Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1916-12-22
ROBINS
GIFT
By CLARISSA MACKIE

"FMNwo days to Christmas. eh. Rob-
IMP %quavered old Aunt Het
"a ty as she peered at the farm
er's almanac In her lap.
"Yes, Aunt Hetty," raplied Robin.
stirring the orang peel into the mince-
meat with vigorous strokes of her
strong young arms.
"When is the Sunday school tree?"
Tomorrow night. I wish you felt
like going, Aunt Hetty. You would en-
Joy the singing and the lights and see
ing the people,
Maybe so, dear. I'll see how I feel.
Just give me my knitting, dearie. !
must finish the parsons muffier."
Robin brought the knitting basket
%overfowing with bright colored silks
and the half completed muller for the
young clergyman. Her blue eyes were
very bright.
Two years ago-it had been Christ
mas eve-the parson, young Anthony
Drake, had whispered to Robin that
there was a gift for her on the tree.
and something In his look and the
tone of his voice led Robin to believe
that in the shyly proffered gift lay the
expression of his love for her.
But the evening had passed unevent
fully. The presents had all been dis
tributed from the tree. and. though
Robins name had been called a num-
Der of times and she had gone up to
receive sundry m~ysteriously tied pack
ages, not M appeared to be from the
young minister. Robin was deeply of
Tended. She could scarcely believe that
Anthony would stoop to jest with her
upon such a tender subject as their
newly awakened love for each other.
but when she found that he avoided her
and that his name grew cold and dis
tant Robin shrugged her pretty shout
ders and began a violent Irritation with
Ed Willis, the schoolteacher.
Il haven't been to a Sunday school
Christmas tree for two years." muir.
INJURED Aunt Hetty. knitting vigorously.
II remember" said Robin quietly.
You slipped down on the ice and
sprained your ankle that night"
"And a sight of trouble it made me-"
sighed Aunt Hetty. Il remember |
just dumped all the things | got off
the tree into my workable drawer.
and there they are now-the popcorn
ball. as hard as a rock. and the orange,
shrunk TO almost nothing, and a mess
Of little presents | never looked at. |
was so upset"
"I1l take better care of you this
time" promised Robin.
You won't want to be bothered with
an old woman. dear"
"Why not?" laughed Robin cheerily.
Aunt Hetty flashed her a queer
glance. 81 thought perhaps you were
going with Ed Willis"
Robin flushed warmly. I'm going
with you or not at all" she said firmly.
Aunt Hetty was silent for a long
while. then she asked: You are going
to help Mr.. Drake trim the tree tomor.
row afternoon? Most of the other girls
are going"
Perhaps so. There will be so many
they won't miss me-" said Robin. and
Aunt Hetty was quick to note the
tinge of bitterness in her tone.
"Mr. Drake always said you was his
star helper" said the old woman quiet.
ly. you got your pie crust made?"
eyes. indeed. auntie. I'm going to
fiji my pies now. Just taste this mince.
meat and tell me If it isn't almost as
good as you can make"
Aunt Hetty took the spoon and tast-
ed It's contents. nodding her head ap-
provingly. Its perfect, Robin. You've
done credit to my teaching. I believe
your pool ma would say so if she was
alive. Don't forget to save your pref
test pie for the parson."
every WE'LL" said Robin patiently, al
though her heart rebelled.
.
The Sunday school room was ablaze
with lights and a-glitter with ref1ec-
lions from the tinsel decorated Christ
mas tree that stood on the platform.
Every seat in the was filled when
Aunt Hetty Treat limped up the aisle
leaning on Robins strong young arm.
Somebody gave up places In the front
row of chairs so that the late corners