e, a finding of real worth, real good, real power
in himself? He did not understand wholly, yet he felt ready to ride,
to fight, to love the desert, to love these outdoor men, to love a
woman. That beautiful Spanish girl had spoken to something dead in him
and it had quickened to life. The sweet voice of an audacious, unseen
girl warned him that presently a still more wonderful thing would
happen to him.

Gale imagined he made noise enough as he clumsily pulled on his boots,
yet the voices, split by a merry laugh, kept on murmuring outside the
door. It was awkward for him, having only one hand available to lace
up his boots. He looked out of the window. Evidently this was at the
end of the house. There was a flagstone walk, beside which ran a ditch
full of swift, muddy water. It made a pleasant sound. There were
trees strange of form and color to to him. He heard bees, birds,
chickens, saw the red of roses and green of grass. Then he saw, close
to the wall, a tub full of water, and a bench upon which lay basin,
soap, towel, comb, and brush. The window was also a door, for under it
there was a step.

Gale hesitated a moment, then went out. He stepped naturally, hoping
and expecting that the cowboys would hear him. But nobody came.
Awkwardly, with left hand, he washed his face. Upon a nail in the wall
hung a little mirror, by the aid of which Dick combed and brushed his
hair. He imagined he looked a most haggard wretch. With that he faced
forward, meaning to go round the corner of the house to greet the
cowboys and these new-found friends.

Dick had taken but one step when he was halted by laugher and the
patter of light feet.

From close around the corner pealed out that sweet voice. "Dad, you'll
have your wish, and mama will be wild!"

Dick saw a little foot sweep into view, a white dress, then the swiftly
moving form of a girl. She was looking backward.

"Dad, I shall fall in love with your new ranger. I will--I have--"

Then she plumped squarely into Dick's arms.

She started back violently.

Dick saw a fair face and dark-blue, audaciously flashing eyes. Swift as
lightning their expression changed to surprise, fear, wonder. For an
instant they were level with Dick's grave questioning. Suddenly,
sweetly, she blushed.

"Oh-h!" she faltered.

Then the blush turned to a scarlet fire. She whirled past him, and
like a white gleam was gone.

Dick became conscious of the quickened beating