Or perhaps in Lawler's face he observed signs which told him that before him stood a man of uncommon character.
At any rate, Warden was conscious of a subtle pulse of antagonism; a quick dislike--and jealousy.
Warden could not have told what had aroused the latter emotion, though he was subconsciously aware that it had come when he had noted the rugged, manly strength of Lawler's face; that the man was attractive, and that he admired him despite his dislike.
That knowledge aroused a dull rage in him.

His cheeks flushed, his eyes glowed with it.
But Warden's smile contradicted his thoughts.

He managed that so cleverly that many men, watching him, might have been deceived.
In Lawler's keen eyes, however, glowed understanding--a knowledge of Warden's character that vindicated the things he had heard about the man--the tentative suggestions that Warden was not a worthy successor to Lefingwell.
That knowledge, though, would not have bothered him, had he not seen in Warden's eyes something that seemed to offer him a personal affront.

As quickly as Warden had veiled his eyes from Lawler, the latter had seen the dislike in them, the antagonism, and the rage that had stained his cheeks.
He had come to Warden's office with an open mind; now he looked at the man with a saturnine smile in which there was amused contempt.

Assuredly the new buyer did not "measure up" to Jim Lefingwell's "size," as Blackburn had suggested.
Therefore, aware that he could not meet this man on the basis of friendliness that had distinguished all his relations with Jim Lefingwell, Lawler's voice was crisp and businesslike: "You're Gary Warden ?" At the latter's short, affirmative nod, Lawler continued: "I'm Kane Lawler, of the Circle L.I've come to make arrangements with you about buying my cattle.