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Show I06 !lur"pr lfc Glib mose anb Stiller wet road lured her eager feet. She went out, leaving the gate open, and turned toward the woods, where a flock of wild geese, breasting the chill winds far above the river, was steadily cleaving a passage to the friendly North. When she reached the woods, where the white birches stood like shy dryads among the oaks, she heard once more the robin's flutelike call. It was answered by another, exactly upon the same notes, yet wholly different as to quality. Presently, among the trees, she caught a glimpse of a tall man, and she paused for an instant, frightened. Then her heart leaped and her cheeks burned, as she saw who it was. "Boy!" she called, clearly. "Oh, Boy!" Allison turned, startled, then came to her, smiling, hat in hand. "Upon my word," he said. "I didn't think there was anyone else mad enough to come out at this hour." "Why it 's Spring! Didn't you know?" "Yes. It came this morning just before sunrise." "Were you awake?" ,.Yes, were you?'' "Of course," she answered. "I couldn't stay in." "Nor could I." "The year's at the spring, And day's at the morn; Morning's at seven; The hill-side·~ dew-pearled," "Ube !!!ear 'a at tbe Spring" Rose quoted. "You know the rest, don't you?" "The rest doesn't matter. 'Morning waits at the end of the world-Gypsy, come away!'" " l '11 go," she breathed, her eyes fixed on his, "anywhere!, "To the river, then. The last time I saw it, ice and snow had hidden it completely." The path was narrow until they got out of the woods, so Rose went ahead. "I don't believe I fooled that robin by whistling to him," Allison continued. "He pretended I did, but I believe he was only trying to be polite." "He wasn't, if it was the same robin I saw in our garden this morning. I spoke to him most pleasantly and told him not to be afraid of me, but he disappeared with a very brief, chirpy good-bye." "Don't hurry so," he said, as he came up beside her and assisted her over a fallen tree. "We've got the whole day, haven't we?" "We have all the time there is," laughed Rose. "Everybody has, for that matter." "Have you had your breakfast?" "No, have you?" "Far from it. Everybody was asleep when I came out." "Then you '11 have breakfast with me," she said, quickly. "Thank you," he smiled, "for taking the hint." IO) Early !UrN |