Thesuncameupinthatblueskylikeacurse，andhungtheretillnightcametocomforttheblisteringearth。Andonemorningaterriblethinghappened。Anniewasstandingoutofdoorsintheshadeofthosemiserablelittleoaks，ironing，whensuddenlyablastofairstruckherintheface，whichmadeherlookupstartled。Foramomentshethought，perhaps，therewasafirenearinthegrass。Buttherewasnone。
Anotherblastcame，hotterthistime，andfifteenminuteslaterthatwindwassweep-
ingstraightacrosstheplain，burningandblasting。Anniewentinthehousetofinishherironing，andwasworkingthere，whensheheardJim\'sfootsteponthedoor-sill。
Hecouldnotpalebecauseofthetan，buttherewasalookofagonyandofanger——
almostbrutishanger——inhiseyes。Thenhelooked，foramoment，atAnniestandingthereworkingpatiently，androckingthelittlecribwithonefoot，andhesatdownonthedoor-stepandburiedhisfaceinhisbrownarms。
Thewindblewforthreedays。Attheendofthattimeeveryearwaswitheredinthestalk。Thecorncropwasruined。
Butthereweretheothercropswhichmustbeattendedto，andJimwatchedthosewiththealertnessofadespairingman；andsoharvestcameagain，andagainthehousewasfilledwithmenwhotalkedtheircarelesstalk，andwhowerenotashamedtogorgewhilethisonewomancookedforthem。
Thebabylayonaquiltonthefloorinthecoolestpartofthekitchen。Anniefeditirregularly。Sometimesshealmostforgotit。Asforitswailing，shehadgrownsousedtoitthatshehardlyheardit，anymorethanshedidthetickingoftheclock。
Andyet，tighterthananythingelseinlife，wastheholdthatlittlethinghadonherheart-strings。Atnight，aftertheintermin-
ableworkhadbeenfinished——thoughinslovenlyfashion——shewouldtakeitupandcaressitwithfierceness，andwornasshewas，wouldbatheitandsootheit，andgiveitwarmmilkfromthebigtinpail。
\"Laythechilddown，\"Jimwouldsayimpatiently，whilethemenwouldtellhowtheirwivesalwaysputthebabiesonthebedandletthemcryiftheywantedto。
Anniesaidnothing，butshehushedthelittleonewithtendersongs。
Oneday，asusual，itlayonitsquiltwhileAnnieworked。Itwasaterriblybusymorning。Shehadrisenatfourtogetthewashingoutofthewaybeforethemengotonhand，andtherewereadozenloavesofbreadtobake，andthemealstoget，andthemilktoattendto，andthechickensandpigstofeed。Sooccupiedwasshethatsheneverwasabletotellhowlongshewasgonefromthebaby。Sheonlyknewthattheheatofherownbodywassogreatthatthebloodseemedtobepoundingatherears，andshestaggeredasshecrossedtheyard。Butwhenshewentatlastwithacupofmilktofeedthelittleone，itlaywithclenchedfistsandfixedeyes，andassheliftedit，alastconvulsionlaiditbackbreath-
less，anditshearthadceasedtobeat。
Annieranwithittoherroom，andtriedsuchremediesasshehad。Butnothingcouldkeepthechillfromcreepingoverthewastedlittleform，——noteventheheatoftheday，noteventhemother\'sagonizedembrace。Then，suddenly，Annielookedattheclock。Itwastimetogetthedinner。
Shelaidthepiteoustinyshapestraightonthebed，threwasheetoverit，andwentbacktothewelteringkitchentocookforthosemen，whocameatnoonandwhomustbefed——whomustbefed。
Whentheywereallseatedatthetable，Jimamongthem，andshehadservedthem，shesaid，standingattheheadofthetable，withherhandsonherhips:——
\"Idon\'tsupposeanyofyouhavetimetodoanythingaboutit；butIthoughtyoumightliketoknowthatthebabyisdead。
Iwouldn\'tthinkofaskingyoutosparethehorses，forIknowtheyhavetorest。ButIthought，ifyoucouldmakeoutonacoldsupper，thatIwouldgotothetownforacoffin。”
Therewassatireinthevoicethatstungeventhroughthedullperceptionsofthesemen，andJimarosewithacryandwenttotheroomwherehisdeadbabylay。
AbouttwomonthsafterthisAnniein-
sistedthatshemustgohometoIllinois。
Jimprotestedinaway。
\"Youknow，I\'dliketosendyou，\"hesaid；\"butIdon\'tseewherethemoneyistocomefrom。AndsinceI\'vegotthisnomination，IwanttorunaswellasIcan。
