Gilpin observer., 1920-06-17
THE FIRST ROBIN
BY NELL ADAIR.
scopyrigh.. 1870. we.tern New.paper un!onl


to veil their impatience. The girl in
modish spring suit, swung her shoes
with their pearl-cOlOred spats to and
fro, MS 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 collar; she was not accus-
toned to friendliness 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
n pleasing spot in which to pass
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-
yOnd. 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 l have seen"
The man returned her smile ana
Nora saw that the face under the
soft hat was fine face after all.
"You might make 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"
"As to that" the big man calmly
replied, "I'm not so sure now that
l want to go.''
Nora gasped and Immediately re-
turned to her former frigid> demeanor.
II was Just wondering" he said con-
versationally, show you are going to
get over to the train when 1t does
come without running those dainty
spats. And your thin shoes won't he
much protection 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 disadvantage"
"Whatever shall do?" she MUIR
INJURED, troubled.
"They can't expect passengers to
wade through lake" !.
'It's evident" the man said, "that
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 n way"
And, maryelously, ut his tone of assur-
nnce Nora abruptly ceased to worry.
He would find 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 We're
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 n rural
station.
"There's the train whistle" the big
man said. SIS that little handbag your
only luggage? Well, If you'll pick 1t
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 un-
comfortable perpleXing time. The
pearl spats were still immaculate and
ms the big man snatched the felt hat
from his head I'm acknowledgment he
at once relieved her of his presence.
The unusual assistance has been.
she smillngly told herself, most grace
fully and thoughtfully given.
Nora uphralded her friend, Eliza
beth. however, when that young per-
son met her at the journeys end
Never again." she admonished. "ln-
vite me to visit you when l have to
come by train route"
Elizabeth laughed.
why there are lots of interesting
things there In the junctio~ section"
she said. incidentally some interest