Suddenly she stopped, for, having reached a turn in the road, she saw ahead of her a young man on horseback. He had drawn to one side and was evidently waiting for the singer to appear. Jenny flushed, for she knew that he must have heard, as she had been trying some high soprano arias of her own composing. The young man had a frank, kind face with no suspicion of a smile, and so the girl decided that he was merely waiting for someone whom he expected, but, as she drew near, he lifted his cap and asked: "Pardon me, but can you tell me if I am on the Live Oak Road? You have so many canyon roads about here leading into the foothills. I am looking for the Granger Place Seminary, where my sister Lenora Gale is staying."
Jenny impulsively put her hand to her heart. "Oh!" she gasped. "Are you going to take Lenora away? Please don't!"
Charles Gale, cap in his hand, gazed inquiringly at the girl, who hurried on to explain: "You see, Lenora and I are best friends and she is so unhappy up at that school, where she doesn't know anyone, really, and she has been so sick, my grandmother told me I might bring her over to our house to make a visit. Granny Sue said just as I left, 'Jenny, tell your little friend she may stay with us as long as she wants to, until she is real well, anyway.'" So this was Jenny Warner.
The girl paused for breath and the young man, smiling at her, said sincerely: "I am indeed glad to learn that my sister has so true a friend, indeed, more than one, I judge, since your grandmother sent such a kind message to her, but I have come to take Lenora back with me."
Jenny's ever expressive face registered such disappointment and sorrow that the young man could not but add: "Suppose we go up to the seminary together and talk the matter over with my sister. Perhaps, if she is not strong enough to travel, it may be well for her to remain with you for a week or two. I would be glad to leave her in a pleasant place at least that long, as I shall not be through at the agricultural college for two weeks yet. Then I can accompany Lenora back to Dakota where our father so eagerly awaits her coming."
Realizing that, as he had not introduced himself he said: "I presume that my sister has mentioned her brother Charles."