Introductions and explanations followed, with frequent feminine exclamations of surprise and delight.

Then the men drew a little away, talking, laughing, as men will on such occasions, leaving the two women to themselves.
In that eastern school, which, for those three years, had been Kitty's home, Helen Wakefield and the girl from Arizona had been close and intimate friends.

Indeed, Helen, with her strong womanly character and that rare gift of helpful sympathy and understanding, had been to the girl fresh from the cattle ranges more than a friend; she had been counsellor and companion, and, in many ways, a wise guardian and teacher.
"But why in the world didn't you write me about it ?" demanded Kitty a little later.

"Why didn't you tell me that you had become Mrs.Stanford Manning, and that you were coming to Prescott ?" Helen laughed and blushed happily.

"Why, you see, Kitty, it all happened so quickly that there was no time to write.