Midnight
As Phil shyly at first , then more freely , opened the doors of his inner self and talked to her as he had talked to Patches of the books he had read ; of his observations and thoughts of nature , and of the great world movements and activities that by magazines and books and papers were brought to his hand , she learned to her surprise that even as he lived amid the scenes that called for the highest type of physical strength and courage , he lived an intellectual life that was as marked for its strength and manly vigor . But while they came thus daily into more intimate and closer companionship they spoke to no one of their love . Kitty , knowing how her father would look upon her engagement to the cowboy , put off the announcement from time to time , not wishing their happy companionship to be marred during those days of Phil 's recovery . When he was strong enough to ride again , Kitty would come with Midnight , and together they would roam about the ranch and the country near by . So it happened that Sunday afternoon . Mr. and Mrs. Reid , with the three boys , were making a neighborly call on the Baldwins , and Phil and Kitty were riding in the vicinity of the spot where Kitty had first met Patches . They were seated in the shade of a cedar on the ridge not far from the drift fence gate , when Phil saw three horsemen approaching from the further side of the fence .