Myfriendsexpectmetodomybestforthem。It\'saduty，youknow，andnothingless，forafewmen，likeme，togetinthelegislature。We\'regoingtogetarailroadbillthroughthissessionthatwillstraightenoutagoodmanythings。Bepatientalittlelonger，Annie。”
\"Iwanttogohome，\"wastheonlyreplyhegot。\"Youmustgetthemoney，someway，formetogohomewith。”
\"Ihaven\'tpaidacentofinterestyet，\"
hecriedangrily。\"Idon\'tseewhatyoumeanbybeingsounreasonable!\"
\"Youmustgetthemoney，someway，\"
shereiterated。
Hedidnotspeaktoherforaweek，ex-
ceptwhenhewasobligedto。Butshedidnotseemtomind；andhegaveherthemoney。Hetookhertothetraininthelittlewagonthathadmetherwhenshefirstcame。Atthestation，somewomenweregossipingexcitedly，andAnnieaskedwhattheyweresaying。
\"It\'sMis\'Dundy，\"theysaid。\"She\'sbeensenttoth\'insaneasylumatLincoln。
She\'sgonestarkmad。Allshesaidonthewayoutwas，\'Th\'butterwon\'tcome!Th\'
butterwon\'tcome!\'\"Thentheylaughedalittle——astrangelaugh；andAnniethoughtofadrinking-songshehadonceheard，\"Here\'stothenextwhodies。”
TendaysafterthisJimgotaletterfromher。\"Iamnevercomingback，Jim，\"itsaid。\"Itishopeless。Idon\'tthinkI
wouldmindstandingstilltobeshotdowniftherewasanygoodinit。ButI\'mnotgoingbacktheretoworkharderthananyslaveforthosemoney-loanersandtherail-
roads。Iguesstheycanallgetalongwith-
outme。AndIamsureIcangetalongwithoutthem。Idonotthinkthiswillmakeyoufeelverybad。Youhaven\'tseemedtonoticemeverymuchlatelywhenI\'vebeenaround，andIdonotthinkyouwillnoticeverymuchwhenIamgone。Iknowwhatthismeans。IknowIambreakingmywordwhenIleaveyou。Butremember，itisnotyouIleave，butthesoil，Jim!I
willnotbeitsslaveanylonger。Ifyoucaretocomeformehere，andliveanotherlife——butno，therewouldbenouse。Ourlove，likeourtoil，hasbeeneatenupbythoserapaciousacres。Letussaygood-
by。”
Jimsatallnightwiththisletterinhishand。Sometimeshedozedheavilyinhischair。Buthedidnotgotobed；andthenextmorninghehitcheduphishorsesandrodetotown。Hewenttothebankwhichheldhisnotes。
\"I\'llconfessjudgmentassoonasyoulike，\"hesaid。\"It\'sallupwithme。”
Itwasdoneasquicklyasthelawwouldallow。Andthethingsinthehouseweresoldbyauction。Allthefarmersweretherewiththeirwives。Itmadequiteanoutingforthem。Jimmovedaroundimpassively，andchatted，nowandthen，withsomeofthemenaboutwhatthehorsesoughttobring。
Theauctioneerwasacleverfellow。Be-
tweentheputtingupofthearticles，hesangcomicsongs，andthefunnierthesong，thelivelierthebiddingthatfollowed。Thehorsesbroughtadecentprice，andthema-
chineryadisappointingone；andthen，afteradelicioussnatchaboutNellwhorodethesway-backedmareatthecountyfair，hegotdowntothefurniture，——thefurniturewhichJimhadboughtwhenhewasexpect-
ingAnnie。
Jimwaswalkingaroundwithhishandsinhispockets，lookingunconcerned，and，asthefurniturebegantogooff，hecameandsatdowninthemidstofit。Everyonenoticedhisindifference。Someofthemsaidthatafterallhecouldn\'thavebeenveryambitious。Hedidn\'tseemtotakehisfailuremuchtoheart。Everyonewasconcentratingattentiononthecooking-
stove，whenJimleanedforward，quickly，overalittlewickerwork-stand。
Therewasabitofunfinishedsewingthere，anditfelloutasheliftedthecover。Itwasababy\'slinenshirt。Jimletitlie，andthenliftedfromitsreceptacleasilverthimble。
Heputitinhisvest-pocket。
Thecampaigncameonshortlyafterthis，andJimLancywasdefeated。\"I\'mgoingtoOmaha，\"saidhetothestation-master，\"andI\'vegotjustenoughtobuyaticketwith。There\'sakindofsatisfactioningiv-
ingthelastcentIhavetotherailroads。”
Twomonthslater，a\"plaindrunk\"wasregisteredatthestationinNebraska\'sme-
