Sisters

by Grace May North

  CHAPTER XIX. A WELCOME GUEST

  Three days later, when Jenny entered the farmhouse kitchen, Grandpa Si,who was washing at the small sink pump, looked up twinkling-eyed toinquire: "Wall, Jenny-gal, them examinations are over now, ain't they? Ireckon they wasn't nigh so terribul as yo'd figgered, when you got plumbup to 'em, was they now?"

  Jenny, looking very pale and weary, dropped into the big armed chairopposite her grandmother, who was shelling peas for supper.

  Then, unexpectedly, she burst into tears. Instantly the pan of peas wasplaced on the table and her grandmother had comforting arms about thegirl. "Dearie, what is ailin' yo'? Warn't yo' able to get the rightanswers for them examination questions?"

  The distressed grandfather also hovered about, saying huskily: "Now looka-here, little un, we don't keer, not a farthing's worth, whether youknowed them answers or didn't know 'em. I reckon you're smarter'n most,how-so-ever, 'twas." Jenny, who had been clinging to her grandmother,astonished them by saying between sobs: "'Tisn't the examinations I'mcrying about. It's Lenora. They let me see her for a moment thisafternoon and she is so weak and oh so unhappy. She thinks she will neverget well, not if she has to stay in that cold, dreary old seminary, andOh, Grandma Sue, how I do want her to get well. I have always longed tohave a sister, and when I found Lenora Gale, I made believe she was thesister I had so wanted. No one knows how I love her."

  The old couple were greatly distressed. All these years their "gal" hadso longed to have a sister of her very own, and all that time she had hadone, whom she didn't know. Grandma Sue smoothed the rumpled hair andkissed Jenny on the forehead. "Go to your room, dearie, and rest tillsupper time," she said soothingly. "You're all tired out with themexaminations. You'll feel better after you've had suthin' warm to eat."

  Jenny permitted her grandfather to help her out of the chair and to leadher toward her room. There she flung herself down on her bed, and theloving old man drew a cover over her. Then he tiptoed back to thekitchen. "Ma," he said, "I reckon us and Mis' Poindexter-Jones have gotsuthin' to answer for, makin' it so them two gals grew up not knowin' asthey was sisters."

  "Mabbe so," the old woman had resumed her pea-shelling. "Mabbe so, Silas,but it's too late now. That proud, haughty gal wouldn't thank no one totell her she's our Jenny's sister, and she wouldn't be no comfort to ourgal, bein' as she's been fetched up so different. But that sweet LenoraGale, her as is a farmer's daughter, she's a friend more suitin' to ourJenny." For a few moments the old woman's fingers were busy, but she wassilent and thoughtful. When the peas were ready for the pot, she pouredthem into the boiling water, then turned and said: "Silas Warner, you andme keer more to have Jenny happy than anything else, don't we?"

  "I reckon we do, Ma. What be yo' aimin' at? I kin see easy thar's suthin'yo' want to say. I'm agreeable to it, whatever 'tis."

  The old woman seemed relieved. "I was thinkin' as how it would please ourJenny if we was to let her invite her friend Lenora to visit her here aspell. Jenny could sleep on the couch in the livin' room, and let thesick gal have her bed. I think more'n half what's the matter with LenoraGale is that she's pinin' for a place that's home wi' folks in it to keerfor her. Jenny says she's allays speakin' of her ma, lonesome-like,because she's dead."

  The old man blew his nose hard, then said blinkingly: "Pore little gal! Iwas jest a thinkin' how it might o' been our Jenny that was sick up tothat school prison wi' no one as really keered."

  Jenny's joy knew no bounds when she learned that she might invite herdear friend Lenora Gale to come to her home and make her a real visit. Sosure was she that the sick girl would accept, Jenny was up the next daywith the sun. Tying a towel about her curly light brown hair and donningan all-over apron, she swept and scoured and dusted her very own roomuntil it fairly shone. Then she brought in a basket of flowers and put atumbler full of them in every place where it would stand, with a big bowlof roses on the marble-topped center table. When Grandma Sue called herto breakfast, she skipped to the kitchen and, taking the old couple eachby an arm, she led them to the door of her room, singing out: "What doyou think of that as a bower for the Princess Lenora?"

