As she came toward him he observed that her cheeks were a trifle flushed, her eyes a little brighter than usual, but for all that she was at ease and natural.
She stopped in front of him and smiled.
"Do you mind going over to the Diamond K with me this morning ?" she asked.
"What for ?" he said gruffly, reddening as he thought she might see the admiration which was slumbering in his eyes.
"To buy some cattle," she returned.

"Kelton, of the Diamond K, hasn't been fortunate this season.

Little Darby has been dry nearly all of the time and there has been little good grass on his range.

In the first place, he had too much stock, even if conditions were right.

I have heard that Kelton offered to pay the Taggarts for the use of part of their grass, but they have never been friends and the Taggarts wanted to charge him an outrageous price for the privilege.