The fifteen-year-old who was the very first immigrant of any nationality
to land at the famous handling station at Ellis Island, New York has now
become a young woman of twenty. Annie returns to New York and her family
and friends after her two-year stay in the wild west. She is excited by
all the opportunities New York has to offer her, but especially by the
prospect of spending more time with Mike Tierney, the young man she
loves. The glamour of New York life is seductive, although it contrasts
sharply with the poverty all around. Annie sees both sides of the city,
and must decide where her loyalties lie. At the same time, Mike is
campaigning in a presidential election while Annie fights for women's
right to vote. Then, just when life seems to be going right, war
intervenes, taking Mike far away into great danger. Annie discovers that
there is sorrow as well as joy in growing up and that some things are
irreplaceable.