tropolis。Whentheysearchedhimtheyfoundnothinginhispocketsbutasilverthimble，andJoeBenson，thepolicemanwhohadbroughtinthe\"drunk，\"gaveittothematron，withhiscompliments。Butshe，whennoonenoticed，wentsoftlytowherethemanwassleeping，andslippeditbackintohispocket，withasigh。Forsheknewsomehow——aswomendoknowthings——thathehadnotstolenthatthimble。
THEequinoctiallineitselfisnotmoreimaginarythanthelinewhichdividedtheestatesofthethreeJohns。TheherdsofthethreeJohnsroamedatwill，andnibbledtheshortgrassfarandnearwithoutletorhindrance；andthethreeJohnsthem-
selveswereutterlyindifferentastoboun-
darylines。Eachofthemhadfiledhisapplicationattheofficeofthegovernmentland-agent；eachwasengagedinthetedioustaskof\"provingup；\"andeachownedone-thirdoftheL-shapedcabinwhichstoodatthepointwherethethreeranchestouched。
Thehundredandsixtyacreswhichwouldhavecompletedthisquadranglehadnotyetbeen\"takenup。”
ThethreeJohnswerenotanxioustohaveaneighbor。Indeed，theyhadmadeuptheirmindsthatifoneappearedonthatadjoining\"hun\'erdan\'sixty，\"itwouldgohardwithhim。Fortheydidnotdealinjusticeverymuch——thethreeJohns。Theyconsiderediteffete。ItbelongedintheEastalongwithotheroutgrownsupersti-
tions。Andtheyhadgivenitoutwidelythatitwouldbehealthierforlandapplicantstogivethemelbow-room。Ittookagoodmanymilesofsunburntprairietoaffordelbow-roomforthethreeJohns。
TheymetbyaccidentinHamiltonattheland-office。JohnHenderson，freshfromCincinnati，manifestlyunusedtothewaysofthecountry，lookedatJohnGillispiewithalurkingsmile。Gillispieworeasombrero，fresh，white，andexpansive。Hisbootshadhighheels，andwereofelegantleatherandfinelyarchedattheinstep。Hiscorduroysdisappearedinthemhalf-wayupthethigh。
Abouthiswaistasashofblueheldalacedshirtofthesamecolorinplace。Hender-
sonpuffedathiscigarette，andcontinuedtolookatriflequizzical。
SuddenlyGillispiewalkeduptohimandsaid，inavoiceofcompletesuavity，\"Damnyeh，smokeapipe!\"
\"Eh？\"saidHenderson，stupidly。
\"Smokeapipe，\"saidtheother。\"Thatthingyouhaveisbadforyourcomplexion。”
\"Icantakecareofmycomplexion，\"saidHenderson，firmly。
Thetwolookedeachotherstraightintheeye。
\"Youdon\'tgoonsmokingthatthingtillyouhaveapologizedforthatgrinyouhadonyourphizamomentago。”
\"IlaughwhenIplease，andIsmokewhatIplease，\"saidHenderson，hotly，hisfaceflamingasherealizedthathewasinforhisfirst\"row。”
Thatwashowitbegan。Howitwouldhaveendedisnotknown——probablytherewouldhavebeenonlyoneJohn——ifithadnotbeenforthealmostmiraculousappear-
anceatthismomentofthethirdJohn。Forjustthenthetwobelligerentsfoundthem-
selvesprostrate，theirpistolsonlyhalf-cocked，andbetweenthemstoodamanallgnarledandsquat，likeoneofthosewind-tornoakswhichgrowonthearidheights。Hewasnoolderthantheothers，butthelinesinhisfaceweredeep，andhislargemouthtwitchedashesaid:——
\"Holdonhere，yehfools!There\'stoomuchbloodinyoutospill。You\'llspileth\'floor，andwastegoodstuff。Weneedbloodouthere!\"
Gillispiebouncedtohisfeet。Hendersonarosesuspiciously，keepinghiseyesonhisassailants。
\"Oh，getup!\"criedtheintercessor。
\"Wedon\'tshootmenhereaboutstilltheygitontheirfeetinfightin\'trim。”
\"Whatdoyouknowaboutwhatwedohere？\"interruptedGillispie。\"ThisisthefirsttimeIeversawyouaround。”
\"That\'sso，\"theotheradmitted。\"I\'mjustdownfromMontana。Cametotakeupaquartersection。WhereIcomefromwegivemenashow，an\'Ithoughtperhapsyehdidth\'samehere。”
\"Why，yes，\"admittedGillispie，\"wedo。
ButIdon\'twantfolkstolaughtoomuch——notwhenI\'maround——unlesstheytellmewhatthejokeis。Iwasjustmentioningittothegentleman，\"headded，dryly。
