the tongue of rumor, to see her quite casually, of course, and do
his own appraising. It began to look as if he were going to have
to ride off without a glimpse of her.

He nodded toward the house, turning a shade more purple than his
native choleric hue. "Y'u want to bring your boss with y'u, Mac.
We been hearing a right smart lot about her and the boys would
admire to have her present. It's going to be strictly according
to Hoyle--no rough-house plays go, y'understand."

"I'll speak to her about it." Mac's deep amusement did not reach
the surface. He was quite well aware that Slim was playing for
time and that he was too bashful to plump out the desire that was
in him. "Great the way cows are jumpin', ain't it?"

"Sure. Well, I'll be movin' along to Slauson's. I just drapped in
on my way. Thought mebbe y'u hadn't heard tell of the dance."

"Much obliged. Was it for old man Slauson y'u dug up all them
togs, Slim? He'll ce'tainly admire to see y'u in that silk
tablecloth y'u got round your neck."

Slim's purple deepened again. "Y'u go to grass, Mac. I don't aim
to ask y'u to be my valley yet awhile."

"C'rect. I was just wondering do all the Triangle Bar boys ride
the range so handsome?"

"Don't y'u worry about the Triangle Bar boys," advised the
embarrassed Slim, gathering up his bridle reins.