Why most anything could happen to people who are in love.
"Supper is ready," he heard her announce from within.
Ferguson preceded the young man at the tin wash basin, taking a fresh towel that the young woman offered him from the doorway.

Then he followed the young man inside.

The three took places at the table, and Ferguson was helped to a frugal, though wholesome meal.
The dusk had begun to fall while they were yet at the table, and the young woman arose, lighting a kerosene lamp and placing it on the table.

By the time they had finished semi-darkness had settled.
Ferguson followed the young man out to the chairs on the porch for a smoke.
They were scarcely seated when there was a clatter of hoofs, and a pony and rider came out of the shadow of the nearby cottonwood, approaching the cabin and halting beside the porch.

The newcomer was a man of about thirty-five.