\"SoIsaw，\"saidtheother；\"you\'rekindaemphaticinyerremarks。Yehoughttogivethegentlemanachancetogitusedtothewaysofth\'country。He\'llbeastoughasth\'restofusifyou\'llgivehimachance。
Ikinseeitinhim。”
\"Thankyou，\"saidHenderson。\"I\'mgladyoudomejustice。Iwishyouwouldn\'tletdaylightthroughmetillI\'vehadachancetogetmyquartersection。I\'mgoingtobeoneofyou，eitherasalivemanoracorpse。ButIpreferahundredandsixtyacresoflandtosixfeetofit。”
\"There，now!\"triumphantlycriedthesquatman。\"Didn\'tItellyeh？Givehimashow!\'Tain\'tnofaultofhisthathe\'satenderfoot。He\'llgetoverthat。”
Gillispieshookhandswithfirstoneandthentheotherofthemen。\"It\'sasquaredealfromthison，\"hesaid。\"Comeandhaveadrink。”
That\'showtheymet——JohnHenderson，JohnGillispie，andJohnWaite。Andaweeklatertheywereputtingupashantytogetherforcommonuse，whichoverlappedeachoftheirreservations，andsatisfiedthelawwithitssociablesubterfuge。
Thelifewasn\'tbad，Hendersondecided；
andheadoptedallthewaysofthecountryinanastonishinglyshortspaceoftime。
Therewasafreedomaboutitallwhichwascertainlycomplete。Thethreealternatedinthenightwatch。Onceaweekoneofthemwenttotownforprovisions。Theywerenotgoodatthemakingofbread，sotheycontentedthemselveswithhotcakes。
Thentherewassaltporkforastaple，andprunes。Theysleptinstraw-linedbunks，withwarmblanketsforacovering。Theymadeapointofbringingreading-matterbackfromtowneveryweek，andtherewerealwayscardstofallbackon，andWaitesangsongsforthemwithnaturaldramatictalent。
Nevertheless，inspiteoftheircontent-
ment，noneofthemwassorrywhentheopportunityofferedforgoingtotown。
Therewasalwaysabitofstirringgossiptobepickedup，andnowandthentherewasa\"show\"atthe\"opera-house，\"inwhich，itisalmostunnecessarytosay，nooperahadeverbeensung。Thentherewasthehotel，atwhichonenotonlygotgoodfare，butachatwiththethreedaughtersofJimO\'Neal，theproprietor——girlswiththeacci-
dentoftwoIrishparents，whowere，not-
withstanding，astypicallyAmericanastheywellcouldbe。Ahalf-hour\'stalkwiththesecheerfulyoungwomenwasallthemoretobedesiredforthereasonthatwithinridingdistanceofthethreeJohns\'ranchtherewereonlytwootherwomen。OnewasMinervaFitch，whohadgoneoutfromMichiganaccompaniedbyanoil-stoveandaknowl-
edgeoftheEnglishgrammar，withtheintentionofteachingschool，butwhohadbeenunabletocarrythesegoodintentionsintoexecutionforthereasonthattherewerenochildrentoteach，——atleast，nonebutBow-leggedJoe。Hewasasadlittlefellow，wholookedlikeaprairie-dog，andwhohadverymuchthesamesortofanoutlookonlife。
TheotherwomanwasthebriskandefficientwifeofMr。BillDeems，of\"Missourah。”
Mr。Deemshadneverinhislifedoneany-
thing，notevensomuchasbringinabasketofbuffalochipstosupplythescantyfire。
Thatistosay，hehaddonenothingstrictlyutilitarian。Yethefilledhisplace。Hewasthemostaccomplishedstory-tellerinthewholevalley，andthisaccomplishmentofhiswasheldinashighesteemastheimprovisa-
tionsofaWelshminstrelwereamonghisreverencingpeople。Hiswifealonedepre-
catedhisskill，andinterruptedhisspiritednarrativeswithsarcasticallusionsconcerningtheemptycupboard，andthe\"stateofherback，\"towhich，assheconfidedtoanywhowouldlisten，\"therewasnotaragfittowear。”
Thesetwoladieshadnot，asmaybesurmised，anyparticularattractionforJohnHenderson。Truthtotell，HendersonhadnotcomeWestwiththeintentionoflik-
ingwomen，butratherwithadetermina-
tiontoseeandthinkaslittleofthemaspossible。Yeteventhemostconfirmedmisogynistmustadmitthatitisagoodthingtoseeawomannowandthen，andforthisreasonHendersonfounditamusingtoconversewiththeamiableMissesO\'Neal。
Attwenty-fiveonecannotbeunyieldinginone\'savoidanceofthesex。
