"Everything, I hope," he said. "I intend marrying her."
The ranchman's face gave no sign at the confession.
"You have asked her, have you?"
"No. Your coming prevented. I should otherwise have done so to-day."
The long fingers on the chair-arms tightened until they grew white.
"You knew why I came to town, did you not?"
"I had an intuition," he admitted reluctantly.
Again silence fell, and the subdued roar of the city came to their ears.
"You have not called at the Baker home to-day," continued Blair. "Was it consideration for me that kept you away?" The thin, weather-browned face grew, if possible, more clean-cut. "Remember to talk straight."