He persisted and grew with the old rancher's frank praise.
"I must not think of him," she whispered.

"Why, I'll be--be married soon....

Married!" That word transformed her thought, and where she had thrilled she now felt cold.

She revolved the fact in mind.
"It's true, I'll be married, because I ought--I must," she said, half aloud.

"Because I can't help myself.