Henderson，withhisponyatafinelope，wasonhiswaytotownoneday，inthatcomfortableframeofmindadducedbyanabsenceofanyideaswhatever，whenhesuddenlybecameconsciousofashiverthatseemedtorunfromhislegstothepony，andbackagain。Theanimalgaveastartledleap，andliftedhisears。Therewasastir-
ringinthecoarsegrasses；thesky，whichamomentbeforehadbeenlikesapphire，dulledwithanindescribablegrayness。
Thencamealittlesingingafaroff，asiffromadistantconvocationofcicadæ；，andbeforeHendersoncouldguesswhatitmeant，acloudofdustwasuponhim，blindingandbewildering，prickingwithsharpparticlesateyesandnostrils。Theponywasanuglyfellow，andwhenHendersonfelthimputhisforefeettogether，heknewwhatthatmeant，andbracedhimselfforthestruggle。Butitwasuseless；hehadnotyetacquiredtheknackofstayingonthebackofabuckingbronco，andthenextmomenthewasontheground，andaroundhimwhirledthatsaffronchaosofdust。Thetemperatureloweredeverymoment。Hendersonin-
stinctivelyfeltthatthiswasbutthebegin-
ningofthestorm。Hepickedhimselfupwithoutuselessregretsforhispony，andmadehiswayon。
Thesaffronhueturnedtoblackness，andthenoutofthemurkshotalivinggreenballoffire，andploughedintotheearth。
Thensheetsofwater，thatseemedtocomesimultaneouslyfromearthandsky，swepttheprairie，andinthemidstofitstruggledHenderson，weakasalittlechild，halfbereftofsensebythestrangenumbnessofheadanddullnessofeye。Anotherofthosegreenballsfellandburst，asitactuallyappearedtohim，beforehishorrifiedeyes，andthebellowandblareoftheexplosionmadehimcryoutinamadnessoffrightandphysicalpain。Intheilluminationhehadseenacabinonlyafewfeetinfrontofhim，andtowardithemadefrantically，withanani-
mal\'sinstinctivedesireforshelter。
Thedoordidnotyieldatoncetohispressure，andinthepanicofhisfearhethrewhisweightagainstit。Therewasacryfromwithin，afall，andHendersonflunghimselfinthecabinandclosedthedoor。
Intheduskofthestormhesawawomanhalfprostrate。Itwasshewhomhehadpushedfromthedoor。Hecaughtthehookinitsstaple，andturnedtoraiseher。Shewasnottremblingasmuchashe，but，likehimself，shewasdizzywiththeshockofthelightning。InthemidstofalltheclamorHendersonheardashrillcrying，andlookingtowardthesideoftheroom，hedimlyperceivedthreetinyformscrouchedinoneofthebunks。Thewomantookthesmallestofthechildreninherarms，andkissedandsoothedit；andHenderson，afterhehadthrownablanketatthebottomofthedoortokeepoutthedriftingrain，satwithhisbacktoit，bracingitagainstthewind，lestthefrailstapleshouldgiveway。
Hemanagedsomewaytoreachoutandlayholdoftheotherlittleones，andgottheminhisarms，——aboy，sotinyheseemedhardlyhuman，andagirlsomewhatsturdier。
Theycuddledinhisarms，andclutchedhisclotheswiththeirfranticlittlehands，andthethreesatsowhiletheearthandtheheavensseemedtobemeetinginangrycombat。
Andbackandforth，backandforth，inthedimnessswayedthebodyofthewoman，hushingherbabe。
Almostassuddenlyasthedarknesshadfallen，itlifted。Thelightningceasedtothreaten，andalmostfrolicked，——littleway-
wardflashesofwhiteandyellowdancinginmid-air。Thewindwailedlessfrequently，likeachildwhosobsinitssleep。AndatlastHendersoncouldmakehisvoiceheard。
\"Isthereanythingtobuildafirewith？\"
heshouted。\"Thechildrenareshiver-
ingso。”
Thewomanpointedtoabasketofbuffalochipsinthecorner，andhewrappedhislittlecompanionsupinablanketwhilehemadeafireinthecooking-stove。Thebabywassleepingbythistime，andthewomanbegantidyingthecabin，andwhenthefirewasburningbrightly，sheputsomecoffeeon。
\"IwishIhadsomeclothestoofferyou，\"
shesaid，whenthewindhadsubsidedsuffi-
cientlytomaketalkingpossible。\"I\'mafraidyou\'llhavetoletthemgetdryonyou。”
\"Oh，that\'sofnoconsequenceatall!
We\'reluckytogetoffwithourlives。I
neversawanythingsoterrible。Fancy!
