Perth Amboy evening news., 1920-06-19
THE FIRST ROBIN
BY NELL ApAlR.

Copyright. 1879. Western Newspaper Union
They sat on the platform before the
little faraway station, vainly trying
10 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 a
hand car, while the man strobe up
and down IN his hlgh-topped rubber
boots. The girl glanced askance at the
rubber boots and the flannel shirt
without a collar; size was not accus-
toned 10 friendliness with men Of SO
rough appearance.
But IN this desolate spot friendly
companlonship 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. II would be at least an
AlOult nv ShiiN ANbAVh oeNhh HNH hC
her. before the next train came In.
Nora Dean had been the only passen-
ger 10 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, l believe"
Nora relaxed her stiffness to follow
his pointing finger.
TITS the first robin ! have seen"
Tie man returned her smile and
Nora saw that the face under the
soft hat was II 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 n 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
! want to 60"
Nora gasped and Immediately re-
turned to her former frigld demeanor.
II was Just wondering" he said con-
yersationally, chow you are going to
get over TO the train when 1t does
come without running those dainty
spats. And your thin shoes won't be
much protection I fear In a walk
through The water"
"You mean" Nora asked unbeliev-
fngly, that we have TO board the train
over theref"
I'm clad for the occasion. you see."
he said s.nilingly, so topboots are not
always a disadvantage"
Whatever shall I dof" she MUIR
INJURED, troubled.
They can't expect passengers to
wade through a lake."
Its evident" the nan said, "that
neither did the officials expect this
food. And few passengers It seems
stop on at just this spot. However.
don't you worry. Wen think of a way"
And, marvelously. at his tone of assur-
anee Nora abruptly ceased TO worry.
He would find a way, as he had said.
She regarded the strangers broad fig
ure adIniringly as he again strobe
thoughtfully down the platform. Why
couldn't the mel 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, il 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. rs that little handbag your
only luggage7 Well, II you'll pick IL
up we will cross"
Nora picked up the handbag and
WAS In turn Immediately and as easily
picked up herself. It 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 suf1ciently to
ssy Thank you."
For surely he had saved her an I'M
comfortable perplexing time. The
pearl spafs were stin Immaculate and
= the bis man sRatehed the felt hat