Barbara's father, indeed! How stupid of him not to guess.

On the heels of his first surprise came another thought; suppose that old Paladin should consider that he, Gray, had shown weakness in allowing another to assume the burden of his quarrel?
And suppose he should tell his daughter about it! That would be a situation, indeed.
"I must find him, quickly," Gray declared.

"Perhaps he'll ride back to town with us." It was not a difficult task to locate the veteran officer, and Tom was delighted at the chance to ride home with his new acquaintance.
That journey back to civilization was doubly pleasant, for Mr.Parker cherished no such feelings as Gray had feared, and, moreover, he responded quickly to the younger man's efforts to engage his liking.
They got along famously from the start, and Tom positively blossomed under the attentions he received.

It had been a trying day for him, but his ill humor quickly disappeared in the warmth of a new-found friendship, and he talked more than was his custom.

He was even led to speak of old days, old combats, of which the bloodless encounter that evening was but a tame reminder.