Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1920-07-01
THE FIRST ROBIN
BY NELL ADAiR.


They sat on the platform before the
little faraway station, vainly trying
to veil their Impotence. The girl in
a modish spring suit, swung her shoes
with their pearl-colOred spats to and
fro, as she perched on the end Of
hand car, while the man strobe up
and down in his high-tOpped rubber
boots. The girl glanced askance at the
rubber boots and the flannel shirt
without a collar; she was not accus-
toned to friendGness with men of so
rough appearance.
But in this desolate spot friendly
companiOnship seemed necessary to al
lay ones fears Of solitude. Why in
the world had Elizabeth urged her
visit at this time when muddy roads
made auto-riding an impOssibility.
Elizabeth should have considered
that the junction would be far from
a pleasing spot in which to pass a
waiting hour. 1t would be at least an
hour, the surly station agent had told
her, before the next train came in.
Nora Dean had been the only passen-
ger to leave the incoming car at the
junction. The patch of meadow land
before the crude station was almost
sunken in the spring flow from the
lake. Nora gazed dolefully out to
where other car tracks stretched be-
You'd Presently the big man gave an
exclamation, and stood still before the
hand-car.
"Well," he said cheerfully, "a robin.
The first robin of spring, / believe"
Nora relaxed her stiffness to follow
his pointing finger.
Its the first robin [ have seen"
The man returned her smile and
Nora saw that the face under the
soft hat was a fine face after all,
"You might make a WISH" he ven
tured pleasantly. "a wish made when
viewing the first robin of spring is
supposed to come true. Think I'll
make one myself"
"Then wish" Nora crisply suggested,
that the tardy old train will come
along, to carry us out of this dreadful
place"
GAS to that" the big man calmly
replied, "Tm not SO sure now that
I want to go"
Nora gasred and Immediately re-
turned to her former frigid demeanor.
81 was just wondering" he said con-
versationally, chow you are going to
get over to the train when it does
come without running those dainty
spats. And your thin shoes won't be
much protection I fear in walk
through the water"
"You mean," Nora asked unbeliev-
ingly, "that we have to board the train
over there?"
''Tm clad for the occasion, you See"
he said smilingly, $50 tOpbOOts are not
always a disadvantage"
'Whatever shall I do" she MUIR
INJURED, troubled.
''They can't expect passengers to
wade through a lake"
cts evident" the man said, chat
neither did the officials expect this
flood. And few passengers it seems
stop off at just this spot. However,
don't you worry, We'll think of way"
And, marvelously, at his tone of assur-
ance Nora abruptly ceased to worry.
He would find a way, as he had said.
She regarded the strangers broad fig
ure admiringly as he again strobe
thoughtfully down the platform. Why
couldn't the men of her world possess
this mans quality of inherent strength
and power, she wondered. They were
nice boys, the boys she knew, attentive
escorts Of polished refined appearance.
She could fancy the incredulous ex-
preston Of Tommy Brisbane's face, for
instance, if he might see her now in
easy conversation with this roughly
clad chance acquaintance Of a rural
station.
"There's the train whistle" the big
man said. "Is that little handbag your
up we will cross"
Nora picked up the handbag and
was in turn Immediately and as. easily
picked up herself. 1t was not until
the stranger had carefully deposited
her upon the raised ledge of land be-
side the incoming train that she found
her scattered senses sufficiently to
say: "Thank you"
For surely he had saved her an I'M
comfortable perpleXing time. The
pearl spatS were still immaculate and
as the big man snatched the felt hat
from his head in acknowledgment, he
at once relieved her of his presence.
The unusual assistance has BEEN
she smilingly told herself, most grace
fully and thoughtfully given.
Nora upbraided her friend, Eliza
beth, however, when that young per
son met her at the journeys end.
Never again." she admonished, Gin
vite me to visit you when 1 have to
come by train route"
Elizabeth laughed.
''Why there are lots Of interesting
things there in the junction section
she said, incidentally some interest
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