He shook his head, "That would be no reason for--for our quarreling,
would it?"

She laughed. "Why, who has quarreled? I'm sure I haven't."

"But you don't seem the same--since Will left."

"Neither do you, John. You haven't called at the rancho for--well,
about a year."

"And then I was told to stay away even longer than that."

"Oh, you mustn't mind Dad. He growls--but he won't bite."

Corliss glanced up at her. His steady gray eyes were smiling, but his
lips were grave. "Would it make any difference if I did come?"

The girl's dark face flushed and her eyes sparkled. "Lots! Perhaps
you and Dad could agree to stop growling altogether. But we won't talk
about it. I'd like to know what you are doing up here afoot?"

"Wouldn't tell you for a dollar," he replied, smiling. "My horse is
over there--near the timber. The rest of the band are at the
waterhole."

"Oh, but you will tell me!" she said. "And before we get back to the
cañon."

"I wasn't headed that way--" he began; but she interrupted quickly.