  "Wall, now," said the old man admiringly, "if our gal ain't got it fixedup handsome. I reckon your little friend'll get well in no time wi' youwaitin' on her, and so much cheeriness to look at."

  It was not until they were seated about the table eating their breakfastthat Jenny suddenly thought of the possibility that something mighthappen to prevent Lenora from coming that day. "Maybe she'll have towrite and ask her daddy or her brother and wait for an answer." For amoment this fear shadowed the shining face, but it did not last long. Assoon as the breakfast was over she sprang up and began to clear thingsaway, but her grandmother gently took a dish from her hand. "Thar now,dearie, you have no need to help. I reckon you're eager to be drivin'over to the seminary. You'd better start right off."

  Impulsively the girl kissed a wrinkled cheek of the old woman. "Oh,Granny Sue, was there ever any other person quite so understanding as youare? I'll go, if you'll promise not to do a single thing but the disheswhile I am away. Please leave the churning for me to do when I come backwith Lenora."

  "Tut! tut!" said her grandfather. "Don't get your heart set on fetchin'that Lenora gal back with you right to onct. Like as not she won't bestrong enough to ride along of Dobbin today."

  But Jenny would not allow herself to be discouraged. "Time enough forthat when I find Lenora can't come," she confided to Dobbin while she washarnessing that faithful animal. He looked around at her, not withoutcuriosity, as though he wondered why it was his little mistress was sooften elated. Impulsively, Jenny hugged him as she said: "Oh, Dob, youold dear, you have no idea how happy I am, nor who it is you are going tobring back to Rocky Point Farm. Have you, now?" She peered around hisblinder, but seeing only a rather sleepily blinking eye, she climbed uponthe high seat of the wagon, backed from the barn and, turning to wavetoward the house, she drove out of the lane singing at the top of hersweet voice.

  No vehicle was in sight as she carefully crossed the wide Coast Highway.Her granddad had told her always to come to a full stop before drivingacross, as there were often processions of high-powered cars passingtheir lane. It was, however, too early for pleasure-seekers to be abroadand so Dobbin started climbing the canyon road leading to the seminary,and even there they met no one. Jenny's heart was so brimming over withjoy that she could not be quiet. When she was not confiding her hopes toDobbin, she was singing.

  Suddenly she stopped, for, having reached a turn in the road, she sawahead of her a young man on horseback. He had drawn to one side and wasevidently waiting for the singer to appear. Jenny flushed, for she knewthat he must have heard, as she had been trying some high soprano ariasof her own composing. The young man had a frank, kind face with nosuspicion of a smile, and so the girl decided that he was merely waitingfor someone whom he expected, but, as she drew near, he lifted his capand 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 amlooking for the Granger Place Seminary, where my sister Lenora Gale isstaying."

  Jenny impulsively put her hand to her heart. "Oh!" she gasped. "Are yougoing to take Lenora away? Please don't!"

  Charles Gale, cap in his hand, gazed inquiringly at the girl, who hurriedon to explain: "You see, Lenora and I are best friends and she is sounhappy up at that school, where she doesn't know anyone, really, and shehas been so sick, my grandmother told me I might bring her over to ourhouse to make a visit. Granny Sue said just as I left, 'Jenny, tell yourlittle friend she may stay with us as long as she wants to, until she isreal well, anyway.'" So this was Jenny Warner.

  The girl paused for breath and the young man, smiling at her, saidsincerely: "I am indeed glad to learn that my sister has so true afriend, indeed, more than one, I judge, since your grandmother sent sucha kind message to her, but I have come to take Lenora back with me.
"

  Jenny's ever expressive face registered such disappointment and sorrowthat the young man could not but add: "Suppose we go up to the seminarytogether and talk the matter over with my sister. Perhaps, if she is notstrong enough to travel, it may be well for her to remain with you for aweek or two. I would be glad to leave her in a pleasant place at leastthat long, as I shall not be through at the agricultural college for twoweeks yet. Then I can accompany Lenora back to Dakota where our father soeagerly awaits her coming."

