“And you start to-morrow?” asked Mary, her voice faltering.
“Yes, I arrived in Denver a couple of days ago from Texas, where I had some business to attend to, for I am not altogether what you believe me, Miss Hale.”
“What! Do you wear disguises, too, Captain Dash?”
“Only when necessary to track villainy to the fountain seat; but I mean, I am the owner of a large cattle ranch, and not a poor man, as being in command of a band of herders would lead you to believe. I have a score to settle with Kent King. To find him, I joined the Revolver Riders, who made me their captain, and they are all now under my pay until I accomplish the task I have set out to perform.”
“And God grant you may do it, Captain Dash.”
“My name is Dudley Dashwood, Miss Hale; my men called me Captain Dash,” said the handsome young Texan, with a smile.
Then he resumed:
“When we parted on the trail, long months ago, I asked that I might visit you here, and you said yes.”
“And I assure you I am glad you have come.”
“Thank you; but I was so bold then as to say that I loved you, although we had met but that once; yet, in all the time that has gone by since then, I have grown each day to love you more, until you are now necessary to my happiness, and I have come to ask you to be my wife.”