The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-06-11
THE EVENING STORY
Queen of Quagmond.
(By Epes W. SARGENT \

Far out in the blue expanse of water
two black specks turned smaller and
smaller in the distance. Now and then
the early morning sun caught the broad
blades of the oars with CLINT like the
flash of diamond, but presently the
boats rounded the point of Indian is
land. and Nan turned to her aunt.
| Well she announced briskly, 1--WE
are all alone for the day. Just think of
| that, auntie. We can imagine that We
| are original settlers and alone In the
tracxless wastes
Mrs. Edmond shivered at the sugges-
| ton.
| /"Don't child" she cried. .Is IT not
| enough that We should be left alone %
Its the most delicious thing that has
| happened this summer declared Nan
Just think of having the whole of this
beautiful lake all to ourselves. I'm
Queen of Quagmond lake and you are
the dowager queen, 1 guess. Let's clear
away the remains of our royal banquet -
Suiting the action to the word, Nan
briskly attacked the breakfast things,
washing them in the tiny brook that
went singing over the pebbles to the
waters of the lake. 1t did not take
long to dispose of the soiled things, and
presently the girl turned to her aunt
her nut-brown face glowing from the
exercise
What do you want to do, dear?" she
demanded
Whatever you wish" Mrs. Edmond
smiled into the radiant face softly franz
ed in the masses of soft hair II sup
pose that we had better wait until Mr..
Leland comes over"
''Wint Leland is not coming over"
said Nan decidedly. 81 want to go some
where now. Let's take a lunch and
climb the mountain. It's such a tiny
stop every little while. 1 hate to have
to climb and climb and climb the way
Whit Leland wants to-"
I'VE will do it your way" said Mrs.
Edmond gently. Shall we start at
once?'
You're the dearest auntie that ever
was" declared Nan, as she planted an
enthusiastic kiss upon the lady's with
cred cheek and danced off to prepare
the lunch. Mrs. Edmond noticed that
the girl kept scanning the lake and
guessed the cause. Nan was afraid that
in spite of the prohibition Winthrop
Leland might come padding around the
corner as he had done every morning
since the Rankin camp had been open
ed.
The rest of the party would never
nave gone across the lake had they
not supposed that Leland would be
there to do squire duty 1t was so like
Nan not to let them know. There
must nave been quarrel last night.
She let her troubled glance wander out
along the shore. but there was no sign
the tent flaps and plunged into the soft
green of the woods.
But even Squaw hill was something
of climb for Mrs. Edmond and. as
stops were frequent, it was well past
noon when they at last halted for lunch,
establishing themselves upon a grassy
plateau divided by a tiny stream that
later cut past the camp.
Both were hungry and the sa ndwiches
quickly vanished, but neither made a
move to go. Below, the lake glittered
like a sheet of FURNISHED silver in the
glare of the sun, giant salver framed
in the changing green Of the tree-clad
banks, Mrs. Edmond leaned back
against the huge rock and sighed con-
tentedly. Nan dropped down beside her
and rested her head against her aunt's
knee.
Its lovely up here" she said softly
II wish that we didn't have to go back
ever
young and too active to turn recluse.
Nan, BESIDES" with an alIusion to the
girls speech that morning. the queen
should not seclude herself from her
subjects"
mot even when the subject are I'M
ruly?" Nan asked with sigh.
''Then least of ALL counseled Mrs.
Edmond. 'She should restore har-
mony to her subjects and show her.
self truly ruler. What was the mat
ter last night, Nan 2"
The girl started and colored at the
directness of the question. She had
not meant such a literal application of
her remark.
''Wint fas horrid last night" she
said slowly, her glance directed toward
the tiny Indian island out in the lake.
HE was so certain that we could not
do without him that told him not to
come"
land then" a soft hand fell loving
1y upon the girls soft hair.
1,a a r
anyway, because he knew 1 never
could run the camp alone, and 1 told
him was perfectly able to run the
camp and care for you, and that I
and he said I probably never should,
and then he went away, and never
even said good night"
Did you expect him to come after
your rudeneSs ?" Mrs. EdmOnd's voice
gave no hint of the smile that was
playing about her lips and in the cor
ner of her eyes. Nan, looking straight
across the lake did not see.
HE might have been polite" she
said aggrievedly.
After you had been so discount
eous?"
''well,' she persisted. "He's SO i'm
build fire or cook bacon and things"
cit was very good of him to want to !
help. I think you should apologize to |
him" she counseied softly.
- Won l, SAID NAN InuInOuSly. |
Maybe" relenting a little, ct shall |
speak to him again, If he's very nice |
and humble, but 1 shan't apologize"
Then let US hope that he will not |
expect it, suggested Mrs. Edmond. |
"Shall we go on?" And they resumed |
their climb.
Nan was glad enough to rest before /
they reached the summit. Its differ
ent," she explained. as she threw her
self on the soft moss. when there is |
some one to help you I'D the rocks"
Even men have their uses,'' laugh |
ed Mrs. Edmond. What a beautiful
view we havesfrom here"
when you look out" said Nan /
grimly. When you look down and /