  Realizing that, as he had not introduced himself he said: "I presume thatmy sister has mentioned her brother Charles."

  "Oh, yes, I knew you at once." Jenny's clear brown eyes gazed out at himwith friendly interest. "You look like Lenora, though I can't say justhow." Then, as she again started Dobbin up the hill road, she beamed ather companion as she said: "This is going to be a happy day for yoursister. How surprised she will be, and how glad! And I'm glad that I metyou, for Miss Granger might have said that Lenora could not visit me, butif you say that she can, no one else will have any authority." Thenimpulsively: "I'm going to be your friend forever and ever." Then withone of her sudden changes, Jenny flashed a bright look at him, as shepointed ahead: "There, did you ever see a view like that before?" Theyhad reached the top of the hill road and were near the seminary gate.

  The view across the valley to the towering mountains was indeedmagnificent. Then Jenny looked back of her and again pointed, this timetoward the sea. "That is Rocky Point, just below the canyon road," shesaid, "and that old adobe is our farmhouse."

  Charles was much impressed with the beauty of it all, and, as his gazewandered back to the glowing face of the girl, he heard rather thanthought, "You'll just love Jenny Warner."

  Aloud he asked: "And is this the seminary?" His companion nodded and ledthe way between the high stone gate posts.

  "Maybe I'd better wait outside while you go in and see Miss Granger,"Jenny suggested when they drew rein at the front of the seminary.

  But Charles Gale would not agree to that. Having dismounted, he fastenedthe reins about a hitching post and asked if his companion could safelyleave her horse.

  "Oh, yes, indeed," Jenny replied brightly. "Dobbin wouldn't move until Icame again, if it was never."

  Together they went up the wide stone steps and Charles lifted the ironknocker. A maid admitted them, staring in amazement when she saw thegirl, who delivered eggs and honey at the kitchen door, arriving at thefront with a fine-looking young man in a golfing costume.

  Charles, not knowing of this, could not understand the surprisedexpression directed at his companion. Jenny smiled and said "goodmorning" in her usual pleasant way. Having asked to see Miss Granger, hepresented his card.

  "Walk in," the maid said. "I'll tell Miss Granger that you're here, sir."

  When they were alone in the prim little reception room, Jenny confided:

  "Maggie has never seen me coming to the front door. My grandfather raiseschickens and bees, and I often deliver honey and eggs around at the backdoor. Perhaps Miss Granger may think it queer if----"

  "Of course it isn't queer!" Charles interrupted with emphasis. "Mysister's best friend has the right to enter the front door of----" He didnot complete his sentence, but rose instead, for a stately, ratherhaughty appearing woman had appeared. The visitor was warmly received.

  "Mr. Gale, I am indeed pleased that you have come. Poor little Lenora hasnot been at all well of late, and that is why I sent for you. She hasbeen at perfect liberty to do as she wished, as you requested, but shecontracts frequent colds, and this last one has lingered."

  Miss Granger hesitated, then confessed. "The truth is, your sister doesnot seem to be real happy here. She is timid and does not care to minglewith her schoolmates."

  Then she added frankly: "I find that, on the whole, the young ladies arerather heartless. They do not make an effort to include in theirpleasures one who is naturally reserved and who, in turn, seems to carenothing at all about being included."

  Miss Granger, on entering the room, had bowed somewhat distantly to JennyWarner, whom she did not recognize, as she had seldom seen her. Charles,noting this, asked: "Miss Granger, are you acquainted with little MissWarner, whose grandfather is a farmer in this neighborhood?"

  The woman, whose manner was rather frigid at all times, lifted hereyebrows ever so slightly as though marveling that a young man whosesister attended her select seminary should be found in the companionshipof a hired farmer's granddaughter.

  Their own father, Mr. Gale, might own a farm, but that was verydifferent, as he had countless acres of wheat lands, she understood, andwas very rich, while the Warners were merely hired to conduct a smallfarm belonging to the Poindexter-Jones estate. All this went quicklythrough the woman's thoughts and she was astonished to hear the young mansaying:

  "I have decided, Miss Granger, to remove my sister to the farm home ofMiss Warner for the two weeks remaining before I complete my studies atthe Berkeley Agricultural College. My sister is very fond of Miss Jenny,and I feel that the companionship she will have in that home will do muchto help her recover the strength she will need for the long journey toDakota."

