gown. Kay gasped
with the shock of such loveliness, and laid a detaining hand on the
chauffeur's arm. Instantly he stopped the car.
"I always get a kick out of the view from here, miss," he informed her.
"Can you beat it? You can't!"
The girl sat with parted lips.
"This--this is the California he loves," she thought.
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