The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-07-07
TIE EVENING STORY
Caught Mapping.

LBy Z. II. SuIcllrL6.1
Possibly a canoe is not the safest
couch In the world, but Gwen Masters
was given to the unexpected, and she
lay stretched at full length on blank
ct stretched over the floor.
The low sides of the tiny craft smut
out a view of the shores of the lake and
the bright camps that spangled the
dark green Of the underground here
and there. Above rose the mountains
in their ma jesty, and above all was the
blue sky. feclxed with tiny white clouds
drifting as idly on the surface Of the
blue as did the canoe on the placid
waters OF the lake.
1t was complete escape from civil
ization, and she dreamed her day
dreams comfortably until the sand man
sprinkled her eyes and she dozed OF.
1t was her first day in CO mp after
hard year IN the city, and the air was
at once like wine and opium. So sound
~ did she sleep that she never heard
the chug-chug Of a motor boat until
the instant before its sharp nose struck
the side of her canoe, overturning It
water.
The shock of the cold water reused
her. and diving, she came up against
the side of the little motor boat, now
lying silent beside the canoe, while
young man with q very white face
eagerly searched the water
In an instant he had grasped her
shoulder, and the next moment she lay
6o0EAA5 tlF llAS Sl6tus While ne B0SACG
himself with righting the canoe and
making it fast to the stern Of the boat
Then he turned to her with concern.
I don't know what you think of me,
ne began, awkwardly, and indeed I'd
hate to know; but really, / had no in
tention of upsetting you
T don't suppose you did it deliber-
ately," she admitted, 'but it would
seem to me that with a lake as large
as this you should have had no trouble
In avoiding the canOe.''
THAT was just it, he said, appeal
ingly- Il wasn't trying to avoid it. I
thought the boat was adrift and I was
going to win the thanks of the owner
by returning It Then just as I came
alongside caught glimpse of you in
the bottom, and it startled me so that
my hand shook on the wheel and I ran
plump into the side instead of coming
along as had intended"
Il suppose that it was rather start
ling" she conceded, but there are so
few camps on the lake that I had no
idea / ought to put up a sign to the eff
feet that [ was aboard
I'm yachting they fly the. owners
flag" he suggested. You might have
a pennant made, say a white one with
a poppy on it."
Il think I had better do my sleeping
on shore after this,'' she laughed:
then I do not risk being Weakened by a
cold BATH
for there was a fresh wind blowing,
and her water-soaked garments were
unpleaKantly cold The man sprang to
the wheel and came back bearing a
blanket, which he wrapped about her
THAT is our camp over there" he
said, indicating tiny white dot a half
mile up the lake. "The folks are all
mountain climbing today but I can
get you some of my sisters things, and
then I viii take you to your camp
Il think it would better to take me
right home.' she objected ''It is not
very far
ITS a good three miles. and with
this breeze you would be chilled
through befora you got there"
But want to go straight nome,
she persisted. conscious the moment
after of the chiIdishness Of the words
II got you into this trouble he
said. firmly. ''and I'm going to get you
properly out of it,
There was delightful mastery in
his speech. and Gwen sank back
against the cushions, finding it rather
pleasant to be ordered about in this
fashion. She had queened 1t over her
set all season. and it was nice to have
this clear-eyed young fellow taking the
whip hand.
At close range the camp appeared to.
be a rather pFetentious establishment
for Clearwater Lake The tent was
merely the annex to a commodious
lodge.
As the launch grated against the
gravel shore the man jumped out and
without word caught her UP in his
arms and strobe off toward the lodge
He set her down in one of the piazza
chairs with an injunction to sit still
Then he disappeared into the house.
Presently he returned, a smile on his
face.
'sThe girls have a lot OF duds." he
said; Just step in and help yourself
~ 4 - nr,I off
toward the boat.
Twenty minutes later she emerged
to find that in the meantime he had
prepared q tasty lunch with the coffee
pot bubbling over the camp oven.
"Coffee's better than whisky to take
the cold out he laughed. viii Miss
Masters do me the honor to lunch with
me?''
How did you know my name2'' she
He pointed to the book drying by
the fire.
1T took no Sherlock Holmes he
said. ITO even things up, my name is
something said about Theodore when
I was named. but never could live up
to the dignity Of the full title and in
mercy they cali me Ted
Gwen blushed redly. Lottie Nellis
had been singing Crawford's praises to
her for the last year. Lottie was an
inveterate matchmaker, and Gwen had
taken a malicious pleasure in avoiding
all of the meetings Lottie had planned.
She wondered if Crawford knew any
thing of Mrs. Nellis' tactics. but his
grave face treasured her, and she ac-
kncwledged the Introduction with the
stiffest of bows.
But it was impossible for any one to
maintain reserve with Ted around.
When he wished to he could make
himself most fascinating, and almost
before she knew it Gwen had forgot
ten Lottie Nellis and her schemes and
was chatting as freely as if she had
known him for years
After lunch there came the ride
down the lake in the launch. and she
was sorry when the home landing
came into sight.
Shall I see you soon?" he asked as
he handed her out and busted himself