  Miss Granger prided herself on being able to hide all emotions, and onnever expressing surprise, but she could not resist saying:

  "I was unaware of this friendship, which is the result, no doubt, of thefreedom of action which you wished your sister to have, but if it is afriendship sanctioned by Lenora's brother, I, of course, can say nothingconcerning it."

  Rising, she held out her hand: "I will have Miss Gale's trunk packed atonce, and shall I have it sent to the Poindexter-Jones farm?"

  "Yes, if you please, and thank you, Miss Granger, for your manykindnesses to my sister."

  With a cold nod toward the girl and with a formal reply to Charles'polite speech, she swept from the room. The lad turned with an amusedsmile toward his companion. In a low voice he said:

  "I understand now why Sister never wrote me that I would be sure to loveMiss Granger."

  Charles was shocked indeed at the appearance of the sister who was dearerto him than life itself. Pale and so wearily she came into the roomleaning on the school nurse. Throwing her arms about her brother's neckshe clung to him. "I've been so lonely for mother lately," she sobbed. "Idream of her often just as though she were alive and well. Then I am sohappy, but I waken and realize that mother is never coming back."

  The young man, much moved, pressed his cheek close to the tear-wet one ofthe girl. "I know, darling, I know." Then, striving to keep a break outof his voice, he said cheerily: "See who is here, Sister. Someone of whomyou have often written me. And she has a wonderful plan to suggest."

  Lenora smiled wanly and held out a frail white hand. "I love JennyWarner," she said as though informing her brother of something he alreadyknew. Then she asked, looking from one to the other: "Where am I going?Home to father?"

  "Not quite yet, dear girl," her brother replied. "Jenny's grandmother hasinvited you to visit them for two weeks, or rather, until I am throughwith my studies, then, if you are strong enough, I will take you home toDad."

  Before Lenora could express her pleasure, the ever watchful nurse steppedforward, saying: "Miss Gale ought not to be kept standing. Miss Grangerhas ordered the closed carriage and bade me accompany my patient to herdestination."

  "That's fine." Charles found it hard to keep a note of anxiety out of hisvoice when Lenora sank into a near chair and began to cough. He followedthe nurse from the room when she went to get her wraps. "Please tell memy sister's condition," he said in a low, troubled voice. "Her lungs arenot affected, are they?"

  "No, I am glad to say they are not. The trouble seems to be in herthroat." Then, after a thoughtful moment, the nurse added, glancing aboutto be sure that no one was near: "I would not wish to be quoted, but Ibelieve Miss Gale's recovery depends upon her being in an environmentwhich she will enjoy. Here she is very lonely and broods continually forthe mother who is gone."

 
"Thank you for having told me." Charles was indeed grateful to the nurse,whose name he did not know. "I shall see that such an environment isfound for my dear sister if it exists anywhere. Our mother has been deadfor several years, but, as time goes on, we miss her more and more."

  "I understand," the nurse said as though she, too, had had a similarloss, then she glided quietly away.

  On returning to the reception room, Jenny suggested that she would bettergo at once to the farmhouse that she might be there to welcome Lenora andthe nurse. Charles agreed that the plan was a good one, and so, tenderlykissing her friend, Jenny went out; the young man opening the door forher.

  When she had driven away, Charles returned to his sister, who smiled upat him faintly as she said: "Wasn't I right, Charles? Isn't Jenny thesweetest, dearest girl you ever saw?"

  But her brother shook his head. "No, indeed," he said, emphatically,taking one of the listless hands from the arm of the chair. "Thesweetest, dearest girl in this world to me is your very own self, and,although I am quite willing to like any girl whom you may select as abest friend, you will never get me to acknowledge that she is sweeterthan my very own sister. However, I will agree that I am pleased withMiss Jenny Warner to the extent of being willing, even glad, to have youin the same house with her until you are strong enough to travel to ourhome with me. I'll wire Dad tonight. I have purposely kept your illnessfrom him. It would be unwise for him to come here at this time of theyear. We cannot both be away from the farm at seeding time."

