And Tresler, too, was busy with his thoughts. Joe's suggestion had
brought him face to face with hard fact, and, moreover, in a measure,
he had pledged himself. Now he realized, after having listened to the
little man's story, how much he had fallen in love with Diane. Joe, he
knew, loved her as a father might love his child, or a gardener his
flowers; but his was the old, old story that brought him a delight
such as he felt no one else had ever experienced. Yes, he knew now he
loved Diane with all the strength of his powerful nature; and he knew,
too, that there could be little doubt but that he had fallen a victim
to the beautiful dark, sad face he had seen peering up at him from
beneath the straw sun-hat, at the moment of their first meeting. Would
he marry Diane? Ay--a thousand times ay--if she would have him. But
there it was that he had more doubts than Joe. Would she marry him? he
asked himself, and a chill damped the ardor of his thoughts.

And so, as they rode on, he argued out the old arguments of the lover;
so he wrestled with all the old doubts and fears. So he became
absorbed in an ardent train of thought which shut out all the serious
issues which he felt, that, for his very love's sake, he should have
probed deeply. So he rode on impervious to the keen, studious,
sidelong glances wise old, drunken old Joe favored him with;
impervious to all, save the flame of love this wild old ranchman had
fanned from a smouldering ember to a living fire; impervious to time
and distance, until the man at his side, now thoroughly sobered,
called his attention to their arrival at the ranch.

"Say, boy," he observed, "that's the barn yonder. 'Fore we git ther'
ther's jest one thing more. Jake's goin' to play his hand by force.
Savee? Mebbe we've a notion o' that force--Miss Dianny an' me----"

"Yes, and we must think this thing thoroughly out, Joe. Developments
must be our cue. We can do nothing but wait and be ready. There's the
sheriff----"

"Eh? Sheriff?" Joe swung round, and was peering up into Tresler's
face.

"Ah, I forgot." Tresler's expression was very thoughtful. They had
arrived at the barn, and were dismounting. "I was following out my own
train of thought. I agree with you, Joe, Red Mask and his doings are
at the bottom of this business." His voice had dropped now to a low
whisper lest any one should chance to be around.

Without a word Joe led his horse into the barn, and, off-saddling him,
fixed him up