"But you can ride all day an' next day an' never see a livin' soul." What was the meaning of the gratification in his voice?
Did Westerners court loneliness?
Carley wrenched her gaze from the desert void to look at her companions.

Stanton's eyes were narrowed; his expression had changed; lean and hard and still, his face resembled bronze.

The careless humor was gone, as was the heated flush of his quarrel with Flo.

The girl, too, had subtly changed, had responded to an influence that had subdued and softened her.

She was mute; her eyes held a light, comprehensive and all-embracing; she was beautiful then.