"My folks live in Colorado Springs," she explained in answer to his questions. "My mother is not very well, and father is East, so I had to come. Uncle Dan was pretty bad when I got here, only not like he is now. This fit came on after the doctor went away at nine." "I'm glad your father was East," declared the raider, who was unable to hold to a serious view of the matter, now that he was in the midst of a charming and intimate conversation. "Just think--if he had 'a' come, I'd never have seen _you_!" She faced him in surprise and disapproval of his boldness. "You're pretty swift, aren't you?" she said, cuttingly. "A feller's got to be in this country," he replied, jauntily. She was prepared to be angry with him, but his candid, humorous, admiring gaze disarmed her. "You've been very nice," she said, "and I feel very grateful; but I guess you better not say any more such things to me--to-night." "You mustn't forget I chased off them redskins." "You said they were cowboys." "Of course I did; I wanted to calm your mind." She was a little puzzled by his bluffing. "I don't believe there are any Indians over here." "Well, if they were cowboys, they were a fierce lot." She considered. "I've told you I feel grateful. What more can I do?" "A good deal; but, as you say, that can go over till to-morrow. Did I tell you that I had a bunch of cattle of my own?" "I don't remember of it." "Well, I have. I'm not one of these crazy cowboys who blows in all his wad on faro and drink--not on your life! I've got some ready chink stacked away in a Claywall bank. Want to see my bank-book?" She answered, curtly: "Please take that kettle of slop out and empty it. And what time did you say the express was due?" Roy was absorbed, ecstatic. He virtually forgot all the rest of the world. His herders could ride to the north pole, his pony might starve, the Cannonball Express go over the cliff, the postmaster die, so long as he was left in service to this princess. "Lord A'mighty! wasn't I in luck?" he repeated to himself. "Suppose I'd 'a' roped _her_ instead of the old man!" When he returned from listening for the train he found her washing her hands at the end of her task, and the room in such order as it had never known before. The sight of her standing there, flushed and very womanly, rolling down her sleeves, was more than the young fellow could silently observe. "I hope the old man'll be a long time getting well," he said, abruptly. "That's a nice thing to say! What do you mean by such a cruel wish?" "I see my finish when you go away. No more lonely ranch-life for me." "If you start in on that talk again I will not speak to you," she declared, and she meant it. "All right, I'll shut up; but I want to tell you I'm a trailer for keeps, and you can't lose me, no matter where you go. From this time on I forget everything in the world but you."