Jane saw him examining the ground, evidently searching for horse tracks. “Ha! here we are.” And he led off in another direction through the cedars. Soon Jane espied her horse, calmly nibbling at the bleached grass. In a few moments she was back in her own saddle, beginning to recover somewhat from her distress. But she divined that as fast as she recovered from one set of emotions she was going to be tormented by another. “There’s a good cold spring down here in the rocks,” remarked Springer. “I think you need a drink, an’ so do I.”
They rode down the sunny cedar slopes, into a shady ravine, and up to some mossy cliffs from which a spring gushed.
Jane was now in the throes of thrilling, bewildering conjectures and fears. Why had Springer followed her? Why had he not sent one of the cowboys? Why did she feel so afraid and foolish? He had always been courteous and kind and thoughtful, at least until she had offended so egregiously. And here he was now. He had fought for her. Would she ever forget? Her heart began to pound. And when he dismounted to take her off her horse she knew it was to see a scarlet and tell-tale face, “Mr. Springer, I—I thought you were Tex—or somebody,” she said.
He laughed as he took off his sombrero. His face was warm, and the cuts were still bleeeding a little. “You sure can ride,” he replied. “And that’s a good little pony.”
He loosened the cinches on the horses. “Won’t you walk around a little? It’ll rest you. We are fifteen miles from home.”
“So far?” Then presently he lifted her up and stood beside her with a hand on her horse. He looked up frankly into her face. The keen eyes were softer than usual. He seemed so fine and strong and splendid. She was afraid of her eyes and looked away. “When the boys found you were gone they all saddled up to find you,” he said. “But I asked them if they didn’t think the boss ought to have one chance. So they let me come.”
Something terrible happened to Jane’s heart just then. She was overwhelmed by a strange happiness that she must hide, but could not. It seemed there was a long silence. She felt Springer there, but she could not look at him. “Do you like it out here in the west?” he asked, presently.
“Oh, I love it! I’ll never want to leave it,” she replied, impulsively.
“I reckon I’m glad to hear that.” Then there fell another silence. He pressed closer to her and seemed now to be leaning on the horse. She wondered if he heard the weird knocking of her heart against her side.
“Will you be my wife an’ stay here always?” he asked, simply. “I’m in love with you. I’ve been lonely since my mother died.... You’ll sure have to marry some one of us. Because, as Tex says, if you don’t, ranchin’ can’t go on much longer. These boys don’t seem to get anywhere with you. Have I any chance—Jane—?”