A moment later, Kitty, riding her favorite Midnight, rounded a jutting corner of the rocky wall of the bluff.
As the girl caught sight of him, there beside the spring, she waved her hand in greeting.

And the man, as he waved his answer, and watched her riding toward him, felt a thrill of gladness that she had come.

The strong, true friendship that began with their very first meeting, when she had been so frankly interested in the tenderfoot, and so kindly helpful, and which had developed so steadily through the year, gave him, now, a feeling of comfort and relief.

Wearied and worn by his disappointment and by his struggle with himself, with the cherished hope that had enabled him to choose and endure the hard life of the range brought to a sudden end, with his life itself made so empty and futile, he welcomed his woman friend with a warmth and gladness that brought a flush of pleasure to Kitty's cheek.
For Kitty, too, had just passed through a humiliating and disappointing experience.

In her troubled frame of mind, and in her perplexed and confused questioning, the young woman was as glad for the companionship of Patches as he was glad to welcome her.