Just offer him to ME!" Dale stood there expectantly, holding a blanket in his hand, ready to saddle the horse.

Carmichael walked around Ranger with that appraising eye so keen in cowboys.
"Las Vegas, do you know anything about horses ?" asked Bo.
"Me! Wal, if you ever buy or trade a hoss you shore have me there," replied Carmichael.
"What do you think of Ranger ?" went on Bo.
"Shore I'd buy him sudden, if I could." "Mr.Las Vegas, you're too late," asserted Helen, as she advanced to lay a hand on the horse.
"Ranger is mine." Dale smoothed out the blanket and, folding it, he threw it over the horse; and then with one powerful swing he set the saddle in place.
"Thank you very much for him," said Helen, softly.
"You're welcome, an' I'm sure glad," responded Dale, and then, after a few deft, strong pulls at the straps, he continued.

"There, he's ready for you." With that he laid an arm over the saddle, and faced Helen as she stood patting and smoothing Ranger.

Helen, strong and calm now, in feminine possession of her secret and his, as well as her composure, looked frankly and steadily at Dale.

He seemed composed, too, yet the bronze of his fine face was a trifle pale.
"But I can't thank you--I'll never be able to repay you--for your service to me and my sister," said Helen.
"I reckon you needn't try," Dale returned.