of love. Their simple compliments to each
other were almost ludicrous. But any one
who might have chanced to overhear them
would have been charmed, for they betrayed
an innocence as beautiful as an unclouded
dawn.

Annie tried hard not to be depressed
by the treeless stretches of the Nebraska
plains.

"This is different from Illinois," she
ventured once, gently; "it is even different
from Iowa."

"Yes, yes," cried Jim, enthusiastically, "it
is different! It is the finest country in the
world! You never feel shut in. You can
always see off. I feel at home after I get
in Nebraska. I'd choke back where you
live, with all those little gullies and the trees
everywhere. It's a mystery to me how
farmers have patience to work there."

Annie opened her eyes. There was evi-
dently more than one way of looking at a
question. The farm-houses seemed very
low and mean to her, as she looked at them
from the window. There were no fences,
excepting now and then the inhospitable