halfanhouragoitwassummer；nowitiswinter!\"
\"Itseemsrathersuddenwhenyou\'renotusedtoit，\"thewomanadmitted。\"I\'velivedintheWestsixyearsnow；youcan\'tfrightenmeanymore。Weneverdieoutherebeforeourtimecomes。”
\"YouseemtoknowthatIhaven\'tbeenherelong，\"saidHenderson，withsomechagrin。
\"Yes，\"admittedthewoman；\"youhavetheear-marksofamanfromtheEast。”
Shewasatallwoman，withlargeblueeyes，andaremarkablequantityofyellowhairbraidedontopofherhead。Hergownwasofcalico，ofsuchapatternasawidowmightwear。
\"Ihaven\'tbeenoutoftownaweekyet，\"
shesaid。\"We\'renothalfsettled。Nothavinganyonetohelpmakesitharder；
andthebabyisratherfretful。”
\"Butyou\'renotalonewithalltheselittlecodgers？\"criedHenderson，indismay。
Thewomanturnedtowardhimwithasortofdefiance。\"Yes，Iam，\"shesaid；\"andI\'masstrongasahorse，andImeantogetthroughallright。Herewerethethreechildreninmyarms，youmaysay，andnowaytogetinacent。Iwasn\'tgoingtostanditjusttopleaseotherfolk。Isaid，letthemtalkiftheywantto，butI\'mgoingtoholddownaclaim，andbeaccumulatingsomethingwhilethechildrenaregettingupabit。Oh，I\'mnotafraid!\"
Inspiteofthisboldassertionofbravery，therewasasortofbreakinhervoice。Shewasputtingdishesonthetableasshetalked，andturnedsomehamintheskillet，andgotthechildrenupbeforethefire，anddroppedsomeeggsinwater，——allwitharapiditythatbewilderedHenderson。
\"Howlonghaveyoubeenalone？\"heasked，softly。
\"Threemonthsbeforebabywasborn，andhe\'sfivemonthsoldnow。I——I——youthinkIcangetonhere，don\'tyou？Therewasnothingelsetodo。”
Shewasfoldinganotherblanketoverthesleepingbabynow，andtheactionbroughttoherguesttherecollectionofathousandtendermomentsofhisdimlyrememberedyouth。
\"You\'llgetonifwehaveanythingtodowithit，\"hecried，suppressinganoathwithdifficulty，justfrompureemotion。
AndhetoldheraboutthethreeJohns\'
ranch，andfounditwasonlythreemilesdistant，andthatbothwereonthesameroad；onlyhercabin，havingbeenputupduringthepastweek，hadofcoursebeenunknowntohim。Soitendedinasortofcompactthattheyweretohelpeachotherinsuchwaysastheycould。Meanwhilethefiregotgenial，andthecoffeefilledthecabinwithitscomfortablescent，andallofthematetogetherquitemerrily，Hendersoncut-
tingupthehamfortheyoungsters；andhetoldhowhechancedtocomeout；andsheentertainedhimwithstoriesofwhatshethoughtatfirstwhenshewasbroughtabridetoHamilton，theadjacentvillage，andconvulsedhimwithstoriesofthepeople，whomshesawwithhumorouseyes。
Hendersonmarvelledhowshecouldinthosefewminuteshaverescuedthecabinfromthedesolationinwhichthestormhadplungedit。Outofthewindowhecouldseethestrickengrassesdrippingcoldmoist-
ure，andtheskystillangrilyplungingfor-
wardlikeadisturbedsea。Notatreeorahousebroketheview。Thedesolationofitsweptoverhimasitneverhadbefore。Butwithinthelittleoneswerechatteringtothemselvesinoddbabydialect，andthemotherwaslaughingwiththem。
\"Womenaren\'talwaysuseless，\"shesaid，atparting；\"andyoutellyourchumsthatwhentheygethungryforasliceofhome-
madebreadtheycangetithere。Andthenexttimetheygoby，Iwantthemtostopinandlookatthechildren。It\'lldothemgood。Theymaythinktheywon\'tenjoythemselves，buttheywill。”
\"Oh，I\'llanswerforthat!\"criedhe，shakinghandswithher。\"I\'lltellthemwehavejusttherightsortofaneighbor。”
\"Thankyou，\"saidshe，heartily。\"AndyoumaytellthemthathernameisCathe-
rineFord。”
Onceathome，hetoldhisstory。
\"H\'m!\"saidGillispie，\"IguessI\'llhavetogototownmyselfto-morrow。”
Hendersonlookedathimblackly。\"She\'sawomanalone，Gillispie，\"saidhe，severely，\"tryingtomakeherwaywithhandicaps——\"
\"Shetup，can\'tye，yedarnedfool？\"
roaredGillispie。\"Whatdoyehtakemefur？\"
Waitewasputtingonhisrubbercoatpreparatorytogoingoutforhisnightwiththecattle。\"Guessyou\'remakin\'amistake，myboy，\"hesaid，gently。\"Thereain\'tnodangerofanywomanbein\'treatedrudeintheseparts。”
\"Iknowit，byJove!\"criedHenderson，inquickcontriteness。
\"Allright，\"gruntedGillispie，intacitacceptanceofthisapology。\"Iguessyouthoughtyouwasincivilizedparts。”
TwodaysafterthisWaitecameinlatetohissupper。\"Well，Iseenher，\"heannounced。