  The nurse reappeared, saying the coach was waiting. The young giant of alad lifted his sister and carried her out of the seminary which she wasindeed glad to leave.

  Jenny and her grandmother were on the side porch of the picturesque adobefarmhouse when Charles Gale on horseback rode up, immediately followed bythe closed carriage. Susan Warner with tender pity in her face and voice,welcomed the pale girl, who was lifted out of the conveyance by thestrong arms of her brother. Lenora's sweet gray eyes were brimmed withtears and her lips trembled when she tried to thank the old woman for hergreat kindness. "There, there, dearie. Don't try to be sayin' anythingnow. You're all petered out with the ride." Then cheerily: "Jenny'll showyou where to fetch little Lenora, Mister--" she hesitated and the girl ather side hastened to say: "Grandma Sue, this is Charles Gale, Lenora'sbrother. Miss Granger had sent for him."

  The pleasant-faced young man bowed as he apologized for his inability toremove his hat. His sister having recovered from her first desire to cry,smilingly did it for him. "Haven't I a giant for a brother?" she asked;then holding out a frail hand to the nurse, who had descended from thecarriage carrying the wraps and a satchel. Lenora said: "Mrs. Warner,this is Miss Adelaide Wells, who has been very kind to me." Then, asmemory of the place she had left surged over her, the tears again came:"Oh, brother," she half sobbed, clinging to him, "promise me I'll never,never have to be sent to a seminary again."

  "Why, of course not," he assured her. "When I have finished my schoolingyou and I will go back to our farm home and stay there forever andforever. If you need any further instruction, I can help you, so put thatfear quite out of your thought."

  The girl smiled, but seemed too weak to make a reply. Charles followedJenny through the kitchen and the cheerful living room into the bedroomwhich had been decked in so festive a fashion only that morning. Afterthe nurse had put Lenora to bed, she returned to the seminary. The wearygirl rested for a while with her eyes closed, then she opened them andlooked about her.

  She found Jenny sitting quietly by her bedside just waiting. Lenorasmiled without speaking and seemed to be listening to the rush of thewaves on the rocks, then she said: "That is the lullabye I once said Iwould like to hear in the night. It's like magic, having it all come topass."

  She smiled around at the flowers. "How sweet they are! I know that eachone tells me some message of the thoughtfulness and love of my friend."Holding out a frail hand, Lenora continued: "Jenny Warner, if I live, Iam going to do something to make you glad that you have been so kind tome."

  A pang, like a pain, shot through the listener's heart. "If I live." Shehad not for one moment thought that her dear, dear friend might die. Shewas relieved to hear the other girl add in a brighter manner, as thoughshe felt stronger after her brief rest: "I believe now that I shall live,but truly, Jenny, I didn't care much when I lay all day up there in thatcold, dreary seminary with no one near to mind whether I stayed or went.But now that I am here with you in this lovely, cheerful room, somehow Ifeel sure that I shall live." Before her companion could reply, sheasked: "Where is brother Charles?"

  Jenny glanced out of the window. "Oh, there he is, standing on that highrock on the point, the one that canopies over our seat, you know, wherewe sat the last time you were at the farm. Shall I call him, dear?"

  Lenora nodded and so Jenny, bareheaded, ran out toward the point ofrocks. Charles, turning, saw her and went to meet her. "Has my sisterrested?" he asked. Jenny said that she had, then anxiously she inquired:"Mr. Gale, what does the nurse think? Lenora is not seriously ill, isshe?"

  There was a sudden shadowing of the eyes that looked down at her. "Idon't know, Miss Jenny. I sincerely hope not. At my request Miss Wellswill send me a daily report of my sister's condition. The nurse takes awalk every afternoon, and, if your grandmother is willing, she will stophere until our little Lenora is much better."

  "I think that a splendid plan. It will be better than having a doctorcall every day." Then brightening: "Oh, Mr. Gale, I am sure Lenora willget well. She is better, come and see for yourself." And so together theywent indoors.