Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1919-11-14

ROBINS LANE
BY IzoLA FORESTER.


Hardy had been home a week, and
still he felt like stranger in Taft
VILE Not but what everybody well
coined him, but they did it in an easy
going sort Of way that left his own
enthusiasm cold after ten years of an
ricipation.
He had been twentyfour when he
had started West. There had been two
incentives, his fathers demand that he
throw up engineering and go into the
store, and Winifred's refusal to marry
him.
His yearning to make good and show
them the sort of man he really was
had been the spur all the years he
had worked and climbed. Wnifred
had told him she liked boys who were
steady" That meant the hardware
store, and Irving & Son" on the long
black and gold sign over the door. He
had laughed bitterly, out in the lonely
Arizona nights, before he had struck
his right pace, and yet there had been
the sting of inconsistencies in II too.
With all the joy of adventure and ex-
perience, the little mill town on the
1antic river back in Connecticut was
home to him, and Winifred was the
only girl who could bring a thrill to
his heart just little Winifred Blake
with her big blue eyes that seemed to
challenge fellow to do the very best
that was in him.
He had seen her only at a distance
since his return-once in church. twice
down along Main street when she was
waiting for the car. Then he met her
on the old hill road coming from the
reservoir Saturday afternoon, her
hands filled with violets.
You know they always did grow
longer and larger up there, it seemed"
she said, as he waited beside her in
the road.
81 was going up after some" Hardy
told her awkwardly.
Take the short cut through Robins
lane. why don't you? Do you remem-
Der the Way?"
And Hardy deliberately prevaricated.
No, he was sorry. He had absolutely
forgotten the short cut. Wouldn't she
Just turn back and show it to him?
Winifred hesitated. laughed little
and looked as If she didn't believe him.
I'VE always went that way after
yiolets, Hardy" she reminded him.
It's just the little lane below the big
woodlot. You know 1t so we'll"
But Hardy shook his head, looking
down into her eyes until she ignored
him, and watched the fringe of pines
and red oaks ahead of them, with slen-
der white birches lifting tremulous
new leaves in the sunlight
He had made up his mind all the
way home that he would ask her again.
She had only been seventeen then.
Now she was twenty-seyen, and II
seemed as if the years had only made
her sweeter and more desirable. There
was something indefinable about her
now, something that evaded him. She
seemed sure Of herself poised and tran
gull eyed more tender, too, In her
way. 1t must have been lonely for her
there in the little mill town.
See the island over yonder." Wini-
fred said suddenly. They had come to
the crest of the hill overlooking the
reservoir 1t had always looked like A
miniature western mountain scene. the
broad lake with its rocky pine-edged
shores, and rocky islands here and
there. What splendid times we used
to have up here, Hardy"
I've never forgotten one of them"
he said slowly. when you're a thou
sand miles and more away from home,
only memories seem real"
Il know" she rejoined quickly. "AIl
the time | was in Japan felt that way
and when we were sent down to the
Philippines 1t was even worse. for
there | would meet somebody from
home once In awhile, and everything
they said made me want to take the
next boat back"
You've been away?" he exclaimed
with Aunt Dora and Uncle Phil"
she nodded her head. There were so
many of us at home, and when he was
sent to the East by his company. he
wanted secretary, so | cOaxed him
to take me. Then he died in Toxic
and because | understood the trade
situation pretty well, they made me
sales manager instead of trying to
break in new man. I've only been
home about two months. They want
me to try South America this time.
but I'm tired of 1t. | suppose women
are just tabby cats after all. You
work and make believe you like II. and
all the time you're thinking of some
coy corner to curl up In and rest.
I'm going to buy the Prendergast place
and fix up the garden beautifully. and
have five cats"
Hardy laughed, laughed until she
turned to look at him almost resent
fully. He was so tall and broad shoul.
dered, so resolute and sure of himself
Jdst as she remembered him. One rea.
son why she had gone avav was 20