\"Oh!didyou？\"criedHenderson，know-
ingperfectlywellwhomhemeant。\"Whatwasshedoing？\"
\"Killin\'snakes，b\'gosh!Shesaysth\'
baby\'scrazyfurum，an\'soshetakesaroun\'
ahoeonhershoulderwherevershegoes，an\'whensheseesasnake，shehasitoutwith\'imthenan\'there。Isaysto\'er，\'Yerdon\'texpec\'t\'gitallth\'snakesoutenthisherecountry，d\'yeh？\'\'Well，\'shesays，\'I\'masgoodamanasSt。Patrickanyday。\'
Sheisajollyone，Henderson。Shetukmeinan\'showedmeth\'kids，andgivemealoafofgingerbreadtobringhome。Hereitis；see？\"
\"Hu!\"saidGillispie。\"I\'mnotinit。”
Butforallofhisscornhewasnotaboveeatingthegingerbread。
Itwasgardeningtime，andthethreeJohnswereputtingineverysparemomentinthelittlepalingmadeofwillowtwigsbehindthehouse。Itwaslittleenoughtimetheyhad，though，forthecattlewerenewtoeachotherandtothecountry，andtheywerehardtomanage。ItwasgenerallyconcededthatWaitehadageniusforherd-
ing，andhecouldtakethe\"mad\"outofafractiousanimalinawaythattheotherslookedonaslittlelessthansuperhuman。
Thusitwasthatoneday，whentheclayhadbeenwellturned，andtheseedsarrangedonthekitchentable，andallthingspreparedforanafternoonofbusyplanting，thatWaiteandHenderson，whowereneededoutwiththecattle，feltnolittleirritationattheinex-
plicableabsenceofGillispie，whowastolookafterthegarden。Itwasquitenight-
fallwhenheatlastreturned。Supperwasready，althoughithadbeenGillispie\'sturntoprepareit。
Hendersonwassorefromhissaddle，andcrossathavingtodomorethanhisshareofthework。\"Damnyeh!\"hecried，asGillispieappeared。\"Whereyehbeen？\"
\"Makinggarden，\"respondedGillispie，slowly。
\"Makinggarden!\"Hendersonindulgedinsomemoreharmlessoaths。
JustthenGillispiedrewfromunderhiscoatalargeandfriendlylookingapple-pie。
\"Yes，\"hesaid，withemphasis；\"I\'vebina-makin\'gardenfurMis\'Ford。”
AndsoitcameaboutthatthethreeJohnsknewherandservedher，andthatsheneverhadaneedthattheywerenotreadytosupplyiftheycould。Notoneofthemwouldhavethoughtofgoingtotownwith-
outstoppingtoinquirewhatwasneededatthevillage。AsforCatherineFord，shewasfightingherwaywithnativepluckandmaternalunselfishness。Ifshehadfearedsolitudeshedidnotsufferfromit。Theactivityofherlifestifledherfreshsorrow。
Shewaspleasantlyexcitedbytherumorsthatarailroadwassoontobebuiltneartheplace，whichwouldraisethevalueoftheclaimshewas\"holdingdown\"manythou-
sanddollars。
Itismarvelloushowsorrowshrinkswhenoneisveryhealthyandverymuchoccupied。
Althoughpovertywasherclosecompanion，Catherinehadnothoughtofitinthisprim-
itivemannerofliving。Shehadcomeoutthere，withtheindependenceanddetermi-
nationofaWesternwoman，forthepurposeoflivingattheleastpossibleexpense，andmakingthemostshecouldwhilethebabywas\"gettingoutofherarms。”Thatprocesshasitspleasures，whicheverymotherfeelsinspiteofburdens，andthemindishappilydulledbynature\'smercifulprovision。Withalittlechildtuggingatthebreast，careandfretvanish，notbecauseofthehappinesssomuchasbecauseofacertainmammalcomplacency，whichisnotatallintellectual，butservesitspurposebetterthanthepro-
foundestmethodofreasoning。
Sowithoutanyveryunbearablemiseryatherrecentwidowhood，thishealthyyoungwomanworkedinfieldandhouse，caredforherlittleones，milkedthetwocowsoutinthecorral，sewed，sang，rode，baked，andwashappyforverywholesomeness。Some-
timesshereproachedherselfthatshewasnotmoremiserable，rememberingthatlonggravebackintheunkemptlittleprairiecemetery，andshesatdowntocoaxhersorrowintoproperprominence。Butthebabycooingatherfromitsbunk，thelowofthecattlefromthecorralbegginghertorelievetheirheavybags，thefamiliarcallofoneofherneighborsfromwithout，eventheburningskyofthesummerdawns，brokethespellofthisconjuredsorrow，andinspiteofherselfshewasagainaveryheartyandhappyyoungwoman。Besides，ifonehasalikingforcomedy，itisimpossibletobedullonaNebraskaprairie。Thepeopleareamerrierdivertissementthanthetheatrewithitshackneyedstories。CatherineFordlaughedagooddeal，andshetookthethreeJohnsintoherconfidence，andtheylaughedwithher。TherewasMinervaFitch，whoinsistedoncomingovertotellCatherinehowtoraiseherchildren，andwhowasalmostoffendedthatthechildrenwouldn\'tdieofsunstrokewhenshepredicted。AndtherewasBobAckerman，whohadinflam-
