The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-06-13
QUEEN OF QUAGMoND.
By Epes. w. Sargent.


 Copyrighted. 1907. by MM. Cunning
 Far out on the blue expanse of water two black specks turned smaller and smaller fin the distance. Now and then the early morning sun caught the broad blades of the oars with a glint like the l. flash of a diamond. but pI Iesently the boats rounded the point of Indian island and Nan turned to her aunt.
 Well" she announced briskly, I've are original settlers and alone in the trackless wastes
 Mrs Edmond shivered at the sugges- tion.
 Don't child" she cried. 'Is 1t not enough that we should be left alone?
 It's the most delicious thing that has happened this summer" declared Man. Just think of having the whole of this beautiful lake all to our selves. I'm Queen of Quagmond lake and yau are the dowager queen. 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 vant singing over the pebbles to the waters of the lake. It 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 framed in the masses of soft hair. T suppose that we had better walt until MT Leland comes over"
 "Wint Leland is It coming over. said Nan decidedly. 'I want to go some- where now. Let's take lunch and climb the mountain. It's such tiny mountain. It won't tire you. We can stop every little while hate to have to climb and climb and climb the way Wint Leland wantsf to"
 eve will do 1t your way" said Mrs Edmond gently. Shall we start al once?"
 "You're the dearest auntie that ever was" declared Nan. as she planted an enthusiastic kiss Idpon the ladys with cred cheek and danced or 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 bave gone across the lake had they not supposed that Leland would be there to do squire duty. It was so like Nan not to let them know. There must have been 4 quarrel last niPht. She let heI troubled glance wander out along the shore. but there was no sign of the canoe and presently they tied the tent fans and plunged into the soft green oi | the woods.
 But even squaw hill was something | of a climb for Mrs. Edmond and, al | stons were frequent, it was well pas noon when they at last halted for lunch establishing themselves upon grassy | plateau divided by tiny stream tha | later cut past the camp. Roth were hungry al the sandwiche quickly vanished, but neither made { move to go. Below. the lake glitteret like A sheet of furnished silver in thu glare of the sun, giant salver framed l in the changing green of the tree-clat | hanks. Mrs Edmond leaned bacl against the huge rock and sighed con l tentedly. Nan dropped down beside he and rested her read against her aunts l knee.
 ''It's lovely up here.' she said softly "I wish that we didn't have to g l back-ever'
 You would tire of it.' said the eide woman with a smile. You are tot young and too active to turn recluse Nan, besides" with an aAusion to tn 1 girls speech that morning. the Queer