In the summer garden he found his sister reading in a hammock.
“Oh, Jack,” she cried, “is it true you are going away?”
“Yes, sis, I leave in the morning.”
Ethel was two years younger than Jack and very fond of him.
“Listen, sis,” he said earnestly, “I want you to comfort mother while I am away, and I’ll make you a promise. After I have been on this ranch long enough to get the run of things I’ll see that you and mother pay me a visit. Won’t that be great?”
“Yes, I want to visit you,” she agreed, “but I will be so lonesome until you send for us.”
“Why, sis, you have your girl friends, and let’s see, who is that young fellow you have been going with quite steadily?” he asked, smiling down at her.
“Now, you are trying to tease me,” she answered, “that young fellow you speak of, his name is George Burk, and you know I don’t care for him.”
“Sis, you’re hard to suit, maybe you can find some one in the West to marry.”
“I don’t know, Jack, just now I’m not worrying about getting married. I hope you like it out there and make good. Mother told me that father wrote to the man who owns the ranch about your coming, and also wired him. Wish I were going with you now,” she added wistfully.