matoryrheumatismandaPast，andwhoconfidedthelattertoMrs。Fordwhileshedoctoredtheformerwithhomoeopathicmedicines。Andtherewereallthestrangevisionarieswhocameoutprospecting，andquitenaturallydriftedtoMrs。Ford\'scabinforameal，andpaidherincomplimentsofapeculiarlyWesterntype。AndtherewerethethreeJohnsthemselves。Catherinecon-
sidereditnotreasontolaughatthemalittle。
YetatWaiteshedidnotlaughmuch。
Therehadcometobesomethingpatheticintheconstantserviceherenderedher。Thebeginningofhismoreparticulardevotionhadstartedinaparticularway。Malariawasverybadinthecountry。Ithadcarriedoffsomeofthemostvigorousontheprairie，andtwicethatsummerCatherineherselfhadlaidoutthecoldformsofherneighborsonironing-boards，and，withtheassistanceofBillDeemsofMissourah，hadreadtheburialserviceoverthem。Shehadavertedseveralotherfatalrunsoffeverbythecon-
tentsofherlittlemedicine-case。Theseremediesshedealtoutwithanintelligencethatastonishedherpatients，untilitwaslearnedthatshewasstudyingmedicineatthetimethatshemetherlatehusband，andwaspersuadedtoassumetheresponsibilitiesofmatrimonyinsteadofthoseofthemedi-
calprofession。
Onedayinmidsummer，whenthesunwasfocussingitselfontherawpineboardsofhershanty，andCatherinehadtheshadesdrawnforcoolnessandthewater-pitcherswathedinwetrags，EastIndianfashion，sheheardthefamiliarhallooofWaitedowntheroad。Thisgreeting，whichwasusuallysenttoherfromthepointwherethedip-
pingroadlifteditselfintothefirstviewofthehouse，didnotcontainitsusualnoteofcheerfulness。Catherine，wipingherhandsonhercheckedapron，ranouttowaveawelcome；andWaite，hissquatbodylookingmoredistortedthanever，hishugeshoulderslurchingashewalked，camefairlyplung-
ingdownthehill。
\"It\'sallupwithHenderson!\"hecried，asCatherineapproached。\"He\'sgotthemalery，an\'hesayshe\'sdyin\'。”
\"That\'snosignhe\'sdying，becausehesaysso，\"retortedCatherine。
\"Hewantstoseeyeh，\"pantedWaite，moppinghisbiguglyhead。\"Ithinkhe\'sgotsomethin\'particulartosay。”
\"Howlonghashebeendown？\"
\"Threedays；an\'yehwouldn\'tknow\'im。”
Thechildrenwereplayingontheflooratthatsideofthehousewhereitwasleasthot。Catherinepouredoutthreebowlsofmilk，andcutsomebread，meanwhiletellingKittyhowtofeedthebaby。
\"She\'sasensiblething，isthelittledaughter，\"saidCatherine，asshetiedonhersunbonnetandpackedalittlebasketwiththingsfromthecupboard。Shekissedthebabiestenderly，flungherhoe——heronlyweaponofdefence——overhershoulder，andthetwostartedoff。
Theydidnotspeak，fortheirthroatsweresoontooparched。Theprairiewasburnedbrownwiththesun；thegrassescurledasiftheyhadbeenonagridiron。Astrongwindwasblowing；butitbroughtnocom-
fort，foritwasheavywithascorchingheat。
Theskinsmartedandblisteredunderit，andtheeyesfeltasiftheywerefilledwithsand。
Thesunseemedtoswingbutalittlewayabovetheearth，andthoughtheskywasintensestblue，aroundaboutthisburningballtherewasahaloofcopper，asiftheveryetherwerebeingconsumedinyellowfire。
Waiteputsomebigburdock-leavesonCatherine\'sheadunderherbonnet，andnowandthenhetookabottleofwaterfromhispocketandmadeherswallowamouthful。
Shestaggeredoftenasshewalked，andtheroadwasblackbeforeher。Still，itwasnotverylongbeforetheoddlyshapedshackofthethreeJohnscameinsight；andashecaughtaglimpseofit，Waitequickenedhisfootsteps。
\"Whatifheshouldbegone？\"hesaid，underhisbreath。
\"Oh，comeoff!\"saidCatherine，angrily。
\"He\'snotgone。Youmakemetired!\"
Butshewastremblingwhenshestoppedjustbeforethedoortocomposeherselfforamoment。Indeed，shetrembledsoverymuchthatWaiteputouthissprawlinghandtosteadyher。Shegentlyfeltthepressuretightening，andWaitewhisperedinherear:
\"IguessI\'dstandbyhimaswellasany-
body，excep\'you，Mis\'Ford。He\'sbeenmybes\'friend。ButIguessyoulikehimbetter，eh？\"
Catherineraisedherfinger。ShecouldhearHenderson\'svoicewithin；itwaspitiablyquerulous。Hewashalfsittingupinhisbunk，andGillispiehadjusthandedhimaplateonwhichtwocakeswereswim-